What Ink Does the HP Envy 5640 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The HP Envy 5640 uses two cartridges: HP 62 black and HP 62 tri-color, or the high-yield HP 62XL versions (about 600 black and 415 color pages). Castle Ink's remanufactured 62XL black is $22.99 and 62XL tri-color is $23.99.
CastleScore · October 2026
74/100 — Recommended
HP Envy 5640
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| 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%) | 81 | Most-reported problems: 'Photo tray is blocked' error stops printing; cartridge communication error after a cartridge change; carriage-jam / false paper-jam errors with nothing stuck on the 5540/5660 siblings, often ending in a hardware diagnosis |
| Features (12%) | 69 | Print, copy, scan, auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, touchscreen. No document feeder, no fax. |
| Value (5%) | — | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.
Discontinued. Retailers list the Envy 5640 as end of life, and we couldn't confirm a direct successor. 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 11, 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.
What Ink Cartridges Does the HP Envy 5640 Use?
| Cartridge | Color | Approx. yield | Castle Ink |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP 62 | Black | ~200 pages | Upgrade to 62XL |
| HP 62 | Tri-color (C/M/Y) | ~165 pages | Upgrade to 62XL |
| HP 62XL (C2P05AN) | Black | ~600 pages | 62XL black, $22.99 |
| HP 62XL (C2P07AN) | Tri-color | ~415 pages | 62XL tri-color, $23.99 |
| HP 62XL set | Black + tri-color | One of each | 62XL 2-pack |
Yields are the manufacturer's ISO estimates at about 5% coverage; photos and heavy graphics use more ink. Castle Ink prices checked September 2026.
Which Printers Use the Same Ink as the Envy 5640?
HP 62/62XL cartridges also fit the Envy 5540, 5542, 5544, 5545, 5547, 5548, 5549, 5642, 5643, 5644, 5660, 5663, 5664, 5665, 7640, 7644 and 7645, and the OfficeJet 200 Mobile, 250 Mobile, 258 Mobile, 5740, 5741, 5742, 5744, 5745, 5746 and 8040. Look up any model in our find ink by printer directory.
What Is the Cheapest Ink for the Envy 5640?
Remanufactured HP 62XL cartridges are the cheapest reliable option. In October 2026 Staples listed the original HP 62XL black at $62.89. Castle Ink's remanufactured 62XL black ($22.99) and tri-color ($23.99) are built from genuine HP shells with the printhead included in the cartridge, so you get a fresh printhead with every one.
Should I Buy HP 62 or HP 62XL?
62XL. The XL black prints about three times as many pages as the standard 62 black, and the XL tri-color about two and a half times as many, for much less than three times the price. Standard 62 only makes sense if you print so little that ink might dry out first.
How Do I Replace the Ink in the HP Envy 5640?
- Turn the printer on and open the cartridge access door; the carriage moves to the center.
- Press down on the empty cartridge to release it, then pull it out of its slot.
- Remove the new cartridge from its package and pull off the plastic tape by the pink tab. Don't touch the copper contacts or nozzles.
- Slide the cartridge into its slot (tri-color left, black right) and push until it snaps into place.
- Close the door and follow the prompt to print and scan an alignment page.
Will Remanufactured Ink Work in the Envy 5640?
Yes. Our remanufactured 62XL cartridges are built from original HP cartridges and keep the original HP chip. We found no sign that HP's dynamic security applies to the Envy 5640: an HP expert said the related Envy 5540 wasn't affected by that firmware change. Two settings can still get in the way. HP Cartridge Protection can lock a cartridge to the first printer it was used in, and you can turn it off in the printer's Embedded Web Server. And if the printer is enrolled in HP Instant Ink, it only accepts subscription cartridges until you cancel. Using third-party ink doesn't void your warranty, but HP won't cover damage it attributes to that ink (here's why).
Why Does My Envy 5640 Say the Cartridge Isn't Recognized?
