Installing an HP ink cartridge gets confusing when your printer’s latch or access door looks different from the instructions. Match your model to the steps below to remove the old cartridge, fit its replacement, and finish alignment. The HP app helps with setup and alignment, but you install the cartridges by hand.
Start with the right cartridges
Replacing an empty cartridge or setting up a new printer? Start with cartridges that match your exact model and region, since cartridge numbers and slot positions vary.
Check the replacement cartridge numbers against your printer’s requirements. Do not assume the black cartridge always belongs on the same side.
If your printer or replacement printhead came with cartridges marked SETUP, install those first using its physical installation procedure. Let initialization finish. Unused SETUP cartridges cannot serve as ordinary replacements later.
For first-time setup on a DeskJet 4200, remove the printer’s packing materials. Connect the power cord, then turn on the printer. Install the HP app and open the HP app.
Select Add printer and follow the connection prompts. Load paper as shown in the app’s animations, then install the supplied cartridges using the animations. Complete the alignment instructions. Use this setup workflow on other models only when their setup instructions specify it.
Fit snap-in cartridges on compatible ENVY models
These steps replace black or tri-color cartridges on the ENVY models listed below.
Turn on the printer. On ENVY Inspire 7200–7900 and 7200e–7900e models, open the front door first, then open the cartridge access door. Wait until the carriage stops moving.
Press down on the old cartridge to release it, then pull the cartridge out of its slot. Unpack the replacement and peel off its protective tape without touching the electrical contacts or ink nozzles.
On ENVY 6100, 6100e, 6100r, 6500 and 6500e, and DeskJet Plus Ink Advantage 6100 and 6500, slide the replacement into the correct slot. For those 6100 and 6500 models, push upward firmly until the cartridge snaps in. On the ENVY Inspire models listed above, slide the replacement into its slot until it snaps in.
Close the cartridge access door. On ENVY Inspire, close the front door too. For the 6100 and 6500 models, follow the software’s alignment prompt when you next print.
Replace cartridges held by hinged latches
Use this procedure for ENVY 6000, ENVY Pro 6400, and DeskJet Plus Ink Advantage 6000/6400 series printers.
- 1.Load paper and turn on the printer. Raise the cartridge access door until it stays open, then wait for the carriage to stop.
- 2.Lift the individual cartridge latch and withdraw the old cartridge.
- 3.Unpack the replacement and remove its protective tape.
- 4.Insert it into the matching slot. Lower the latch and press until it snaps shut.
- 5.Close cartridge access and place the printed alignment sheet face down on the scanner.
- 6.Close the scanner lid and press Black and White Copy (Start Copy Black on some control panels). Wait until the Cancel light goes out.
Release individual color cartridges
Individual color cartridges use different release mechanisms. Match the cartridge number or printer series before removing anything.
For compatible printers using HP 178, 364, 564, 655, 862, 902–910, 912, 914–920, 934 or 935 cartridges, load paper. Turn on the printer and open cartridge access. Wait for movement to stop.
Press the old cartridge’s tab, then lift the cartridge out. Unwrap the replacement completely, then twist its orange cap counterclockwise to remove it.
Insert the cartridge into the matching color slot and press down until it is seated. Close cartridge access, then complete any alignment prompt.
For compatible printers using HP 932, 933, 950–959 or 962–969 cartridges, load paper. Turn on the printer. Open cartridge access, leaving the separate printhead latch closed, and wait for movement to stop.
Push the old cartridge’s front inward to release it, then remove the released cartridge. Unpack the replacement and push it into the matching color slot until seated. Close cartridge access and follow the alignment prompts.
OfficeJet Pro 8120/8130, 9120 and 9720 series also use front-release cartridges. Keep the printer on during replacement. Do not turn off an OfficeJet Pro 8120/8130 or 9720 while cartridges are missing.
On the 8120/8130 and 9120 series, open the front door first, then open cartridge access. Wait for the carriage to stop. Press the old cartridge’s front to release it, then pull the cartridge out.
Unpack the replacement and seat it securely in the slot with the matching colored letter. Close the cartridge access door. On the 8120/8130 and 9120 series, close the front door.
If the cartridge still will not fit, search for your exact model on HP Customer Support. Open its cartridge replacement instructions under How To for the model’s door, slot, and alignment directions.
Resolve Instant Ink enrollment errors
An inactive enrollment prevents Instant Ink subscription cartridges from working.
Check that the cartridge numbers match your printer. Instant Ink replacements can be larger than starter or retail cartridges.
Install them using your printer’s normal physical replacement procedure. For an enrollment error, sign in to your existing account on the HP Instant Ink website. Resolve the account issue shown there.
To enroll an eligible printer, select Sign Up Now on the HP Instant Ink website. If you canceled Instant Ink, remove its cartridges when the billing cycle ends.
Install compatible retail cartridges using your printer’s usual replacement procedure to continue printing. Ordinary retail cartridges do not require an Instant Ink subscription.
Finish with cartridge alignment
Alignment finishes the replacement process when your printer requests it. Load plain white paper. Open the HP app. On devices migrated from HP Smart, this is its replacement; HP says you cannot return to or reinstall HP Smart once the replacement app is available.
Select your printer image, then open Diagnostics or Tools, whichever appears for your printer and platform. Select Print quality tools and choose Align printheads if that control appears.
For the alternate interface, select View all print quality tools, then select OK and select Align. Follow any scanning instructions printed on the alignment sheet.
For DeskJet 2130 and 2300 series, place the printed alignment sheet face down on the scanner glass against the engraved guides. Close the scanner lid. Press Start Copy Black or Start Copy Color to scan the sheet and align the cartridges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I print with only one cartridge installed?
DeskJet/ENVY 6000 and 6400 models covered by HP’s backup-mode instructions support single-cartridge printing. Remove the depleted cartridge and close cartridge access. Output depends on which cartridge remains. Do not apply this procedure to printers with individual color cartridges.
What should I do if required SETUP cartridges are missing?
Contact HP for help with the missing SETUP cartridges. Replace SETUP cartridges with compatible regular cartridges once they are depleted.
Does an HP Smart Tank printer take replacement ink cartridges?
Smart Tank printers replenish ink through tanks using bottled ink. Their replaceable printheads are not ordinary ink cartridges. Follow the refill instructions for your exact Smart Tank model.
Do I have to enroll in Instant Ink during DeskJet 4200 setup?
No. Instant Ink enrollment is optional during the DeskJet 4200 setup workflow.