If you’re trying to figure out how to change HP printer ink, you’ve come to the right place. Learning how to change ink in HP printer is a breeze when you have this handy article to guide you. So if you’re nervous about getting the job done right and keeping your printer in good, working order, we’ve got you covered.
Continue reading below as we provide some helpful tips for changing HP printer ink, including how you can tell when it’s time to change your ink, detailed steps for how to change ink cartridges in HP printer, and some strategies for extending the life of your new ink cartridges.
How Often to Change Ink Toner on HP Printer
In learning how to change ink in HP printer, one of the first things you need to know is how often it’s appropriate to do so. Of course, this will depend on many factors including the model of printer you have, what you use your printer for, and how often you use it.
In general, for standard ink cartridges and average printer use, you can expect to change out the ink for every few hundred pages you print. But, here are some things to keep in mind as you decide when’s the right time to change out your HP printer ink.
Common Signs That Your Printer is Running Out of Ink
You don’t want to throw out your ink cartridges before they’re fully gone, but it can be hard to tell when’s the right time to change them out.
First, you’ll want to pay attention to the quality of your prints. If you notice your pages are starting to come out with a streaky or faded appearance, it’s a good sign that your printer ink is running low. Any other irregularities in your prints like smudging, lines, or discoloration are all signals that you may need to replace the ink cartridges on your printer.
Plus, your printer may provide you with a low ink warning when it’s detected that levels are running low. This feature will be found in most newer HP printers, and will likely appear on the screen on the front of your device when it’s time to replace the ink.
How to Check Ink Levels on Your HP Printer
Before you look into how to change HP printer ink, you need to know how to check the ink levels so you have a better idea of when they need to be replaced.
If you have a newer model that’s connected to the HP Smart App, you can simply check the status of your printer in the app to see how much is remaining in your ink cartridge. Other HP printer models may have an option for viewing ink levels through the control panel on the device within the ‘Settings’ menu.
Each HP printer model may vary in how it shows you the ink levels remaining in the cartridges. So if you’re having trouble, it’s best to consult your printer’s user manual for more specific details on where to find ink levels.
How to Change Ink in HP Printer: Step-by-Step Guide to Changing HP Printer Ink
Now we can finally break down the steps for how to change ink in HP printer. So if you’ve been wondering how to put ink in printer, the following steps can guide you through this process like a pro.
Choosing the Right Ink for Your HP Printer
When you’re figuring out how to change ink cartridges in HP printer, you first need to start by finding the right ink for your device. See what specific printer model you have, either on the printer itself or from the instruction manual.
Purchase ink that is compatible with your printer model as laid out in the manual or on HP’s website. You can check the cartridge codes on your existing ink cartridges to ensure you’re getting the right ink for your printer.
Safeguarding Your Workspace: Tips to Prevent Ink Spillage and Damage
Once you have the right ink cartridges on hand, there is some additional prep you should do to make sure you keep your workspace clean and safe from any ink spills. Any ink spillage that occurs on your desk, chairs, or other office accessories will likely permanently damage the item. So, it’s important to not rush this step and do the proper prep work to keep your area clean and secure.
As you’re changing out the ink cartridges, make sure you’re doing so on a flat and stable surface. Also, only handle the cartridges from the sides, don’t touch the nozzles or contacts which could easily spread ink to your hands and start leaking out into your workspace.
To be extra cautious, you can place a mat over your work area below the printer as you’re changing out the cartridges to catch any spills should they occur. Plus, make sure you’re carefully following these steps for ink cartridge replacement, as improper installation could lead to ink spills and damage to your printer.
Power the Printer On
Your printer should be powered on while you replace its ink cartridges. So, make sure the power indicator is lit up before you get to work with actually exchanging the ink cartridges. Don’t open up any covers or the new ink cartridge until you know the printer is on.
How to Open HP Printer to Change Ink
The next step in learning how to change HP printer ink is figuring out how to open HP printer to change ink. If you don’t know which covers to open to access the old ink cartridges, consult your owner’s manual or the HP website to see what the specific instructions are for your printer model.
Some printers will have a specialized access door for ink replacement, so make sure you know where this is located on your printer. You shouldn’t have to force open the access door, but it may appear hidden and flush with the rest of the printer design.
When your printer is powered on, the ink cartridge carrier should automatically move the center for easy access once the cover is opened. So, wait for the carriage to stop moving before you move on to the next step.
Removing the Old Ink Cartridge
Now it’s time to remove the old ink cartridge after you’ve accessed them. Again, you’ll need to do so carefully so you don’t contaminate your hands with any remaining ink on the cartridge contacts.
For many HP printer models, you should be able to press down on the empty ink cartridge to have it unlock from its position. This will allow you to easily grab the cartridge from the sides and slide it out for easy removal. Set this to the side so you can dispose of it later.
Unpacking the New Ink Cartridge
Remove the new cartridge from the packaging. You should also notice a protective film covering the cartridge nozzles, which you will need to remove before installation.
Be careful not to touch the contacts and nozzles to avoid damaging the new cartridge or spreading ink on your hands. So, just as you handled the old cartridge from the sides, do the same with the new cartridge as well.
Inserting the New Ink Cartridge
Here, you will finally insert the new ink cartridge into your printer. Find the appropriate slot for the ink cartridge in the carriage. For instance, a tri-colored ink cartridge should go in the slot that’s labeled for colored ink, and do the same for black ink.
