What Ink Does the HP OfficeJet 5255 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The HP OfficeJet 5255 uses HP 62 Black and HP 62 Tri-color ink cartridges. For a much lower cost per page, choose the HP 62XL high-yield versions, which print roughly 3x more pages than the standard cartridges.
HP OfficeJet 5255 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 OfficeJet 5255 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 home offices the matched HP 62XL pair gives the best cost per page.
Save on HP 62 and 62XL Ink
Castle Ink's compatible HP 62XL Black & Tri-Color 2-Pack fits the OfficeJet 5255 and every other printer in the HP 62 family. It ships free on orders over $50, ships same day if ordered by 2pm ET, and is backed by a 1-year 100% satisfaction guarantee. Compatible cartridges from Castle Ink typically save 50-70% versus the OEM HP version while delivering the same page yield.
How to Replace Ink in the HP OfficeJet 5255
- Make sure the printer is turned on. Open the front ink-cartridge access door 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 compatible cartridges after a firmware update: This is a known HP issue. From HP Smart, go to Printer Settings → Advanced and disable automatic firmware updates. If your compatibles are already blocked, contact Castle Ink support at 917-364-6232 and we'll help you get printing again.
Official HP OfficeJet 5255 Resources
- HP OfficeJet 5200 Series Support — hp.com (user manual, drivers, firmware)
- HP Smart App download (required for wireless setup and ink-level monitoring)
Bottom Line
The HP OfficeJet 5255 uses HP 62 or HP 62XL ink cartridges. If you print more than a few pages a week, the XL versions cut your cost per page roughly in half. Castle Ink's compatible HP 62XL 2-Pack ships free over $50 and is backed by a 1-year guarantee, making it the lowest-risk way to keep your OfficeJet 5255 printing without paying OEM prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use HP 62XL in an HP OfficeJet 5255 if it shipped with standard HP 62 setup cartridges?
Yes. The OfficeJet 5255 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 OfficeJet 5255 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 OfficeJet 5255?
HP rates the 62XL black at approximately 600 pages and the 62XL tri-color at approximately 415 pages, based on the ISO/IEC 24711 standard at 5% page coverage. Actual yield varies with print density and color usage.
Which other HP printers use HP 62 ink?
The HP 62 / 62XL family is also used by the HP Envy 5660, Envy 7640, Envy 5540, Envy 5640, OfficeJet 5740, OfficeJet 8040, and OfficeJet 200/250 mobile printers.
Why does my HP OfficeJet 5255 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.
Written and reviewed by William Elward — Founder of Castle Ink, 20+ years in the printer & imaging supplies industry.