HP DeskJet 3630 Ink Cartridges
Your HP DeskJet 3630 uses the 63 / 63XL ink cartridge series. This printer utilizes a two-cartridge system: one dedicated black and one tri-colour cartridge which contains cyan, magenta, and yellow. Because the tri-colour unit is a single tank, the entire cartridge must be replaced even if only one colour runs dry. This setup is common for home and student users who value simplicity. To maintain printhead health and reduce the frequency of maintenance cycles, most users benefit from switching to high-yield XL cartridges for a lower cost per page.
Understanding 63 Series Page Yields
The number of prints you can expect from your HP DeskJet 3630 depends heavily on the cartridge size selected. HP measures these yields based on the ISO/IEC 24711 standard, which assumes approximately 5% coverage per page. Standard 63 cartridges are designed for occasional use, while 63XL variants contain significantly more ink within the same physical shell. For home users, the tri-colour cartridge often reaches its limit faster when printing photos or school assignments with heavy graphics, making the XL version a more stable choice to prevent mid-project interruptions.
Genuine vs Compatible Cartridges
You can choose between genuine HP cartridges and third-party compatible alternatives for your DeskJet 3630. Genuine inks are formulated for precise colour matching, while compatibles offer a budget-friendly way to manage daily printing tasks. Under Australian Consumer Law, using compatible cartridges does not void your printer warranty. If you are looking to reduce your printing budget, our premium compatibles are designed to work seamlessly with your HP hardware. You can learn more about the differences in our genuine vs compatible guide.
Managing Your Ink Replacements
For most DeskJet users, the black ink is the primary consumable, but the tri-colour cartridge is the most critical to manage. Because the 63 series uses a combined colour tank, printing documents with a specific colour border or heavy logo usage will deplete that one reservoir and require a full replacement of the colour unit. If you find yourself replacing the colour tank frequently, we recommend opting for a 63XL bundle pack. Our compatible cartridges come with a money-back guarantee, providing peace of mind for those trying them for the first time. Please refer to our returns policy for full details.
Free delivery applies on all orders over $99 (conditions apply). We ensure fast dispatch by shipping from our local warehouses in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. Browse our full range of HP ink cartridges for more options.
Pro Tip
If your colour prints start to look "washed out" or have a specific hue (like everything appearing yellow), one of the three colours in your 63 tri-colour cartridge has likely run dry. To avoid wasting the remaining ink in the other two reservoirs, try to balance your document designs or switch to "Greyscale" mode in your printer settings when colour isn't essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install a 63XL cartridge if my printer came with a standard 63?
Yes. The 63 and 63XL cartridges have identical external dimensions and fit into the same slot in the HP DeskJet 3630. The "XL" designation simply refers to the internal ink volume, not the physical size of the plastic casing.
Why does my DeskJet 3630 show "Low Ink" immediately after I print a few photos?
The 63 tri-colour cartridge is a single unit. Photo printing consumes significantly more ink than text documents. If a single colour (such as Cyan) is depleted during a photo run, the printer will trigger a low ink warning for the entire tri-colour unit, even if Magenta and Yellow are still half-full.
What happens if I only replace the black cartridge and leave the empty colour one inside?
The printer requires both a black and a colour cartridge to be present in the carriage to complete the electrical circuit and initiate printing. If the colour cartridge is missing or the chip is faulty, the printer will usually display an error and refuse to print, even if you are only attempting a black-and-white document.
