Whether you've just purchased a new printer or it's time to replace an empty ink cartridge in your current printer, inserting a cartridge only takes a few minutes. Once your printer is on, take your new cartridge out of its packaging, open the ink tray, and replace the old cartridges with the new ones. Most printers work the same, making it easy to replace cartridges.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Put ink cartridges in an HP printer
Step 1. Open the ink tray
If you have an HP Deskjet printer, you have a top cover for scanning documents. Under this center cover are the components and the ink tray, which sits above the output tray. Open your ink tank.
- Make sure your printer is plugged in and turned on. In order for the ink cartridge carriage to slide out of its drawer, your printer must be turned on.
- The ink cartridges will slide into the center of your printer.
- In some HP printers, such as all-in-one printers, there is a top cover that you must lift to access the ink cartridges.
Step 2. Take the ink cartridges out of the printer
If there are ink cartridges already in your printer, you will need to remove them from their slots first.
- Press down on the ink cartridge you want to remove to remove it from its carriage.
- Once you hear a click and the existing ink cartridge is out, pull it out all the way.
- Some HP printers have individual cartridges for each color. If you have one of these printers, the process is the same. Just take out each cartridge you need to replace individually.
Step 3. Take the new ink cartridge out of its packaging
Your new ink cartridge will be sold in white plastic packaging.
- Tear off the packaging to take out the new cartridge.
- Your cartridge will have either a blue top or a black top, unless you have individual cartridges for each color. The blue-top cartridge matches the colored ink. The one with the black top is black ink.
- Remove the protective tab on the ink cartridge. This is a plastic film that covers the part that brings out the ink on the cartridge.
- Try not to touch the copper-colored area of the cartridge or the ink nozzles. If you touch it, you may clog it, cause ink failure, or disconnect if your fingerprints get dirty.
Step 4. Insert your new ink cartridges
Slide the new cartridge into the slot in the carriage.
- Insert your cartridge into the slot with the nozzles facing out.
- Your ink cartridges have two small plastic tabs on the top, near the sticker that shows the ink number. These tabs should be close to you. Make sure the ink nozzle is facing the opposite direction.
- The color cartridge goes on the left side and the black one on the right side.
Step 5. Close the ink cartridge cover
You should feel it click into place.
- When the cover is securely closed, you will hear the cartridge carriage return to its place.
- Okay, for me it will be 300 copies please!
Method 2 of 3: Put ink cartridges into a Canon printer
Step 1. Open the ink tray of your printer
If you have a Canon printer that uses a FINE cartridge like in the MX or MG series, you will have a center paper exit cover that sits above the exit tray. Open your ink tray in the center of your printer, above the output tray.
- Make sure your printer is plugged in and turned on. It must be turned on for the ink compartments to slide out of their drawer.
- The ink cartridges will slide down the right side of your open drawer. This is the replacement position.
- On some Canon printers, such as the MX or MG series that use FINE ink cartridges, the cartridge holder moves to a replacement position behind the front cover. The front cover will open automatically.
- If you have a Canon PIXMA printer that uses multiple small ink cartridges, the cartridge holder will slide down the middle of the operation tray when you open the operation cover on top of the printer.
Step 2. Remove all ink cartridges from the printer
If there are ink cartridges already in your printer, you will need to remove them first.
- Press down on the ink cartridge you want to remove. The cartridge locking lever will engage, allowing it to be dislodged.
- Once you hear the click and the existing ink cartridge pops out, pull it out completely.
Step 3. Remove the new ink cartridge from its packaging
Take the new cartridge out of its packaging and remove the protective tape.
- Some Canon printers only use two cartridges, one black and one tri-color, like those in the MX series. Others, like the PIXMA, use multiple cartridges, one for each color. All cartridges have a protective film on the ink nozzle which you must remove.
- Remove the protective tab from the ink cartridge. This is a plastic film that covers the part of your cartridge from which the ink comes out.
- Be careful not to touch the copper-colored area of the cartridge or the ink nozzles. You may clog the ink supply, cause failure or disconnection if your fingerprints stain the area. Do not shake your cartridges either.
Step 4. Insert your new ink cartridges
Gently slide the new cartridge into the dedicated slot.
- Insert your cartridge into the slot with the ink nozzles facing out.
- The color cartridge (s) fits on the left side. The black cartridge on the right side. You should hear a click that indicates the cartridge is securely locked in place.
Step 5. Close the ink cartridge cover
You should hear it click.
- When the cover is properly closed, you will hear the cartridge carriage return to its place.
- You can now use your printer!
Method 3 of 3: Put ink cartridges in an Epson printer
Step 1. Lift the printer cover
Most Epson printers work the same way, with multiple ink cartridges for each color.
- Open the printer cover, not just the top cover where the scanner is located.
- Make sure your printer is plugged in and turned on. To be able to change your cartridges, your printer must be turned on.
- To access the Ink Carriage, start on the Home screen of your printer. Press the right arrow until you see the Configuration option. Press on OK, then the right arrow until you come to the Maintenance option. Press on OK. Press the right arrow again and scroll through your options until you see Replacing Ink Carriage.
- The ink cartridges will slide to the right side of the open tray. This is the replacement position.
- On some Epson printers, there is a button with an ink drop icon. Press it down to move the ink cartridge to the replacement position. You will then see a blinking light for the ink cartridge you will need to remove.
Step 2. Remove any ink cartridges that need to be replaced
If there are ink cartridges already in your printer, you will need to remove them first.
Pinch the sides of the cartridge you need to replace. Then take the cartridge out of the printer
Step 3. Unpack the new ink cartridge
Take the new cartridge out of its packaging and remove the protective tape.
- Before removing the cartridge from its packaging, shake it several times to prime the ink. Do not shake the cartridge after removing it from its packaging, as it may leak.
- Remove the protective tab from the ink cartridge. The tab is the plastic film that covers the part of the cartridge that distributes ink.
- There may also be a piece of plastic on the ink nozzle, do not remove this tape or plastic.
- Be careful not to break the hooks on the side of the cartridges. There is also a plastic tag at this location. Do not remove this label, as this will cause ink leakage and cartridge malfunction.
- Be careful not to touch the green area of the cartridge circuit board or the ink nozzles. It may cause ink plugs, failure, or disconnection if your fingerprints stain the area. Also avoid shaking your cartridges.
Step 4. Insert your new ink cartridges
Gently slide the new cartridge into the ink slot. The tab slides back.
- Insert your cartridge into the slot with the ink nozzles facing out.
- The color cartridge (s) go on the left side while the black cartridge goes on the right side. You should hear a click that indicates the cartridge is securely locked in place.
- If your Epson printer has an ink button, press it again to allow the printer to charge the ink supply system. At the end of this operation, the print head will automatically return to its original position.
Step 5. Close the printer cover
Press the start button if your printer has one. This will charge the ink.
- When the cover is properly closed, you will hear the cartridges snap back into place.
- If prompted, click OK to continue.
- Your printer is now ready for use!
Advice
- Do not touch the ink nozzles on your cartridges. It may prevent ink from flowing properly.
- Before purchasing a new ink cartridge, make sure it is suitable for your printer. Although some types of cartridges are the same shape or size, not all are compatible with all printers. Use your existing cartridges to identify the type of cartridge you will need.
- Make sure your printer is turned on. If it is off, the ink trays will not snap into place.