What Ink Does the HP DeskJet F4480 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The HP DeskJet F4480 uses HP 60 ink: one black and one tri-color cartridge. The high-yield HP 60XL Black and HP 60XL Tri-Color print about 600 and 440 pages, roughly three times as many as standard HP 60.
CastleScore · October 2026
77/100 — Recommended
HP DeskJet F4480
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 78 | 4.00★ average across 289 ratings at Amazon (4.0) |
| Expert reviews (18%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (24%) | 85 | About 4.3¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured 60XL (600 / 440 pages). |
| Reliability (13%) | 85 | Most-reported problems: new cartridges trigger an 'E' error with blinking amber light and no printing; printer will not power off; output tray support gets stuck |
| Features (12%) | 50 | Print, copy, scan. No document feeder, no auto two-sided printing, no fax, no touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | 82 | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough published expert scores for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.
Discontinued. HP no longer makes the DeskJet F4480, but HP 60 and 60XL cartridges are still easy to find.
CastleScore is Castle Ink’s own editorial rating, built from retailer star ratings, expert reviews, real cost per page and owner complaint patterns, checked October 11, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
HP 60XL 2-packBlack + Tri-color
HP 60XL BlackCC641WN · ~600 pages
HP 60XL Tri-colorCC644WN · ~440 pages
HP 60XL 2-pack
HP 60XL Black
HP 60XL Tri-colorOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
HP DeskJet F4480 Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Part Number | Color | Approx. Page Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP 60 Black | CC640WN | Black | ~200 pages |
| HP 60 Tri-Color | CC643WN | Cyan / Magenta / Yellow | ~165 pages |
| HP 60XL Black | CC641WN | Black | ~600 pages |
| HP 60XL Tri-Color | CC644WN | Cyan / Magenta / Yellow | ~440 pages |
The same HP 60 / 60XL cartridges fit the whole DeskJet F4400 and F4500 series (F4435, F4440, F4450, F4480, F4500, F4580), the DeskJet 3050, D1600, D2500 and D2600 series, and the ENVY 100, 110 and 120.
The DeskJet F4480 is an older home all-in-one with print, scan and copy over USB. It is no longer made, but HP 60 cartridges for it are still easy to find.
Do not confuse HP 60 with HP 61 or HP 62. They look similar, but only HP 60 fits the DeskJet F4480.
How to Replace the Ink in the HP DeskJet F4480
- Turn the printer on and open the ink cartridge access door. Wait for the carriage to move to the center and stop.
- Press down lightly on the cartridge you are replacing to release it, then pull it up and out. The tri-color cartridge sits on the left, black on the right.
- Unwrap the new cartridge and pull off the plastic tape by its pink or orange tab. Do not touch the copper contacts or the ink nozzles.
- Slide the cartridge into its slot at a slight upward angle, contacts facing the printer, and push until it clicks into place.
- Close the access door. If the printer prints an alignment page, follow the prompts in the HP software on your computer.
Troubleshooting Tips
"Cartridge problem" or "incompatible cartridge": Remove the cartridge, wipe the copper contacts with a dry lint-free cloth, check that all the tape is off, and reseat it until it clicks. If the message stays, our HP cartridge not recognized guide walks through every HP message in order.
Streaks or missing colors: Run the printhead cleaning from the HP printer software on your computer (the F4480 is a USB-only printer). Two cycles usually clear a clog; if not, the cartridge itself is the likely culprit, because the printhead is built into it.
Low-ink warning on a new cartridge: Remanufactured cartridges reuse original HP chips, so the ink gauge can read low or show "?" while the cartridge is full. Judge by print quality, not the gauge.
What DeskJet F4480 owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, HP's support forum and owner reviews, answered in our words.
Can the F4480 print over Wi-Fi?
No. It has a single USB 2.0 port and no wireless or network connection, so it has to be plugged into a computer.
Does it print on both sides automatically?
No. Two-sided printing is manual: the driver prints one side and tells you how to reload the pages for the other.
How much paper does it hold?
About 80 sheets in the input tray and 15 in the output tray. It takes paper up to Legal size and No. 10 envelopes.
Why does the light blink amber with an "E" after I put in new cartridges?
Owners report this cartridge error even with fresh cartridges. Take each cartridge out, check that all the tape is off, wipe the copper contacts with a dry lint-free cloth and reseat it until it clicks.
Is the HP 60 tri-color rated at 150 or 165 pages?
Older retail listings show about 150 pages (and 420 for the 60XL). We use HP's current ratings of about 165 and 440.
DeskJet F4480 quirks worth knowing
- The copier makes at most 9 copies per job and resizes from 25% to 200%.
- Its rated duty cycle is only 3,000 pages a month, so it was built for light home use.
- The model number is printed at the top of the control panel. Check it there if you're not sure whether you have an F4480 or another F4400-series model; they all take HP 60.
- It predates HP+ and HP's dynamic-security firmware. We found no reports of it blocking remanufactured HP 60 cartridges, which keep the original HP chip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the HP DeskJet F4480 take HP 60 or HP 60XL?
Both fit the same slots. XL simply holds more ink.
Can I use HP 61 cartridges in the F4480?
No. HP 61 is a different shape and will not fit. Use HP 60 or HP 60XL.
Can I print with only one cartridge installed?
Many HP 60 printers can run in single-cartridge mode with only black or only tri-color installed, but print quality and speed drop. Replace the empty cartridge as soon as you can.
Does using remanufactured ink void my warranty?
No. The U.S. Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act stops HP from voiding your warranty just because you used third-party cartridges.
More HP ink guides: HP OfficeJet 3830 · HP Envy 5000 · HP OfficeJet Pro 8610 · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Epson EcoTank ET-2980 (cheapest to run) — CastleScore 90
- HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw (laser) — CastleScore 82
- HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e — CastleScore 79
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 11, 2026 and will change over time.
Need replacement HP ink cartridges? Shop HP ink cartridges at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.