What Ink Does the HP Photosmart 5520 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The HP Photosmart 5520 uses HP 564 ink: four separate cartridges in black, cyan, magenta and yellow. It does not use HP 62. For the lowest cost per page choose the high-yield HP 564XL Black (about 550 pages) and the HP 564XL cyan, magenta and yellow (about 750 pages each).
CastleScore · October 2026
77/100 — Recommended
HP Photosmart 5520
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | 77 | 3.97★ average across 1,334 ratings at Amazon (4.2), Amazon (3.6) |
| Expert reviews (18%) | 60 | PCMag 3.0/5 |
| Cost per page (24%) | 90 | About 2.7¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured 564XL (550 black / 750 color pages). |
| Reliability (13%) | 84 | Most-reported problems: printer reports one or more cartridges 'damaged or missing' even with new genuine HP cartridges, then stops printing some colors; black stops printing after a new black cartridge is installed even though the gauge reads full |
| Features (12%) | 69 | Print, copy, scan, auto two-sided printing, Wi-Fi, touchscreen. No document feeder, no fax. |
| Value (5%) | 84 | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Discontinued. HP no longer sells the Photosmart 5520 and points buyers to the ENVY 6055e. This score rates it for current owners.
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 10, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
HP 564XL 5-packBlack, Photo Black + C/M/Y
HP 564XL BlackCN684WN · ~550 pages
HP 564XL CyanCB323WN · ~750 pages
HP 564XL Photo BlackCB322WN
HP 564XL 5-pack
HP 564XL Black
HP 564XL Cyan
HP 564XL Photo BlackOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
HP Photosmart 5520 Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Part Number | Color | Approx. Page Yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP 564 Black | CB316WN | Black | ~250 pages |
| HP 564 Cyan / Magenta / Yellow | CB318WN / CB319WN / CB320WN | Cyan / Magenta / Yellow | ~300 pages each |
| HP 564XL Black | CN684WN (earlier CB321WN) | Black | ~550 pages |
| HP 564XL Cyan | CB323WN | Cyan | ~750 pages |
| HP 564XL Magenta | CB324WN | Magenta | ~750 pages |
| HP 564XL Yellow | CB325WN | Yellow | ~750 pages |
Correction: an earlier version of this guide said the Photosmart 5520 uses HP 62 cartridges. That was wrong. The Photosmart 5520 takes HP 564 cartridges; HP 62 fits printers such as the Envy 5540 and OfficeJet 5740.
The same HP 564 cartridges fit the rest of the Photosmart 5510 / 5520 series (5512, 5514, 5515, 5522, 5524, 5525), plus the DeskJet 3520, OfficeJet 4620 and Photosmart 6520 and 7520.
The Photosmart 5520 e-All-in-One is a four-ink wireless printer with print, scan and copy. It has no photo black slot, so you only need the black and the three colors. The printhead is a separate part inside the printer, so each cartridge is just an ink tank and you replace only the color that runs out.
Do not confuse HP 564 with HP 62 or HP 920. Outside the Americas the same printer takes a different number: HP 364 is the European equivalent of the 564. Only HP 564 fits the Photosmart 5520 sold in the U.S. You also do not need the HP 564 photo black, which is only used by five-ink models such as the Photosmart 6520 and 7520.
How to Replace the Ink in the HP Photosmart 5520
- Turn the printer on and open the ink cartridge access door. Wait for the carriage to stop.
- Press the tab on the front of the cartridge you are replacing and lift it out of its slot. Each color sits in its own labeled slot.
- Unwrap the new cartridge and twist off the orange cap. Do not touch the copper contacts.
- Push the cartridge into its matching color slot until the tab clicks.
- Close the door and let the printer finish initializing before you print.
Troubleshooting Tips
"Cartridge problem" or "incompatible cartridge": Lift the cartridge out, check the copper contacts are clean and dry, and push it back until the tab clicks. If the message stays, our HP cartridge not recognized guide walks through every HP message in order.
Streaks or missing colors: Run Clean Printhead from the printer's Tools menu on the touchscreen. Because the printhead is separate, a stubborn missing color after two or three cleanings usually means a clogged printhead rather than a bad cartridge.
Low-ink warning on a new cartridge: Remanufactured cartridges reuse original HP chips, so the gauge can read low or show "?" while the cartridge is full. Judge by print quality, not the gauge.
Printer won't print with one color empty: The 5520 needs all four cartridges installed and working, even for black-only printing, so replace an empty color promptly.
What Photosmart 5520 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.
The printer says a cartridge is damaged or missing, even a new HP one. What should I check?
Turn the printer off and unplug it, then check the electrical contacts on the printhead for ink or debris. The printhead is a separate part in the 5520, so dirty contacts there can make a good cartridge look bad.
Black stopped printing after I put in a new cartridge. Why?
HP's forum advice is to run Clean Printhead from the printer's tools menu two or three times. If black still doesn't print, try a different black cartridge.
Will it connect to a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network?
No. HP says the 5520's Wi-Fi works only with 2.4 GHz routers.
Can I print without a router or a computer?
Yes. It supports HP wireless direct printing from a phone, and it prints straight from Memory Stick Duo and SD/MMC cards.
Is the Photosmart 5520 still sold, and what replaced it?
HP lists it as discontinued and points to the HP ENVY 6055e.
Photosmart 5520 quirks worth knowing
- Full sets of HP 564XL colors are getting harder to find new. HP's current 4-pack (N9H60FN) pairs a 564XL black with standard 564 colors, so check the pack before you buy.
- The paper trays are small: 80 sheets in, 15 sheets out. It does print two-sided automatically, but the scanner is a flatbed only, with no document feeder.
- HP's 2026 cartridge changes (the HP 63/65 merger and the HP 61 refresh) don't touch the HP 564, so nothing changes for 5520 owners.
- HP rates it at 11 pages a minute in black and 8 in color on its ISO test, well below the 23/22 ppm draft-mode figures on the box.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the HP Photosmart 5520 use HP 62 ink?
No. It uses HP 564. HP 62 cartridges will not fit.
How many ink cartridges does the Photosmart 5520 use?
Four: black, cyan, magenta and yellow. There is no photo black slot.
Is CB321WN the same as CN684WN?
Yes. Both are the HP 564XL black; HP changed the part number. Either fits the 5520.
Can I mix standard and XL cartridges?
Yes. HP 564 and HP 564XL fit the same slots, so you can use an XL black with standard colors or any other combination.
Does using remanufactured ink void my warranty?
No. The U.S. Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act stops HP from voiding your warranty just because you used third-party cartridges.
Other printers that use HP 564
HP Photosmart 7520 · HP Photosmart 7510 · HP Photosmart 6510 · HP OfficeJet 4620 · HP Photosmart 6520 · HP DeskJet 3520 · HP Photosmart B110
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 10, 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.