What Ink Does the HP Photosmart 6520 Use?
Last Updated:The HP Photosmart 6520 uses HP 564 and HP 564XL ink cartridges in black, photo black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. The high-yield 564XL cartridges deliver about 550 black pages and 750 color pages — roughly 2x the page yield of standard HP 564s and the best value for a photo-capable all-in-one.
HP Photosmart 6520 Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Color | Approx. Page Yield |
|---|---|---|
| HP 564 | Black | ~250 pages |
| HP 564 | Cyan / Magenta / Yellow | ~300 pages each |
| HP 564 | Photo Black | ~130 photos (4x6) |
| HP 564XL | Black | ~550 pages |
| HP 564XL | Cyan / Magenta / Yellow | ~750 pages each |
Save on HP 564XL Ink for the Photosmart 6520
Genuine HP 564XL cartridges can run over $80 for a full BCMY set. Castle Ink's compatible HP 564XL BCMY High-Yield Bundle matches OEM page yield at a fraction of the price, ships free in the U.S., and is backed by a 1-year quality guarantee. If you print a lot of photos, add the HP 564XL Photo Black cartridge for richer 4x6 prints.
How to Replace Ink in the HP Photosmart 6520
- Power on the printer and lift the front ink cartridge access door — the carriage will slide to the center.
- Press down lightly on the empty cartridge and pull it straight up and out toward you.
- Remove the new cartridge from its packaging and pull the orange tab to remove the protective tape. Do not touch the gold contacts or ink nozzles.
- Slide the new cartridge into its color-coded slot (the printer has 5 slots: black, photo black, cyan, magenta, yellow) until it clicks firmly into place.
- Close the access door. The printer will automatically align the new cartridge and may print a calibration page.
Troubleshooting Tips
Cartridge not recognized: Remove the cartridge, gently wipe the gold contacts with a dry lint-free cloth, and reinsert it firmly. Restart the printer if the error persists.
Streaks or faded prints: Run the print head cleaning utility from the Photosmart 6520's touchscreen (Setup → Tools → Clean Printhead). One or two cycles usually clears clogged nozzles.
"Used or counterfeit" warnings: Some HP firmware updates may display warnings for compatible cartridges. Click OK or Continue to dismiss — print quality and yield are not affected.
Low-ink alerts too early: HP's ink-level meter often warns well before a cartridge is empty. Keep printing until quality drops before swapping cartridges.
Official HP Resources
Bottom Line
The HP Photosmart 6520 uses HP 564 and HP 564XL ink cartridges. The XL version is the better value for almost every household — it roughly doubles your page yield for a few dollars more. Castle Ink's compatible HP 564XL BCMY bundle delivers OEM-equivalent yield at a much lower cost, with free U.S. shipping and a 1-year guarantee — shop the HP 564XL bundle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use HP 564 standard cartridges in the Photosmart 6520? Yes. The Photosmart 6520 accepts both HP 564 and HP 564XL. The XL version just holds more ink for a lower cost-per-page.
Do I need the photo black cartridge to print photos? No, but it produces noticeably richer 4x6 photo prints. The printer will use the standard black cartridge for photos if photo black is missing.
Will compatible HP 564XL cartridges void my printer warranty? No. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, using compatible cartridges does not void your HP warranty.
Why does my printer say the cartridge is empty when it isn't? HP printers estimate ink levels conservatively. You can usually keep printing for dozens of pages after the low-ink warning appears.
Does Castle Ink offer free shipping on HP 564XL? Yes — all U.S. orders ship free, and every cartridge is covered by a 1-year quality guarantee.