How to Change HP Envy 4520 Printer Ink Cartridge? (Full Guide)

If your HP Envy 4520 printer is displaying “Low Ink” or “Cartridge Problem” error and is printing faded prints, it’s about time that you change its ink cartridge. Don’t be afraid. It’s very easy to do it even if you’ve never changed it before. In this step-by-step guide, I am going to tell you 'How to change HP Envy 4520 printer ink cartridge' in a safe and quick manner.

Understanding Your HP Envy 4520 Ink Cartridges

An ink cartridge is a small-size container of liquid ink that is used in your printer. The ink is responsible for creating the text and images that you see on printed pages. The HP Envy 4520 printer uses two cartridges:

1. One is a black ink cartridge for text and monochrome printing.

2. The other one is tri-color and combines three colors - cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively, for colorful prints.

When your ink level gets low, your printer may still print for a few pages, but the print output will be lighter or faded. Eventually your printer will stop printing altogether until you replace the cartridges.

The best ink cartridges that work with HP Envy 4520 are HP 63 or HP 63XL cartridges. The HP 63 is the standard ink capacity; HP 63XL holds a larger amount of ink and lasts a longer time. If you print often, the HP 63XL will give you a better value than the HP 63.

Signs That It’s Time to Replace the Cartridge

It's time to refresh your ink cartridges when you experience any of the following:

1. Prints seem faded, gray, or lined.

2. Missing colors or colors don't look correct.

3. The printer says "Low Ink" on the screen.

4. You see blank pages while it is printing.

5. A message says "Cartridge Problem" or "Incompatible Cartridge."

These are all clear indications that your printer needs a new cartridge.

What You’ll Need Before You Start

To easily replace your ink cartridges for your HP Envy 4520 printer, you require just a few simple things:

1. A new HP 63 or HP 63XL ink cartridge (black or color, depending on which one you are replacing)

2. Some plain white paper

3. A soft cloth or tissue (for any ink smudges)

4. A clean, flat surface to use

Always use original HP ink cartridges. They are made for your specific printer and afford the most appropriate print quality. Third-party or refill cartridges can clog your print head, cause errors and the poor print quality.

Step 1: Turn On Your HP Envy 4520 Printer

Press the Power button and ensure the printer is on before proceeding. This is crucial because once you power on the printer, it will automatically move the cartridge holder (known as the carriage) to the center. This is the position where you can safely access the ink cartridges and replace them.

Step 2: Open the Printer Lid

Gently lift the scanner lid until it stays open by itself. The cartridge access area is underneath it. Upon opening the lid, the cartridge carriage will move to the middle position and stop. Wait for the carriage to stop moving; this indicates that the carriage is ready for cartridge replacement.

Never try to push or pull the cartridge carriage with your hand; allow it to move by itself.

Step 3: Take Out the Old Ink Cartridge

You will see two cartridges inside, a tri-colored cartridge on the left and a black cartridge on the right. To take it out:

1. Gently push it down on the front of the cartridge.

2. Once released, gently pull out towards you.

Hold it by the sides of the cartridge. Avoid touching the copper-colored area or the small nozzles at the bottom, as they are fragile pieces that control the flow of ink. Touching them can create smudges or print problems later on.

Step 4: Take the New Cartridge Out of the Packaging

Take the new HP ink cartridge out of the box. You will notice an orange or pink plastic tape covering the copper area. This is a protection strip that keeps the ink from leaking during shipping. Hold the cartridge by the sides, then gently pull the tab and remove the tape fully.

Do not touch the ink nozzle or copper strip. Once the tape removed, the cartridge is ready to be installed.

Step 5: Place the New Cartridge

At this point, insert the new cartridge into its appropriate slot:

• The tri-color cartridge goes into the left slot.

• The black cartridge goes into the right slot.

Holding the cartridge with the label facing up, slide it into the slot at a slight upward angle, then push in until you hear a quiet, soft click, which means it’s securely locked in place.

If you’re replacing both, repeat the same process.

Step 6: Close the Lid

Gently lower the scanner lid until it’s completely closed. The printer may make a few mechanical noises, and that’s ok. It’s adjusting the ink cartridges for use.

Step 7: Align the Newly Installed Ink Cartridges

After you install the new ink cartridges on your HP Envy 4520, it will go through an alignment process on its own. This step ensures that the ink cartridges are properly aligned, so that your printed items will be sharp and the colors printed correctly.

If your printer screen or your computer prompts you to align the cartridges, load some plain white paper into the input tray and press OK when it prompts you. Then, it should print alignment page.

Once the alignment page has printed, raise the scanner lid, and place the alignment page face down on the glass, just like you would for a regular copy. After placing the alignment page, press OK again, and the printer will scan the page to complete the alignment process.

Never skip this step, as it can reduce blurry or inconsistent printed pages later.

Step 8: Print Test Page

After the cartridges are installed and aligned, print a test page, which ensures that the printer is properly functioning.

In your computer, open the HP Smart App or go to Printer Settings. Select the option to print Test Page (or it may say Print Quality Report).

If the text and colors of the test printed items look spot on, you are good to start using your printer again.

Step 9: Recycle the Old Cartridge

After use, do not just discard the old cartridges in the trash. HP has a free recycling program, HP Planet Partners, in which you can mail in your used ink cartridges or drop them off at participating stores.

To find a drop-off zone near you, visit hp.com/recycle and select your country.

Helpful Tips for Cartridges that Last Longer

To get the most out of the ink cartridges from your HP Envy 4520:

1. Use only HP ink cartridges.

2. Print at least once every couple of weeks, so the ink does not dry out.

3. Store cartridges you do not use in sealed packaging until you are ready to use them.

4. Handle cartridges carefully, and do not touch the nozzles or copper contacts.

If you print frequently, consider purchasing the HP 63XL cartridges and save money. It will last longer and will print nearly twice as many pages compared to the standard HP 63 cartridge.

Source: How to Change HP Envy Printer Ink Cartridge