How Do You Trick HP Ink Cartridges?

“Low ink levels. Replace ink cartridge.” I cannot count the number of times I’ve stared at this exact message, jaw clenched in frustration, as I tried to telepathically explain to my printer that the ink cartridge it is sensing is a brand new one. 

When you find yourself in this situation, it can be an infuriating puzzle that seems impossible to solve. Luckily, there are solutions. This article details the many tricks, tips, and creative workarounds that people have found for convincing HP printers to continue printing with new, used, or off-brand ink cartridges. 

The HP Ink Cartridge Conundrum 

Hewlett Packard (HP) has had its fair share of negative press over the years. HP has been accused (both in court and over the internet) of creating ink cartridges that send “low ink” warnings when there is still ink remaining. They have also been known to lock their ink cartridges so that only HP cartridges can be used in HP printers. 

Thanks to several class-action lawsuits, HP is now required to allow third-party cartridges to work on their printers, and they are no longer allowed to lock out ink cartridges when the “low ink level” warning appears. With some simple steps, you can get your ink cartridge working regardless of ink level or cartridge developer. 

The Source of the “Low Ink” Warning

If you want to outsmart your HP ink cartridge, you first need to know how the “low ink levels” warning is generated. In general, there are two main ways that HP measures ink levels:

• Electric Chip in Printer: Older printer models will contain an electric chip that records the cartridge’s ink level. When a new cartridge is inserted, the printer begins counting the number of pages printed. For example, if your printer thinks the ink cartridge should have ink for 400 pages, at 200 pages printed, it will tell you that the ink cartridge is half full, regardless of how much ink has actually been used. This means that the “low ink level” is arbitrarily based on averages, not actual ink levels. 
• Electric Chip in Ink Cartridge: Instead of relying on the printer, newer printer models place the chip in the ink cartridge itself. Once again, the ink cartridge chip counts the number of pages printed rather than the amount of ink used. 

Knowing where your ink monitoring chip is located will make it easier for you to avoid and overcome printing obstacles. 

Take Caution When Ignoring “Low Ink Level” Warnings

Most printers are perfectly capable of printing once the “low ink level” warning has been issued. However, the “low ink level” warning is not just a cash grab by HP. It is issued before the ink is completely empty for two reasons:

• Efficiency: As the printer ink gets low, the printer’s efficiency decreases, and you will begin to see discoloration or streaking in your printed pages. To ensure that your print jobs do not deteriorate, “low ink level” warnings typically occur while ink is still present in the cartridge.
• Health of the Printer: When an ink cartridge begins running dry, the printer head develops dry spots where the ink is no longer reaching. This causes friction, which increases the printer head’s temperature and eventually damages the printer head. Without a working printer head, a printer cannot print.  

Tips for Outsmarting the HP Printer Electric Chip

If you have an older printer, your ink level monitoring chip is likely in the printer itself. If that is the case, you can use these handy tricks to outsmart the chip: 

1. Check the Cartridge

It’s always best to start with the easiest step. Before continuing, ensure that all plastic coverings are removed from the cartridge and it is installed correctly. If it is a used cartridge, giving it a vigorous shake can loosen the ink. 

2. Ignore the “Low Ink Level” Warning

On many computers, merely dismissing the “low ink level” warning will allow you to continue printing. You may have to dismiss several warnings before printing resumes. If the “low ink level” warning appears on the printer’s LCD screen, you can press the “OK” button to bypass the warning. 

3. Reboot the Printer

To reboot the printer, follow these steps:

1. Remove all cartridges from the printer. 
2. Power off the printer and unplug it from the wall. 
3. Place cartridges back in the printer. Allow the printer to sit for 10-15 minutes. 
4. Plug in the printer and turn it on. Run a printer test page to test the cartridges. 

4. Override the Cartridge Memory

Most chips can only store information for 1-5 ink cartridges at a time. If you have old cartridges because you haven’t quite gotten around the throwing them out, you can follow these steps:

1. Remove the new ink cartridges from the printer.
2. Insert the old ink cartridge and print a printer test page. 
3. Repeat step 2 with 1-4 additional old ink cartridges (if available).
4. Re-insert the new cartridge and run a printer test page. This should wipe the printer’s logs and reset the printer’s memory of the new ink cartridges.

If you don’t have old cartridges, you can also try these steps:

1. Remove the new cartridges and turn off the printer. 
2. After letting the printer sit for several minutes, turn the printer back on.
3. Turn off the printer, let it sit, and turn it back on at least four times. This should replace the stored memory on the printer’s chip with blank logs. 
4. Re-insert new cartridges and run a printer test page. 

5. Enable Bidirectional Support on Windows Computer

When bidirectional support is enabled, the print driver can communicate directly with the printer to determine the printer’s state. To enable bidirectional support:

1. On your computer, open “Control Panel” or “Settings.”
2. Select the printer settings. 
3. Find your printer and right-click the icon. Select “Printer properties.”
4. Select the tab labeled “Ports.”
5. Click the box that says “Disable Ports” and click the box that says “Enable Bidirectional Support.”
6. Apply changes or save as necessary.

Tips for Outsmarting the HP Ink Cartridge Electric Chip

If you have a newer printer, the chip is likely located in the ink cartridge. If that is the case, you can use these handy tricks to outsmart the chip: 

1. Check the Cartridge

It’s always best to start with the easiest step. Before continuing, ensure that all plastic coverings are removed from the cartridge and it is installed correctly. If it is a used cartridge, giving it a vigorous shake can loosen the ink.

2. Reboot the Printer

To reboot the printer, follow these steps:

1. Remove all cartridges from the printer. 
2. Power off the printer and unplug it from the wall.
3. Place cartridges back in the printer. Allow the printer to sit for 10-15 minutes. 
4. Plug in the printer and turn it on. Run a printer test page to test the cartridges. 

3. Replace the Cartridges

If you are attempting to use cartridges on a new computer, you can activate them using these steps:

1. Remove the new ink cartridges and reload the old ink cartridges into the printer. Let them sit for approximately 10 minutes.
2. Remove the old ink cartridge and install the new ink cartridges again. 

4. Press the Reset Button

Using a paperclip, press the reset button on the ink cartridge. This will reset the memory storage on the chip and allow you to continue printing.

5. Disable Cartridge Protection

Cartridge protection is installed on many newer ink cartridges to lock them to the printer on which they are installed. Once the cartridge is installed, the cartridge can only be used on that specific printer. If a third-party cartridge is installed, the printer may also ask you to replace it because it does not have cartridge protection. 

You may wish to disable the cartridge protection if:

1. You want to use a refilled or remanufactured ink cartridge.
2. You want to use your ink cartridge on a new printer. 
3. You are using a brand new HP ink cartridge, and you are still getting an error message. 

To disable cartridge protection for printers without internet capabilities:

1. On your computer, open “Control Panel” or “Settings.”
2. Select the printer settings. 
3. Find your printer and right-click the icon. Select “Printer properties.”
4. Select “Disable HP Cartridge Protection” or un-click “Automatically Update Printer,” depending on your printer model. 
5. Click “Apply” or “Save” if necessary. 

To disable cartridge protection for printers with internet capabilities:

1. Open an internet browser and enter your printer’s IP address in the web address box. Press enter. This will open your printer’s Embedded Web server.  
2. Select “Settings” and then “HP Cartridge Protection.”
3. Disable the HP Cartridge Protection. 
4. Click “Apply” or “Save” if necessary. 

For more information about checking the ink levels in your printer, see How to Check Printer Ink Levels.