What Ink Does the HP Envy 5540 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The HP Envy 5540 All-in-One uses HP 62 Black and HP 62 Tri-color ink cartridges. The HP 62XL high-yield versions fit the same slots: about 600 pages for black (vs 200) and 415 for tri-color (vs 165).
CastleScore · October 2026
75/100 — Recommended
HP Envy 5540
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 78 | 4.00★ average across 1,224 ratings at Amazon (4.0) |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 60 | PCMag 3.0/5 |
| Cost per page (24%) | 84 | About 4.6¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured 62XL (600 / 415 pages). |
| Reliability (13%) | — | Not enough owner complaint data to score. |
| Features (12%) | 69 | Print, copy, scan, auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, touchscreen. No document feeder, no fax. |
| Value (5%) | 81 | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough owner complaint data for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.
Discontinued. HP no longer sells the Envy 5540 new (U.S. model K7C85A). HP 62 and 62XL cartridges are still sold.
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 8, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
HP 62XL 2-packC2P05AN + C2P07AN
HP 62XL BlackC2P05AN · ~600 pages
HP 62XL Tri-colorC2P07AN · ~415 pages
HP 62XL 2-pack
HP 62XL Black
HP 62XL Tri-colorOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
HP Envy 5540 Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Part Number | Approx. Page Yield |
|---|---|---|
| HP 62 Black (standard) | C2P04AN | ~200 pages |
| HP 62 Tri-color (standard) | C2P06AN | ~165 pages |
| HP 62XL Black (high-yield) | C2P05AN | ~600 pages |
| HP 62XL Tri-color (high-yield) | C2P07AN | ~415 pages |
The HP Envy 5540 takes one black and one tri-color cartridge at a time. You can mix yields — for example, an XL black with a standard tri-color — but for most households the matched HP 62XL pair gives the best cost per page.
How to Replace Ink in the HP Envy 5540
- Make sure the printer is turned on. Open the cartridge access door on the front of the printer and wait for the carriage to slide to the center and stop.
- Press down gently on the front of the cartridge you want to replace, then pull it up and out of its slot. The black cartridge sits in the right slot; the tri-color sits on the left.
- Remove the new cartridge from its packaging and pull the orange plastic tab to remove the protective tape. Do not touch the copper contacts or the ink nozzles.
- Slide the new cartridge into its slot at a slight upward angle, then press down until it clicks into place.
- Close the access door. The printer will run a short alignment routine — print the alignment page when prompted and follow the on-screen instructions in HP Smart.
Troubleshooting Tips
"Cartridge not detected" or "Incompatible cartridge" error: Power the printer off, remove the cartridge, wipe the copper contacts gently with a dry lint-free cloth, reseat firmly until it clicks, then power back on. If the message persists, remove and reinstall both cartridges to reset the connection.
Streaky, faded, or missing colors: Run the printer's built-in cleaning cycle from HP Smart (Printer Settings → Maintenance → Clean Cartridges). Two cleaning cycles usually clears clogged nozzles. If streaks remain after three cleanings, the cartridge is likely empty or the nozzles are permanently dry.
Alignment page prints blank: Check that you removed the protective tape from the new cartridge. Re-seat the cartridge and try the alignment again from Printer Settings → Maintenance → Align Cartridges.
Printer rejects a cartridge after a firmware update: HP has used firmware updates to block cartridges with non-HP chips on some printers. Our remanufactured HP 62XL cartridges keep the original HP chip, but turning off automatic firmware updates in the printer's settings is still a sensible precaution. If a cartridge from us stops being recognized, contact Castle Ink support at 917-364-6232.
What Envy 5540 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 it print on both sides automatically?
Yes. HP lists automatic two-sided printing.
Does it have a document feeder or fax?
No. It has a flatbed scanner only, with no fax and no Ethernet. It connects over Wi-Fi or USB.
How fast does it print?
HP rates it at up to 12 pages per minute black and 8 color (ISO).
Can I print photos on it?
Yes. It has a separate photo tray for 4 x 6 paper and supports borderless printing.
Can I use HP Instant Ink with it?
Yes. The Envy 5540 is Instant Ink eligible, and HP's own HP 62 pages now lead with Instant Ink pricing.
Envy 5540 quirks worth knowing
- HP's 62XL page yields were measured in an Envy 5640, not the 5540. Expect the same cartridge, but treat the page counts as a guide rather than a promise.
- The XL gain is not the same for both cartridges: black goes from about 200 to 600 pages (3x), tri-color from about 165 to 415 (about 2.5x).
- HP's 2026 cartridge changes (the HP 63/65 merger and the HP 61 refresh) don't affect the HP 62. Your Envy 5540 takes the same 62 and 62XL cartridges as before.
- It is a pre-HP+ model, so there is no HP+ Original-ink requirement on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use HP 62XL in an HP Envy 5540 if it shipped with standard HP 62 setup cartridges?
Yes. The Envy 5540 accepts both HP 62 standard and HP 62XL high-yield cartridges interchangeably. The XL versions are the same physical size — they just hold more ink.
Will compatible HP 62XL cartridges void my HP Envy 5540 warranty?
No. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act in the United States, using third-party ink does not void your printer warranty. HP can only deny warranty coverage if the third-party cartridge directly caused a specific failure.
How many pages does an HP 62XL cartridge print in the Envy 5540?
HP rates the 62XL black at approximately 600 pages and the 62XL tri-color at approximately 415 pages under the ISO/IEC 24711 test (HP ran it in an Envy 5640). Actual yield varies with print density and color usage.
Which other HP printers use HP 62 ink?
HP's 62XL compatibility list includes the HP Envy 5660, Envy 7640, OfficeJet 5740 (and 5741, 5743, 5744), OfficeJet 8040, and the OfficeJet 200 and 250 Mobile printers. The Photosmart 5520 is not on HP's list.
Why does my HP Envy 5540 keep saying low ink right after I install a new cartridge?
HP's ink-level estimator is based on usage telemetry, not a physical ink gauge. After installing a new cartridge, the estimator can take a few print jobs to recalibrate. Ignore the warning unless print quality actually degrades.
Other printers that use HP 62
HP Envy 7640 · HP Envy 5660 · HP OfficeJet 5740 · HP DeskJet 4530 · HP OfficeJet 250 · HP ENVY 7645 · HP ENVY 5642 · HP OfficeJet 200
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 8, 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.