You should be able to easily slide the new cartridge into the slot on the carriage until you hear a click that signals it’s in place. Don’t force it, as you could damage the printer if it’s installed incorrectly. But, if you purchased the right type of ink for your printer model, this should be simple.
Repeat this step for all of the ink cartridges that you need to replace. Once you’re fully complete, you can replace the cover of the printer and get to printing!
Confirming Successful Ink Cartridge Installation
After you’ve replaced the old ink cartridges with new ones, you need to confirm that you’ve done so successfully to troubleshoot any issues immediately before they turn into serious problems. You may see a confirmation message on the control panel of your printer. Or, to be sure, you can make a test print to ensure that everything is aligned correctly and the printer is working properly.
Troubleshooting Common Issues: HP Printer Won’t Print After Changing Ink Cartridge
After changing HP printer ink, you may come across some issues as you’re trying to get your printer back up and running. For instance, you may notice your HP printer won’t print after changing ink cartridge.
Open back up the cover to access the ink cartridges to ensure they’re properly locked in and in the correct slot. Check that you’ve removed all the protective tape that may have been on the cartridges so ink can leave them properly.
You can also restart the printer to help it reset, and make sure to check for any error messages on the control panel that you may need to address before printing again. If you need further help, you may need to contact HP support.
How to Dispose of or Recycle Your Old HP Ink Cartridges
An important yet sometimes overlooked step of learning how to change HP printer ink is figuring out what to do with your old cartridges. Let’s take a look at some of the things to keep in mind as you dispose of used cartridges.
Environmental Impacts of Improper Ink Cartridge Disposal
When you dispose of your used ink cartridges in regular household trash, you are creating possible contamination in landfills, which could release harmful chemicals into the groundwater and soil. All of this can negatively affect your local ecosystem and the flora and fauna present in your community.
If wildlife gets a hold of your old cartridges by mistaking them for food, it could cause serious issues and even lead to death. Plus, if you don’t properly dispose of your ink cartridges and they end up getting incinerated or burned alongside other waste, harmful chemicals and toxins could enter the air and lead to respiratory problems and pollution.
How to Recycle Your Old HP Ink Cartridges
There are a few avenues available to you to recycle your used ink cartridges. HP has a recycling program called HP Planet Partners that helps you find authorized collection points for old cartridges. You may also find recycling bins for ink cartridges at your local office supply store.
Additionally, some ink manufacturers will have mail-in programs where you can return your used cartridges, or you can check out your local recycling center to see if they accept used ink cartridges.
Whichever route you take, make sure to follow the specific instructions each provides to ensure you’re recycling the cartridges correctly.
Tips for Efficient Ink Usage and Printer Maintenance: Making the Most of Your New Cartridge
After you’ve learned how to change ink in HP printer, there are some additional steps and maintenance tips you can learn about your printer to see how to make printer ink last longer.
Strategies for Reducing Ink Usage
To avoid changing HP printer ink so frequently, there are some ways you can reduce ink usage in the meantime.
You may not be aware, but the fonts you choose for documents can lead to less ink usage when you print it. For example, fonts like Arial, Calibri, and Times New Roman are all fonts that help you be efficient with ink.
Also, make sure you’re properly proofreading documents before you print them to avoid having to re-print them when you notice mistakes later. In doing so, you can cut your ink usage in half if you’re only printing once instead of twice.
Every time you print a set of documents, only print the pages that are essential if you want to cut down on your ink usage so you can avoid wasting ink and paper on unnecessary pages.
Regular Printer Maintenance Tips to Extend the Life of Your Ink Cartridges and Printer
In general, there are some other things you can do to help extend the lifespan of your ink and printer. For starters, make sure you are regularly cleaning your printer to keep it free from dust and debris which could get in the way of quality prints.
Additionally, make sure you are using your printer regularly, at least once every few weeks. This will help the ink cartridges from drying out from sitting and not being in use. Even if you don’t have anything to print, try to print one or two sheets to keep everything in working condition. So if you’ve wondered, does printer ink expire, it certainly can.
Plus, make sure you are using high-quality inks that are specifically designed for your printer model. If you try to skimp and go for low-quality ink, you’ll likely end up going through the cartridge quicker, and it may even damage your printer. Lastly, make sure you are replacing your ink cartridges as needed – don’t put it off and try and squeeze out every last drop!
Importance of Regular Software Updates for Your HP Printer
Another thing you’ll want to do to help your HP printer stay in good condition is to perform the regular software updates that you get notified about. It’s easy to ignore these alerts for a while, but try not to prolong these too much so your printer stays working properly.
Making these regular updates will contribute to optimal performance so your ink and printer will be used efficiently and last longer.
Final Thoughts on How to Change HP Printer Ink
At this point, you should know how to change HP printer ink comfortably. As you can see, changing HP printer ink isn’t too complicated, and there are even strategies you can take to extend the lifespan of your new cartridges so you can do so less frequently.
If you’re replacing your used ink cartridges on time and utilizing the above strategies to lengthen their lifespan, you may end up with some extra cartridges on hand that you likely won’t get to use before they expire. If this is the case, you may be able to get some money back into your pockets by reaching out to our team to sell toner and ink cartridges back to us.
It’s easy to create a profile on our site and start submitting the details for any extra toner or ink cartridges you may have sitting around. Free up some of the storage space in your office and get back some of your hard-earned cash by selling us toner and ink that’s just taking up shelf space. Visit Sell Toner to create your account and get started today.