Remove the cartridge, make sure all protective tape and caps are off, wipe the chip or copper contacts gently with a dry lint-free cloth, and reinstall until it clicks. Confirm the part number matches this printer, then restart. If a cartridge that worked in another printer is refused, HP Cartridge Protection may have locked it to that printer. Full steps: ink cartridge not recognized.
How Do I Fix Streaky or Faded Prints on the Envy 5640?
Open HP Smart (or the printer's Tools/Printer Maintenance menu) and run Clean Printhead, then print a quality report. One or two cycles usually clear minor clogs. See faded or streaky prints.
What Are the HP Envy 5640's Key Features?
The Envy 5640 is a wireless all-in-one (print, scan, copy) for homes, with automatic two-sided printing, a 2.65-inch touchscreen, a dedicated photo tray, Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Direct, and AirPrint, Mopria and HP Smart app support. Wi-Fi is 802.11b/g/n, and it has a USB 2.0 port and an SD card reader.
Is the Envy 5640 Still Worth Using in 2026?
Yes, if it still prints reliably. The Envy 5640 is discontinued, but HP 62/62XL cartridges are still available, and because the printhead is built into each cartridge, a new cartridge often fixes print-quality problems. Compare current models in our printer buying guide, or take the ~60-second PrinterIQ Finder quiz.
For drivers and the manual, visit the HP Envy 5640 support page.
HP Envy 5640 Ink FAQs
What ink does the HP Envy 5640 use?
HP 62 black and HP 62 tri-color cartridges, or the high-yield HP 62XL versions.
Can I use HP 62XL in the Envy 5640?
Yes. XL cartridges fit the same slots and print about 600 black or 415 color pages.
Can the Envy 5640 print with only one cartridge?
Yes. HP's single-cartridge mode lets it keep printing if one cartridge is removed, though output quality and speed may suffer. Replace the missing cartridge soon.
Is HP 62 the same as HP 63 or HP 65?
No. HP 63, HP 65 and HP's new combined HP 63/65 cartridges are for other HP printers and won't fit the Envy 5640.
Does the Envy 5640 support AirPrint?
Yes, along with Mopria and the HP Smart app.
Are remanufactured cartridges safe for the Envy 5640?
Yes, from a reputable seller. See are compatible ink cartridges safe?
Related guides: how to check HP ink levels | fixing an "incompatible" HP cartridge
Need help choosing? Contact us with your printer model. Orders placed by 4 PM ET Monday–Friday ship the same day, with free shipping over $50.
What ENVY 5640 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.
It says the photo tray is blocked. What do I do?
Pull out the input tray and check that the grey photo-tray guide tabs sit under the black main guides on both sides. Refit the output tray, try printing without the output tray if it still complains, and unplug the printer for 60 seconds.
I get a cartridge error right after changing a cartridge. Is it a firmware problem?
Probably not. In one HP Community case an HP rep traced it to a defective color cartridge and said there was no firmware issue with the Envy 5640.
Can it print photos without swapping the paper?
Yes. It has a separate 4 x 6 photo tray above the 125-sheet main tray.
Does it have fax or Ethernet?
No to both. It prints, scans and copies over Wi-Fi or USB.
Can I print from a memory card or USB stick?
From an SD card, yes: it has a card reader. It can't print from a USB drive.
ENVY 5640 quirks worth knowing
- HP Cartridge Protection can lock a cartridge to the first printer it was used in. Turn it off in the printer's Embedded Web Server if you move cartridges between printers.
- Two-sided printing is automatic but slow. Tech Advisor found it cut print speed by about 42%.
- The output tray holds only 25 sheets, and reviewers found the touchscreen's small icons slow to respond.
- The UK version of the Envy 5640 takes different cartridge numbers. In the U.S. it is HP 62 or 62XL.
Other printers that use HP 62
HP ENVY 7645 · HP Envy 5540 · HP ENVY 5642 · HP OfficeJet 5740 · HP Envy 7640
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.