How to Check Ink in an HP Printer

Making a run to the office supply store, or just want to know how much longer before you will have to buy ink for your HP Printer. There are a couple of ways to determine the ink levels.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• HP Printer

1. The HP Printer will remind you when your ink is low. A pop screen will show up on your monitor when the ink levels are low enough to add them to your weekly shopping list. At this time you should write down the color and model numbers of your ink cartridges so that you can save a little time at the store. These numbers are located on the main label in bold black lettering on the cartridge.

2. 
    
   Cartridge with teardrop icons

   Check the menu screen on the HP Printer. There is an icon with a meter on the main screen that reflects the ink levels for both the black and tricolor cartridges. Some icons look like a tear drop that may be colored in with the corresponding color. A black tear drop represents the black ink cartridge and green represents the tricolor cartridge. If the tear drop is all colored in then the cartridge is full. If the tear drop is half way colored then the cartridge is half full and so on. The icon may also represent a small thermometer and will be colored the same as the tear drop.

3. 
    
   HP Director Toolbox

   Check the HP Solution Center or HP Director programs installed on your computer. Click the icons on your desktop or click START>ALL PROGRAMS> HP or HP DIRECTOR. Click on PRINTER SETTINGS>TOOLBOX. This will then show your the estimated levels.

Tips & Warnings

• For more specific instructions check out the Trouble Shooting area at the HP website and enter in your model number.
• Refilled cartridges will not be readable by your printer.

Resources

• HP.com

[Inkling]

on 5/24/2009 Thanks for the info.!