To change HP printer ink cartridges, open the access door, swap the empty unit, seat the new one firmly, then run alignment and a test page.
Running out of ink is annoying, but the swap itself is simple. The exact motion varies a little between DeskJet, ENVY, and OfficeJet lines, yet the core steps are the same: prep the printer, remove the old cartridge, install the new one without touching the contacts, and finish with alignment. This guide lays out clear steps, quick model cues, and fixes when problems pop up.
What You Need Before You Start
You’ll get the smoothest swap when you set the stage first. Grab the right cartridge number, plain paper for alignment, and a clean cloth for any stray drips. Keep the tape on the new cartridge until the printer is ready to accept it, and power the device on so the carriage parks itself for safe access.
Prep Checklist
- Printer powered on and idle, with no jobs in the queue.
- Correct ink number for your model, still sealed with the protective tape intact.
- Plain A4 or Letter paper loaded for the alignment page.
- A trash bag for the wrapper and the old cartridge.
HP Cartridge Variations At A Glance
The table below maps common HP families to the cartridge series you’re likely to see worldwide. Always match the exact number shown on your existing cartridge or in your printer’s setup menu.
| Printer Family | Common Cartridge Series | Typical Access Door |
|---|---|---|
| DeskJet / DeskJet Plus | HP 63 / 64 / 65 / 67 / 804 | Front panel swings up; carriage centers. |
| ENVY / ENVY Inspire | HP 64 / 65 / 67 / 910 | Front or left-front door; carriage moves to middle. |
| OfficeJet / OfficeJet Pro | HP 902 / 903 / 910 / 950 / 951 / 952 / 962 | Front interior bay behind paper tray. |
| DeskJet 2700/4100 Series | HP 305 / 67 | Scanner lid up; inner access area opens. |
| Smart Tank / Ink Tank | Integrated tanks; thermal printhead units | Front printhead latch; bottles for ink. |
Tip: If your printer is enrolled in a subscription plan, the shipped cartridges are keyed to that plan. Regular retail cartridges may not work in that mode. Swap only like for like.
Step-By-Step: Change The Cartridge Safely
These steps apply to most recent HP inkjet models. The wording on your screen might differ, yet the motions are consistent.
1) Park The Carriage
Turn the printer on. Lift the access door. Wait until the carriage glides to the center and stops. If it doesn’t move, close the door, restart the printer, and try again. Never force the carriage by hand.
2) Remove The Old Cartridge
Press the front tab or pull the small handle to release the empty cartridge. Angle it out. Set it on the wrapper to avoid stains.
3) Prepare The New One
Take the new cartridge out of the sealed pouch. Peel the orange tape straight off. Do not touch the copper contacts or the ink nozzles. Avoid shaking.
4) Seat The Cartridge
Slide the cartridge into the matching slot—color to color, black to black. Push until it clicks. A loose fit leads to errors, streaks, or missing colors.
5) Close Up And Align
Close the access door. The printer usually prompts you to print an alignment page. Accept the prompt. Some models then ask you to scan that page on the glass to complete alignment.
6) Print A Test Page
From the printer panel or the HP Smart app, run a test page or nozzle check. Look for crisp black text and even color blocks. If lines break or color bands show, clean the printhead with the built-in tool and run alignment again.
Changing HP Ink Cartridges Step-By-Step For Popular Lines
To remove guesswork, here are quick model cues. The motions match the general steps above, with small location changes for the door and latch.
DeskJet / ENVY Quick Cues
- Lift the front panel or left-front door; the carriage will center itself.
- Press down on the front top of each cartridge to release; lift out.
- Insert the new unit at a slight upward angle; click in firmly.
OfficeJet / OfficeJet Pro Quick Cues
- Pull the front cover forward from the paper tray area.
- Cartridges sit in a fixed bay; push to release, then slide out.
- Many four-cartridge models let you replace a single color as needed.
Smart Tank Notes
- These models use bottled ink and separate printheads.
- When prints fade, you may need to replace a printhead, not a tank.
- Always use the supplied caps and follow the lock steps shown on the panel.
Get The Right Cartridge Every Time
The easiest way to confirm the number is the sticker on your current cartridge. You can also check your printer’s printed Configuration Page or the Supplies section in the HP Smart app. If you prefer a manual lookup, HP’s part numbers appear on the inside of the access door and in the user guide.
