What Ink Does the HP ENVY 6500e Use?
Last Updated:Correction (October 2026): an earlier version of this guide said that if HP+ was declined, the 6500e behaves like a normal printer and compatible cartridges work. HP's datasheet says the printer uses dynamic security, which can block cartridges with non-HP chips with or without HP+. The guide also listed an "ENVY 6520e", which doesn't exist (there is a non-e 6520), and left out the 35-sheet document feeder.
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.
CastleScore · October 2026
63/100 — Situational
HP ENVY 6500e
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 78 | 4.02★ average across 4,475 ratings at Amazon (3.7), Best Buy (4.4), Walmart (4.1) |
| Expert reviews (18%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (24%) | 26 | About 18.8¢ per page blended (black + color) with Original HP 68 at retail prices (we don't sell HP 68). Docked because the printer can reject cartridges without the maker's chip. |
| Reliability (13%) | 87 | Most-reported problems: cartridge problem / 'cartridges not communicating correctly' error after only a few pages, even with the in-box HP cartridges on an Instant Ink unit. HP's only advice was power-cycle, firmware and Print and Scan Doctor |
| Features (12%) | 77 | Print, copy, scan, document feeder, auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, touchscreen. No fax. |
| Value (5%) | 57 | Running cost and owner satisfaction against a street price of about $99 |
Limited data: We could not find enough published expert scores for this printer, so that weight is spread across the other pillars.
Still sold new. The 6555e is at Office Depot, Adorama and Micro Center, and B&H had the non-e ENVY 6555 at $99.99 when we checked.
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 12, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
Why there is no Castle Ink cartridge for this printer
We don't sell HP 68 or HP 68e. It is a newer cartridge family, and the 6500e is an HP dynamic-security printer, so cartridges with non-HP chips can be blocked with or without HP+. Third-party HP 68 cartridges have only been around since September 2025. We would rather tell you that than sell you a cartridge that may stop working, or an HP 67 that won't fit.
Buy Original HP 68 black (7FP21TN, about 160 pages) and tri-color (7FP20TN, about 120 pages). If you print mostly text, the HP 68e EvoMore black (7FP22TN, about 320 pages) doubles the pages per cartridge. There is no larger tri-color.
HP ENVY 6500e Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Part Number | Color | Approx. Page Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP 68 Black | 7FP21TN | Black | ~160 pages |
| HP 68 Tri-Color | 7FP20TN | Cyan / Magenta / Yellow | ~120 pages |
| HP 68e EvoMore Black | 7FP22TN | Black (higher capacity) | ~320 pages |
| HP 68 Black + Tri-Color 2-pack | 6L6S2TN | Black + Tri-Color | — |
The ENVY 6500e series covers the ENVY 6552e, 6555e and 6558e, plus non-e versions such as the 6520, 6530, 6552, 6555 and 6558. 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, send-only mobile fax through the HP app, automatic two-sided printing, a flatbed plus a 35-sheet document feeder, and dual-band Wi-Fi. The document feeder is what sets it apart from the flatbed-only 6100e series. 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 will not work in an HP+ enrolled printer, and there is no published way to undo it. Declining HP+ does not make every cartridge work: the 6500e uses HP dynamic security, which can block cartridges with modified or non-HP chips, and HP says firmware updates may block cartridges that worked before. Cartridges that reuse the original HP chip are the safer choice. 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.
How to Replace Ink in the HP ENVY 6500e
- Turn the printer on and open the front ink access door. Wait for the carriage to move to the center and stop.
- Press down on the cartridge you are replacing to release it, then pull it toward you.
- Unpack the new cartridge and pull off the plastic tape by its tab. Do not touch the copper contacts or the nozzles.
- Slide the cartridge into its slot at a slight upward angle and push it forward until it snaps into place.
- 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, and without HP+ a cartridge with a non-HP chip can still be blocked.
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 setup cartridges rated at about 120 pages black and 75 tri-color. An early warning is normal.
What ENVY 6500e 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.
Does the 6500e have an automatic document feeder?
Yes. It has a 35-sheet feeder that takes originals up to 8.5 x 14 in, plus a flatbed. It scans one side of each page.
Can it send faxes?
Only through the HP app's mobile fax, which is send-only. There is no fax modem or phone port.
Can I print on legal-size paper?
No. The largest print size is 8.5 x 12 in (8.5 x 11.7 in for two-sided), even though the feeder can scan legal originals.
Can I connect it with an Ethernet cable?
No. It has dual-band Wi-Fi and one USB 2.0 port only.
How much can I print on it each month?
HP rates it for up to 1,000 pages a month but recommends 100 to 400. It prints up to 10 pages a minute black and 7 color.
ENVY 6500e quirks worth knowing
- The setup cartridges in the box are rated at about 120 pages black and 75 tri-color, so an early low-ink warning is normal.
- The black ink is pigment-based for sharp text, and the tri-color is dye-based.
- HP's datasheet says the printer works with cartridges that have new or reused HP chips, which covers remanufactured cartridges. Modified or non-HP chips can be blocked, and firmware updates may block cartridges that worked before.
- Some owners on HP's forum have seen a "cartridge problem" error after only a few pages, even with HP's own in-box cartridges. HP's suggestions were to power-cycle the printer and run HP Print and Scan Doctor.
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 remanufactured or remanufactured HP 68 cartridges?
Not with HP+, which requires Original HP cartridges. Without HP+, dynamic security can still block cartridges with modified or non-HP chips. Remanufactured cartridges that reuse the original HP chip are the safer choice.
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.
Other printers that use HP 68
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 12, 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.