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What Ink Does the HP Smart Tank 5101 Use?

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Quick answer: The HP Smart Tank 5101 uses HP 31 ink bottles (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow — 50ml each) and an HP 32XL Black ink bottle (135ml), refilled directly into the printer's built-in ink tank rather than swap-in cartridges.

HP SMART TANK 5101 INK BOTTLES AT A GLANCE

Bottle Color Size
HP 32XL Black 135ml
HP 31 Cyan 50ml
HP 31 Magenta 50ml
HP 31 Yellow 50ml

HP estimates the included bottles provide up to two years of ink for typical home printing volumes, which is the main appeal of the Smart Tank line over HP's cartridge-based printers.

IS THERE COMPATIBLE OR THIRD-PARTY HP 31/32XL INK?

Not from Castle Ink as of this writing. The HP 31/32XL bottle format used in HP's newer Smart Tank models is a different system from HP's cartridge-based ink (like HP 65, 67, or 910), and mainstream compatible alternatives for this specific tank-bottle format are limited right now.

SAVE ON HP SMART TANK INK

Because Castle Ink doesn't currently stock HP 31/32XL tank bottles, genuine HP ink is your most reliable option for this printer. If you also own a standard HP cartridge printer, check our HP ink cartridges collection for savings on those.

HOW TO REFILL INK IN THE HP SMART TANK 5101

  1. Open the ink tank access door on top of the printer.
  2. Check the ink level window for each tank to see which color needs refilling.
  3. Unbox the correct color bottle and remove the seal.
  4. Insert the bottle nozzle-first into the matching tank port and let it drain fully — HP's bottles are designed to stop automatically.
  5. Remove the empty bottle and close the tank access door.

TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS

  • Printer won't connect to Wi-Fi: Confirm your network is broadcasting a 2.4GHz signal, since this model doesn't support 5GHz. Moving the printer closer to the router can also help with dropped connections.
  • Ink level window is hard to read: Check ink levels through the HP Smart app instead of the small front window for a clearer reading.
  • Prints look faded or streaky: Run a print head cleaning cycle from the HP Smart app or printer control panel.
  • Mobile prints are cropped more than expected: Adjust the paper size and borderless settings in the HP Smart app before printing photos from a phone.

OFFICIAL HP RESOURCES

For setup help and troubleshooting, see HP Support and search for the Smart Tank 5101.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I use any ink bottle in the Smart Tank 5101? No — it's designed specifically for HP 31 (color) and HP 32XL (black) ink bottles.

How long does one set of bottles last? HP estimates up to two years for typical home printing volumes, though heavy printing will use ink faster.

Will third-party ink void my warranty? The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects your warranty when you use third-party ink, though compatible options for this specific bottle format are currently limited.

Does it come with ink included? Yes — the printer ships with a full set of HP 31/32XL bottles already installed.

BOTTOM LINE

The HP Smart Tank 5101 uses HP 31 (color) and HP 32XL (black) ink bottles refilled directly into the printer's tank. There's no mainstream compatible alternative yet for this format, so budget for genuine HP bottles when it's time to refill.

SHOP INK FOR YOUR OTHER PRINTERS AT CASTLE INK

Castle Ink doesn't currently stock HP 31/32XL tank bottles, but if you also own a standard inkjet or laser printer, we can save you 50–70% off OEM pricing on those:

HP ink cartridges · Brother ink cartridges · Canon ink cartridges · Epson ink cartridges

Buy the HP Smart Tank 5101 on Amazon: HP Smart Tank 5101 on Amazon

See also: Our full HP Smart Tank 5101 review

Written and reviewed by — Founder of Castle Ink, 20+ years in the printer & imaging supplies industry.

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