What Ink Does the HP ENVY 6500e Use?

Quick answer: The HP ENVY 6500e series uses HP 68 ink — one black and one tri-color cartridge — with HP 68e EvoMore as the higher-capacity black. It does not use HP 67, even though older ENVY models with similar numbers (the 6055e and 6455e) do.

HP ENVY 6500e Ink Cartridges at a Glance

The ENVY 6500e series covers the ENVY 6520e, 6552e, 6555e and 6558e. All of them share the HP 68 cartridges with the smaller ENVY 6100e series (6152e, 6155e, 6165e). There is no XL tier in this family and no higher-capacity tri-color — HP 68e is a black-only upgrade.

The 6500e is a compact home all-in-one: print, scan and copy, automatic two-sided printing, a flatbed scanner, dual-band Wi-Fi and the HP Smart app. It is built to be cheap to buy, so the ink choice matters more than the printer price suggests.

The mistake to avoid: HP 67 and HP 68 look alike and the model numbers sit right next to each other. HP 67 fits the ENVY 6000 and 6400 series and the DeskJet 2700 and 4100 series. It will not seat in a 6500e. If a listing offers HP 67 for this printer, it is wrong.

Before You Buy: HP+ and the HP ENVY 6500e

The "e" in the model name means the HP ENVY 6500e was sold as an HP+-eligible printer. If HP+ was activated during setup, HP's terms require Original HP cartridges for the life of the printer, plus an HP account and an internet connection. Third-party cartridges — ours or anyone else's — will not work in an HP+ enrolled printer, and there is no published way to undo it. If HP+ was declined at setup, the printer behaves like a normal printer and compatible or remanufactured cartridges work. Not sure? Look for HP+ branding in the HP Smart app or on the printer's information page. Buying used? Ask the seller before you stock up on ink.

Where Castle Ink Stands on HP 68

We do not stock HP 68 or HP 68e yet. It is a newer family, and we would rather tell you that than sell you an HP 67 that will not fit. For now the safest buy is Original HP 68 — compare prices here: HP 68 ink on Amazon (as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases). If your printer is not HP+ enrolled and you choose a compatible, pick a seller that says its chips are current — see how to keep HP firmware updates from blocking your ink.

Running other HP, Canon, Epson or Brother printers too? We very likely stock their ink — look them up on our Find Ink by Printer page, or check the real cost per page with our printer ink cost calculator.

How to Replace Ink in the HP ENVY 6500e

1. Turn the printer on and open the front ink access door. Wait for the carriage to move to the center and stop.
2. Press down on the cartridge you are replacing to release it, then pull it toward you. Tri-color sits on the left, black on the right.
3. Unpack the new cartridge and pull off the plastic tape by its tab. Do not touch the copper contacts or the nozzles.
4. Slide the cartridge into its slot at a slight upward angle and push it forward until it snaps into place.
5. Close the door. Print and scan the alignment page if the printer or HP Smart asks for it.

Troubleshooting Tips

"Cartridge problem" or "incompatible cartridge": First check you are holding an HP 68, not an HP 67 — that is the most common cause by far. If the number is right, wipe the copper contacts with a dry lint-free cloth and reseat it firmly. On an HP+ enrolled printer, a non-HP cartridge will never clear this message.

Streaks or a missing color: Run "Clean Printhead" from HP Smart. The printhead is built into each cartridge, so if one or two cleanings do not fix it, the cartridge is the likely culprit. If one color is gone from the tri-color cartridge, that cartridge is empty — you cannot replace a single color.

Low-ink warning on a new printer: The in-box cartridges are lower-capacity setup cartridges. An early warning is normal.

Official HP ENVY 6500e Resources

• HP ENVY 6500e series support
• HP Customer Support — printers
• HP+ program terms

Bottom Line

The HP ENVY 6500e runs on HP 68, not HP 67. Buy the HP 68e black if you print text regularly, set grayscale as your default so routine documents never touch the tri-color cartridge, and check your HP+ status before you buy anything other than Original HP.

Written and reviewed by William Elward — Founder of Castle Ink, 20+ years in the printer & imaging supplies industry. Last updated October 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the HP ENVY 6555e use HP 67 or HP 68?
HP 68. The 6555e is part of the ENVY 6500e series, and every model in that series takes HP 68 / 68e.

Is there an HP 68XL?
No. HP's higher-capacity option in this family is the HP 68e EvoMore black. Anything sold as "68XL" is a third-party cartridge, not an HP part.

Can I use compatible HP 68 cartridges?
Only if HP+ was declined at setup. HP+ enrolled printers require Original HP cartridges.

Can I print with only one cartridge?
Yes. Single-cartridge mode keeps the printer going with only black or only tri-color installed, but quality drops. Treat it as a stopgap.

Does using compatible or remanufactured cartridges void my warranty?
No. Under the U.S. Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a manufacturer cannot void your printer warranty only because you used third-party cartridges. Damage proven to be caused by a specific cartridge would not be covered, but the rest of the warranty still applies.

Shop Compatible Ink at Castle Ink

Find the right cartridge for the HP ENVY 6500e and every other printer we cover on the Find Ink by Printer page, or work through a fault at our printer troubleshooting center.

Buy the HP ENVY 6500e on Amazon: HP ENVY 6500e on Amazon — as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

See also: printer says ink cartridge not recognized | faded or streaky prints | printer printing the wrong colors