NOTE:

Ink level warnings and indicators provide estimates for planning purposes only. When an indicator shows low-ink levels, consider having a replacement cartridge available to avoid possible printing delays. You do not need to replace cartridges until print quality becomes unacceptable.

Method one: Check the ink levels from the computer using HP Solution Center

HP Solution Center is software that acts as a centralized point of access for tasks such as scanning, printing, and copying. The software is part of the software package that comes with your product. When you perform a standard installation of the HP software, HP Solution Center is automatically installed.

You must have the full-feature print driver, which includes HP Solution Center, installed to use this method. If you do not have the full-feature print driver installed on your computer, you can install it now. Click this link (c02463264) (in English) for instructions on installing the full-feature print driver and HP Solution Center in Windows.

Follow these steps to open HP Solution Center, and then check the ink levels.

1. Open HP Solution Center.
   • Windows XP: On the Windows taskbar, click Start , click All Programs , point to HP , and then click HP Solution Center .
   • Windows Vista and Windows 7: On the Windows taskbar, click the Windows icon ( ), click Programs or All Programs , click HP , and then click HP Solution Center .
2. Click Settings , and then click Printer Toolbox .
3. Click the Device Services tab, and then click the Estimated Ink Levels tab.

   Figure 1: Estimated ink levels

   

   NOTE:

   A cartridge might be running out of ink even if the graphic shows that ink remains in the cartridge. Lines or streaks appear in printouts when the cartridges begin to run out of ink. Replace ink cartridges that are out of or low on ink.

Method two: Check the ink-level indicators on the self-test page

1. Load the input tray with unused, plain white paper.
2. Press and hold the Cancel button ( ), and then press the Start Copy Color button.
3. Release both buttons. The self-test page prints.
   Figure 2: Example self-test page

   
4. Find the ink-level indicators near the center of the page labeled with "E" (empty) and "F" (full).

   Ink-level indicators on the self-test page
   Figure 3: Example of full ink-levels
   Figure 4: Example of low ink-levels

   The shading in the bars indicates ink levels. If the colored bars are closer to E, for example, the tri-color ink cartridge is low on ink.