What Ink Does the HP ENVY Inspire 7900e Use?

Correction (October 2026): an earlier version of this guide said the ENVY Inspire 7920e and 7220e take HP 64. They are European models that use HP 303/303XL. In the U.S., HP 64 fits the ENVY Inspire 7255e, 7955e and 7958e, the ENVY Photo 6255, 7155, 7855, 7275 and 7975, and HP Tango models.

Quick answer: The HP ENVY Inspire 7900e uses HP 64 ink — one black and one tri-color cartridge — with HP 64XL (HP 64XL Black and HP 64XL Tri-Color) as the high-yield option. It does not use HP 67. HP 64XL black prints about 600 pages compared with about 200 for standard HP 64.

The cartridges, pictured

• HP 64XL 2-packBlack + Tri-color
• HP 64XL BlackN9J92AN · ~600 pages
• HP 64XL Tri-colorN9J91AN · ~415 pages

Our own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.

HP ENVY Inspire 7900e Ink Cartridges at a Glance

HP 64, not HP 67. This is the most common mistake with the ENVY Inspire printers. The newer ENVY 6000 and DeskJet 2700/4100 series use HP 67, but the ENVY Inspire 7900e series uses HP 64. In the U.S., the same HP 64 / 64XL cartridges fit the ENVY Inspire 7955e, 7958e and 7255e, the ENVY Photo 6255, 7155, 7855, 7275 and 7975, and HP Tango models. The European ENVY Inspire 7920e and 7220e take HP 303/303XL instead.

Important — HP+ warning: The "e" in HP ENVY Inspire 7900e means it was sold for HP+. If you activated HP+ during setup, the printer is locked to Original HP cartridges for its lifetime, and HP Community experts say HP+ can't be removed. If you skipped HP+, there is still a limit: HP says this printer is intended to work only with cartridges that have new or reused HP electronic circuitry, and it uses firmware updates (dynamic security) to block the rest. Remanufactured cartridges that reuse the original HP chip, like ours, are the ones that work — see how to keep HP firmware updates from blocking your ink and our HP Instant Ink vs. compatible cartridges breakdown before you buy.

The HP ENVY Inspire 7900e is a photo-focused home all-in-one (print, scan, copy) with a 35-sheet document feeder, automatic two-sided printing and a separate photo tray, which is why ink costs add up quickly for photo printing.

How to Replace Ink in the HP ENVY Inspire 7900e

1. Turn the printer on and open the ink cartridge access door on the front of the printer. Wait for the carriage to move to the center and stop.
2. Press down lightly on the cartridge you are replacing to release it, then pull it out toward you. The tri-color cartridge sits on the left, black on the right.
3. Take the new cartridge out of its packaging and pull off the plastic tape by its pink or orange tab. Do not touch the copper contacts or the ink nozzles.
4. Slide the cartridge into its slot at a slight upward angle, nozzles facing the printer, and push it forward until it snaps into place.
5. Close the access door. The printer may print an alignment page — scan it if the control panel or HP Smart app asks you to.

Troubleshooting Tips

"Cartridge problem" right after installing new ink: First confirm you installed HP 64, not HP 67. Next, check whether HP+ is active (look for it in the HP Smart app). If HP+ is on, the printer accepts only Original HP cartridges. If HP+ is off, check that the cartridge carries an HP chip, because cartridges with a third-party chip are blocked either way. Then wipe the copper contacts and reseat the cartridge.

Streaks or missing colors: Run "Clean Printheads" from the HP Smart app or the printer's Tools menu. The printhead is built into each cartridge on this printer, so if one cleaning cycle does not fix it, the cartridge itself is the likely culprit.

Low-ink warning on a brand-new printer: The cartridges that ship in the box are lower-yield setup cartridges. That early warning is normal — it is not a fault.

What ENVY Inspire 7900e 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 scan both sides of a page automatically?

No. The 35-sheet document feeder scans one side only. If you need two-sided scanning, Best Buy points buyers to HP's OfficeJet Pro 9000 series instead.

Is there a separate printhead I should replace?

No. The printhead is built into each HP 64 cartridge, so you get a new one every time you change a cartridge.

Does it need an internet connection to scan?

Tom's Guide found that scanning ran through HP's software and needed an internet connection, and listed it as a drawback.

It says "Photo tray blocked" or "Out of paper" when paper is loaded. What fixes it?

The fix HP support accepted on its forum: reseat the paper and the photo tray, clean the pick rollers with a lint-free cloth, switch the printer off for at least 15 seconds, then update the firmware through HP Smart.

Can I turn HP+ off later to use cheaper cartridges?

In practice, no. HP Community experts say HP+ can't be removed once it is enabled. Even without HP+, HP says this printer is meant to work only with cartridges that carry HP electronics, so look for remanufactured cartridges that reuse the HP chip.

ENVY Inspire 7900e quirks worth knowing

• "ENVY Inspire 7900e" is the series name. The models sold in the U.S. are the 7955e and 7958e, and both take HP 64. The European 7920e and 7220e look similar but take HP 303.
• It has a separate 15-sheet photo tray on top of the 125-sheet main tray, and it prints square and panoramic photo sizes.
• HP launched it as its first printer certified to work with Chromebook, with a quiet mode for home use.
• HP's 2026 cartridge changes (the HP 63/65 merger and the refreshed HP 61) do not touch HP 64. The cartridges and yields for this printer are unchanged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the HP ENVY Inspire 7900e use HP 64 or HP 67?
HP 64. HP 67 is for the ENVY 6000/6400 and DeskJet 2700/4100 series and will not fit.

Will compatible HP 64XL cartridges work in the HP ENVY Inspire 7900e?
Only if HP+ was not activated during setup, and only if the cartridge carries an HP chip. Remanufactured HP 64XL cartridges that keep the original HP chip work; cartridges with a third-party chip are blocked. If HP+ is active, the printer only accepts Original HP cartridges.

Does using remanufactured cartridges void my warranty?
No. Under the U.S. Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, HP cannot void your printer warranty only because you used compatible or remanufactured cartridges. HP+ is a separate restriction you agree to during setup.

How are these page yields measured?
They are approximate figures based on HP's ISO/IEC 24711 testing. Photo printing uses far more ink than text.

Other printers that use HP 64

HP Envy Inspire 7955e · HP ENVY Photo 7858 · HP ENVY Photo 6255 · HP ENVY Inspire 7255e · HP ENVY Photo 7975

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 7, 2026 and will change over time.

• HP ENVY Inspire 7955e product page (specs, cartridge policy)
• HP 64XL black cartridge page (yield, compatible printers)
• Tom's Guide ENVY Inspire 7955e review
• Best Buy ENVY Inspire 7955e ratings
• HP Community: removing HP+
• HP Community: "Photo tray blocked" fix