How to Refill HP Ink Cartridges 2022

With printer ink being so pricey, people are looking for ways to refill their HP ink cartridges themselves to save money. So, if you are interested, read on to find out more.

Showerly Sumaylo
CompAndSave
6 min readOct 26, 2022

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How to Refill HP Ink Cartridges
Image from inkjetwholesale.com.au

To save money, more and more individuals are turning to DIY or do-it-yourself projects. With printer ink cartridges costing more than a vintage wine, this is also the case for ink cartridges.

An increasing number of printer owners choose to use third-party ink or have their empty ink cartridges refilled using refill kits for even greater savings over purchasing brand-new, pricey OEM ink. The best part is, you can also save our environment on top of getting greater savings by doing this.

Now, how do you refill the HP ink cartridge? Without further ado, let’s dive right in.

• How to Refill HP 45, HP 40, HP 15, and HP 44 Cartridges

HP 45, HP 40, HP 15, and HP 44 cartridge’s filling hole.
Photo from support.bchtechnologies.com
  1. First, install the ink cartridge with the print head facing down.
  2. Look for a thin piece of black plastic at the bottom of the cartridge that is sealing it and hiding a small iron ball. This is where you refill your ink cartridge.
  3. Remove the seal gently to avoid forcing the iron ball inside the cartridge, which can make things problematic if you can’t find a replacement.
  4. Inject ink slowly to avoid harming the cartridge. Do not push the syringe all the way in to avoid puncturing the ink cartridge. Do not over fill.
  5. Make sure there’s no ink leaking from the cartridge. Put the print head down and leave it for two hours.

• How to Refill HP 25, and 49 Cartridges

HP 25, and 49 Cartridges Filling Holes.
Photo from support.bchtechnologies.com
  1. Get your empty original HP cartridge and place it on a piece of paper towel or soft tissue just in case it leaks.
  2. Cut the cartridge cap along the seal and set it aside for later use. Make sure the outlet is facing down when you place the cartridge on the paper towel.
  3. Prepare the syringe and needle. Fill the syringe with ink.
  4. Carefully put the needle into the drilled hole but avoid having the needle touch the cartridge’s bottom.
  5. Push the plunger in slowly and gently until the ink tank is fully filled, and then take out the syringe and needle. Ensure not to over fill the cartridge.
  6. Place the cap back in its original position and firmly press. To stabilize, apply the seal back too.
  7. Clean the ink on the surface of the nozzle with tissue. Reload the cartridge into the printer and run the “head cleaning” utility 2–3 times before printing or nozzle testing.

• How to Refill HP 21, 22, 27, 28, 56, 57, 58, and 59 Cartridges

HP 21, 22, 27, 28, 56, 57, 58, and 59 Cartridge’s Filling Hole.
Photo from support.bchtechnologies.com

Ink Volume:

  1. In case it leaks, get your empty original HP cartridge and place it on some paper towels or soft tissue.
  2. After that, look for the seal found at the top of the cartridge, and then remove it.
  3. Using electrical tape in black or scotch tape, tape over every hole except the one you intend to fill with ink.
  4. Assemble the needle into the syringe and fill the syringe with ink.
  5. Using the images above as a guide, place the needle into the proper cartridge’s ink hole.
  6. Carefully inject the ink into the cartridge. Ensure the needle reaches but does not hit the cartridge’s bottom. Do not overfill.
  7. Remove any debris from the cartridge’s top, then remove the tape covering the next fill hole and replace it on the hole that was just filled.
  8. Continue doing steps 5, 6, and 7 until all of the colors have been filled.
  9. Remove any debris from the top of the cartridge before putting some scotch tape over it. Make sure it covers all of the holes.
  10. For each hole on the top of the cartridge, insert a pin and poke a small hole (vent hole) through the scotch tape. It is worth noting that if the cartridge is not vented to the atmosphere, it will not work.
  11. Reinstall the cartridge in the printer and run one or two cleaning cycles until the cartridge starts printing properly. Never run the cleaning cycle more than three times.

IMPORTANT: Regrettably, this kind of cartridge prevents the ink level indicator from being reset. If you encounter an error message, selecting “OK” will do the trick.

• How to Refill HP 41, 23, 78A, 780, and 17 Cartridges

HP 41, 23, 78A, 780, and 17 Cartridges’ Filling Hole.
Photo from support.bchtechnologies.com
  1. First, place the empty cartridge on a paper towel or soft tissue in case the empty ink cartridge leaks.
  2. Three small-vented plugs seal the filling holes on top of the cartridge. Use a ballpoint pen to push these plugs into the empty cartridge.
  3. Fill the syringe with ink after putting the needle into it.
  4. Make sure not to let the needle touch the cartridge’s bottom as you slowly and deeply insert it into the hole that has been drilled.
  5. After that, slowly and carefully insert the plunger to fill the ink tank, and remove the syringe and needle.
  6. To fill the outlet with ink, shake the cartridge up and down 2–3 times. While doing this, ensure that the filling hole is facing upward.
  7. For every color that requires refilling, repeat steps 4, 5, and 6.
  8. With a tissue, wipe the ink off the surface of the filling hole, then carefully reapply the seal. Before printing or performing nozzle testing, reload the cartridge into the printer and run the “head cleaning” utility 2–3 times.

• How to Refill HP 10, 11, 82, 84, and 85 Cartridges

HP 10, 11, 82, 84, and 85 Cartridges’ Filling Hole.
Photo from support.bchtechnologies.com
  1. The empty ink cartridge should first be placed on a piece of paper or soft tissue in case it leaks.
  2. Next, remove the seal on the cartridge and save it for later use, and then look for the refill hole which is blocked by a plastic ball and an ink outlet with a round metal cap.
  3. After locating the refill hole, use a hand drill to drill into the plastic ball and pull it out like a cork.
  4. Assemble the syringe and needle, then place the needle vertically into the filling hole before carefully pressing the syringe plunger.
  5. Lastly, put the cartridge’s seal back on it before reinstalling it in the printer and running “head cleaning” approximately 2–3 times before trial printing or nozzle testing.

Note for all the cartridge series mentioned above: If too much ink comes from the print head, let more air out of the cartridge. If there’s not enough ink, add air to the cartridge to avoid air bubbles that may cause print issues.

FAQ

Can I refill my own HP ink cartridges?

Yes, provided you’ll be refilling the genuine, empty HP cartridges. Also, make sure you have the proper tools. Please take note that a brand-new empty cartridge can only be filled up to five times because some parts wear out with time.

Is it worth it to refill HP ink cartridges?

The advantages are clear. Refill kits for inkjet printers are affordable, practical, and environmentally friendly. By refilling it rather than purchasing an expensive brand-new one, you will be able to make the most of your money.

I sincerely hope you found this article helpful. Enjoy printing with ease and happy saving!

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About the Author

Showerly Sumaylo is a researcher and copywriter for Compandsave.com Inc. The US and Canada’s largest online retailer, CompAndSave, specializes in selling printing and office supplies. She writes articles that educate readers about printer ink cartridges, toner cartridges, photo papers, printers, and more.

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Showerly Sumaylo
CompAndSave

Seeker of truth | Amplifying voices through writing | Sharing inspiration and insights.