What Ink Does the HP Photosmart C4280 Use?
Last Updated:CastleScore · October 2026
69/100 — Situational
HP Photosmart C4280
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| Expert reviews (18%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (24%) | 90 | About 3¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured 74XL (750 pages) and 75XL (520 pages). |
| Reliability (13%) | 82 | Most-reported problems: repeated 'Carriage Jam' error with no physical obstruction: paper feeds partway and stops, so the unit cannot print or copy; 'Print cartridge incorrectly installed' error persists after fitting a new genuine HP 74 and reseating/power-cycling; sudden loud clattering from the carriage during a print job, after which the printer misbehaves |
| Features (12%) | 50 | Print, copy, scan. No document feeder, no auto two-sided printing, no fax, no touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | — | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings or published expert scores for this printer, so those weights are spread across the other pillars. With neither owner ratings nor a published expert score, we cap this printer at 69 (Situational) until better data is available.
Discontinued. HP stopped selling the C4280 long ago (Icecat lists an end-of-life date of June 2011) and names no successor. HP 74/75 cartridges are still sold.
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 74XL + 75XL 2-packBlack + Tri-color
HP 74XL BlackCB336WN · ~750 pages
HP 75XL Tri-colorCB338WN · ~520 pages
HP 74XL + 75XL 2-pack
HP 74XL Black
HP 75XL Tri-colorOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
Quick answer: what ink does the HP Photosmart C4280 use?
The HP Photosmart C4280 uses two cartridges with the print head built in: one HP 74 black and one HP 75 tri-color (cyan, magenta, and yellow in one cartridge). High-yield HP 74XL and 75XL fit the same slots.
Cartridge options at a glance
| Cartridge | Part number | Approx. yield* |
|---|---|---|
| HP 74 black | CB335WN | ~200 pages |
| HP 74XL black | CB336WN | ~750 pages |
| HP 75 tri-color | CB337WN | ~170 pages |
| HP 75XL tri-color | CB338WN | ~520 pages |
*Approximate HP-rated yields based on ISO/IEC test pages. Real-world results depend on coverage and how often the printer runs cleaning or calibration cycles.
Common questions about HP Photosmart C4280 ink
Should I buy HP 74/75 or 74XL/75XL?
XL. The 74XL black is rated for about 750 pages, almost four times the standard 74, and the 75XL color about 520 versus 170. See Is XL ink actually worth it? Standard vs. XL with real numbers.
Can I mix standard and high-yield cartridges?
Yes. Each cartridge is read separately, so any mix of standard and high-yield sizes works.
What other printers use HP 74/75?
The same cartridges fit the DeskJet D4260 and D4360, OfficeJet J5780 and J6480, and Photosmart C4480, C4580 and C5580. (The Photosmart C4780 is not on this list; it takes HP 60.) If you own more than one, a single stock covers them all.
Will other HP cartridges fit the C4280?
No. HP 60/61, HP 21/22, and HP 94/95/97 are different shapes and won't seat in the C4280. Always match the number on your current cartridge.
Are compatible or remanufactured cartridges safe for the C4280?
Yes. We found no reports of the C4280 rejecting non-HP 74/75 cartridges, and using them doesn't void your warranty under U.S. law. If you see a used or non-HP cartridge message, choose OK or Continue. More: Compatible vs. remanufactured vs. OEM ink and toner and Does compatible ink void your printer warranty?.
How do I replace the ink in the C4280?
Turn the printer on and open the cartridge access door; wait for the carriage to stop. Push the empty cartridge down gently to release it and pull it out. Unwrap the new cartridge and remove the plastic tape covering the nozzles (don't touch the copper contacts or nozzles), then slide it in at a slight upward angle until it clicks. Black goes on the right and tri-color on the left. Close the door and let the printer align. Step by step: How to change the ink in an HP printer.
Why are C4280 prints faded, streaky, or missing a color?
On this printer the print head is part of each cartridge, so a fresh cartridge often fixes nozzle problems. First run the printer's cleaning tool once or twice. If one color is missing from the tri-color cartridge, that color is empty and the whole cartridge needs replacing. More: HP printer not printing correctly: colors, alignment, and quality and Faded or streaky prints: causes and fixes.
Can I print with only one cartridge?
Often, yes. Many HP printers switch to single-cartridge mode if one cartridge is removed or empty, printing black-only or color-only more slowly. Replace the missing cartridge soon to protect the nozzles. See HP printer not printing black: what actually fixes it.
Can I refill HP 74 and 75 cartridges?
Yes. Because they're older print-head cartridges, they refill well, though each refill wears the nozzles. A remanufactured XL is usually easier. See How to refill ink cartridges at home.
Does the C4280 have Wi-Fi?
No. It connects by USB and has memory card slots for printing photos without a computer.
C4280 key facts
- Type: all-in-one (print, scan, copy)
- Ink: HP 74 black + HP 75 tri-color (XL sizes fit)
- Connectivity: USB
- Extras: memory card slots
What Photosmart C4280 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.
It keeps reporting a carriage jam, but nothing is stuck.
With the power off, check that the carriage slides freely by hand. If it does, HP staff suggest a firmware update or a factory reset. If it binds, it is a hardware fault that needs service.
A brand-new genuine black cartridge says it is incorrectly installed.
HP's steps are to reseat it, make sure all the tape is off, clean the copper contacts with a lint-free cloth lightly dampened with distilled water, and unplug the printer for a while. If the error comes back, try a factory reset next.
Can I use a photo cartridge?
Yes. The HP 99 photo cartridge (C9369WN, about 130 pages) swaps into the black slot for photo printing. HP has discontinued the original, so it can be hard to find.
What paper can it handle?
The input tray holds about 100 sheets of plain paper, 30 sheets of 4 x 6 photo paper or 10 envelopes, in sizes from 3 x 5 inches up to legal.
Photosmart C4280 quirks worth knowing
- The C4280 is one of 14 variants in HP's Photosmart C4200 series, so HP files its manuals and drivers under "C4200 series" rather than the C4280.
- The color display folds down, and the printer is just 7.0 inches tall with it closed.
- It isn't one of HP's dynamic-security printers as far as we can find, and HP's 2026 changes to HP 61, 63 and 65 don't affect HP 74/75.
- When we checked in October 2026, large ink retailers showed genuine HP 74/75 cartridges as backordered.
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.