How to Change Ink in HP Printer: 5 Easy Steps

Knowing some basic printer maintenance skills can be helpful. Things like setting up the printer, loading paper, and connecting it to WiFi will make printing less frustrating.

It takes just 2 minutes to change the ink in your HP printer. First, you’ll open the lid, and carefully remove each ink cartridge. Listen for the click as you remove the cartridge. Then load the new ink, and you’ll hear a click when it is correctly loaded.

With the ink successfully loaded, you will close the lid. Now it’s time to run a test sheet to make sure it’s working correctly.

Not every printer works the same way. While one model might allow you to install ink cartridges easily, others could be more tricky. HP printers are easy-to-use machines, allowing you to take care of them in a few simple steps.

If your printer is nearing the end of its first ink cartridge and needs a change, you found the right article. You’ll learn how to change the ink in HP printer in this how-to guide. 

At the end of the guide, we’ll cover solutions to the most common HP Printer questions.

5 Easy Steps: How to Change Ink in HP Printer

We have summarized the five simple steps to successfully remove and reinstall ink for your HP printer.

Before we begin, make sure you select the correct ink & toner for your printer.

Step 1: Turn On & Test Ink Levels

• Plug in your HP printer and turn it on.
• Press the ink icon within the control menu to see how much ink is left.

If your ink level is low, you can proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Access the Ink Cartridge

• Turn to the front of the machine and locate the printer door cover.
• Open the door by pulling it down.
• You will see the ink cartridge as it moves to the changing position.

Step 3: Remove the Old Ink Cartridge

• Remove the old ink by gently pressing down on the front of the cartridge.
• You will hear a disconnecting sound.
• Repeat the process for each ink component to remove it from the slot.

Make sure to do this gently. While it requires a little force, don’t force the ink cartridge. If it doesn’t remove easily, you’re doing it wrong.

Here’s how simple this is.

Step 4: Install the New Ink Cartridge

• Remove all packaging from the new ink cartridge.
• Slide each ink color into the slot where you removed the old ink.
• You should hear a click when it is fully in place.

Ensure each ink cartridge is in its corresponding color slot.

Step 5: Close the Door and Test Print

• Once the ink is in place, close the door to move the ink cartridge back to its original position.
• Place paper into the paper tray.
• Click test print on the machine or print a file.

If you were in the middle of printing when the ink ran out, your printing process should automatically continue after you close the door.

More reading: Does Printer Ink Expire? and How to Keep Printer Ink From Drying Out.

Frequently Asked Questions

We have found the best solutions to your questions about HP printers and how to put ink in your HP printer.

What ink cartridge do I need for my HP printer?

To locate the correct ink for your HP printer, search for your printer model on HP’s support page. 

Do I need to turn off the printer when changing ink?

No. You can leave the printer’s power on when changing the ink cartridge. 

But personally, I prefer to power it down first. Then once the ink is changed, I’ll power it back up.

Why won’t my HP printer print after changing the ink?

Your printer’s head or nozzle might have a clog. Alternatively, the ink might not be fully in place. Make sure the ink is seated all the way.

Also, use the printer’s menu to perform a cleaning of the printhead.

Where is the HP printer ink reset button?

You can reset your ink notification by holding down the power button and pressing cancel at the same time.

The second option is to remove the ink cartridge and put it back in. Depending on your printer model, one of these methods will work.

Here’s more about how to reset an HP printer.

How many pages will my HP printer print before the ink is empty?

A newly installed ink cartridge should print around 1,500-2,000 pages of standard text before running out. However, this depends on what is printed and the colors used during the printing process.

If you’re working with liquid ink (or the ink cartridge change goes wrong) here’s how to get printer ink off your hands.

Curious what printer you have? Here’s how to know if you have an inkjet or laser printer.

Final Thoughts: Changing Ink in an HP Printer

In this article, we have given you all the necessary steps to guide you through the process of how to change ink in an HP Printer. 

You can now change the ink cartridge in your printer using a few simple steps. We hope we have answered all the other questions you had about the replacement of ink in HP Printers.