Need official step screens for your exact model? See HP’s “Replace HP inkjet printer cartridges” guide, which walks through model-specific panels and access doors. It’s a handy reference while you work.
Keep Prints Sharp After The Swap
A clean finish isn’t just about clicking in a new cartridge. Two follow-ups protect quality and save ink.
Run Alignment To Lock In Accuracy
Alignment makes the printer calibrate nozzle placement for straight lines and correct color overlay. Many models trigger it automatically after a swap. If yours didn’t, you can start it from the printer panel or the HP Smart app under Printer Maintenance > Align Printhead.
Use The Right Paper
For alignment and test pages, use plain white paper. For photos, switch to glossy or matte photo stock and pick the matching paper type in the print dialog. Wrong paper can mimic clogged nozzles with banding or dull blacks.
Let The Printer Rest
After installing, wait a minute before a large photo run. That pause lets the ink priming and bubble clearing finish for best color stability.
Cartridge Errors And Quick Fixes
Most pop-up messages after a swap come from a poor seat, leftover tape, or mismatched numbers. Work through the list below to clear the most common roadblocks.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| “Incompatible” message | Wrong part number or plan-locked cartridge | Match the exact number; swap subscription with subscription. |
| “Cartridge missing or damaged” | Poor contact or tape still on | Re-seat firmly; remove all orange tape; wipe contacts gently. |
| Can’t align / fails to scan page | Alignment page placed wrong or glass is dusty | Place face-down as shown; clean the glass; retry alignment. |
| Streaks after swap | Air in nozzles or clogged head | Run Cleaning in Printer Maintenance; print 2–3 test pages. |
| Colors off | Paper type mismatch or depleted color | Pick correct paper type; check ink levels; replace the bad color. |
| No color at all | Protective tape not fully removed | Remove any remaining tab or vent tape; re-run alignment. |
Safe Handling And No-Mess Habits
Ink stains are avoidable with a few habits. Keep the old cartridge upright, never squeeze the sides, and avoid touching the printhead. If you see a drip, dab, don’t rub. Store spares in their sealed pouches at room temperature.
Contact And Nozzle Do’s And Don’ts
- Do hold cartridges by the sides; avoid the copper contacts and the bottom.
- Do keep tape on until just before seating.
- Don’t use alcohol or water on the printhead surface.
- Don’t leave the access door open for long; the carriage can time out.
When Your Printer Uses Subscription Supplies
Printers on a subscription plan authenticate the cartridge over the network. If the plan is paused or canceled, those special supplies may stop working. When replacing a unit in that setup, use the cartridge type supplied by the plan and keep the printer online during the swap so it can activate the new chip. If you move to retail supplies, unenroll the plan first and follow the on-screen steps.
Advanced: Multi-Color vs. Individual Colors
Some DeskJet and ENVY models use a tri-color cartridge. If one color empties, the whole unit needs replacement. OfficeJet models with four separate colors let you change only cyan, magenta, yellow, or black. Budget planning is different: single-color bays waste less when one shade is used heavily.
Aftercare: Keep Quality Consistent
Check levels in the HP Smart app every few weeks. If print quality dips, start with alignment, then run Cleaning. Avoid frequent power pulls; use the power button so the printer can cap the printhead and prevent dryout.
Recycle The Old Cartridge The Free Way
Don’t toss used supplies. HP’s Planet Partners program offers mail-back labels and local drop-off points in many regions. Bag the old cartridge, keep it upright, and reuse the box from your new one for shipping.
Quick Reference: Exact Motions In One Pass
- Power on, lift the access door, and wait for the carriage to park at center.
- Press the latch, slide the empty cartridge out, and set it on the wrapper.
- Unseal the new unit, peel the orange tape, avoid contacts and nozzles.
- Slide into the matching slot and push until it clicks.
- Close the door; accept the alignment prompt and print the page.
- Scan the page if asked; then print a test page from the panel or app.
Why These Steps Match What HP Shows
HP’s official guides mirror the sequence above across most inkjet families, with only door placement and latch styles moving around. The company also recommends running alignment after any cartridge change to lock in color registration.