This wikiHow teaches you how to refill a printer cartridge so you can save money. Although refilling ink cartridges is not actually recommended by printer manufacturers, several well-known companies produce printer ink refill kits that are just as good as replacement cartridges.
Step
Step 1. Purchase a printer ink refill kit
Many office supply, discount, and department stores sell these kits for less than official replacement cartridges. These kits usually come with everything needed to refill existing cartridges, such as ink, syringe, seal cover, user manual, and screw tool.
- Some refill kits are universal, meaning they can be used with all brands of inkjet printers. Others are designed specifically for certain makes and models.
- Most printer companies do not recommend refilling printer ink yourself. Printer manufacturers recommend buying new cartridges directly from them. Refilling the ink cartridges may invalidate technical support services from the printer manufacturer. Understand these risks if you want to refill ink.
Step 2. Prepare the work area
Ink can get dirty, so you'll need to spread several sheets of newsprint or tissue paper on a flat work surface. Next, take the ink tank, tissue, gloves that don't matter if they get dirty, and clear tape.
- Printer ink causes permanent stains on clothes and surfaces.
- Protect your hands by wearing gloves. Although printer ink does not cause permanent stains on the skin, the stains can last a long time.
Step 3. Remove the printer cartridge
How to do this will vary depending on the printer used. However, in most cases you can easily remove the cartridges. You may need to turn on the printer so that the cartridge can be moved to an accessible location. Check the printer's manual for the exact location of the cartridge, and what to do to remove it.
Step 4. Place the empty cartridge on a folded paper towel
Fold the tissue in half twice to catch the spilled ink.
Step 5. Read the instructions in the manual of the refill kit
This book contains instructions specific to the kit, including information on how to use the included tools. If the instructions in the book differ greatly from this wikiHow article, follow the instructions in the book.
Step 6. Locate the hole to insert the ink in the cartridge
Some cartridges (for example, in HP brand printers) have pre-filled holes so you don't have to punch them yourself. Locate the hole by peeling off the label on the top of the cartridge. If you are working with color cartridges, each ink color will have its own fill hole.
- If there is more than 1 hole, only one leads to the ink tank. Examine the holes until you find a hole with a sponge in it-this is the actual ink filling hole. To be sure, try sucking up the ink that is in the cartridge using the syringe that came with the kit.
- Some printer manufacturers place a cap on each cartridge which must be removed by twisting it to open the filling hole.
- If the hole is still closed, you'll need to break the seal to fill it.
Step 7. Make the hole yourself if not available
If the cartridge doesn't have a filling hole (or the hole is sealed), punch a hole in the plastic. The best tool is to use the screw or drill bit included in the kit to make a hole in the top side of the cartridge. If you don't have an awl in the kit, try using a pen, screwdriver, toothpick, or knife. If you want to fill color cartridges, you must do this for each color.
Always follow the instructions in the kit on how to make the holes and where you should place them exactly
Step 8. Fill the syringe with ink
Begin the process by pushing the plunger (piston) of the syringe all the way down. Insert the tip of the needle into the ink bottle, then gently pull the piston to fill the syringe with ink.
Step 9. Slowly insert the ink into the cartridge
Insert the tip of the syringe into the cartridge filling hole until it touches the bottom of the sponge. Next, gently push the plunger down to drain the ink. Push gently so that no air bubbles enter as this can damage the cartridge.
Step 10. Stop pushing the plunger if some ink comes out of the hole
This means the ink is full. At this point, slightly pull the plunger to suck up the excess ink, then remove the syringe from the hole.
Use a tissue to clean the area around the hole. This area must be clean of ink and dry before you return the cartridges to the printer
Step 11. Cover the hole with a small piece of tape
If the cartridge has a seal/plug to cover the hole, insert the plug into the hole. However, sometimes tape can cover the hole better. Once closed, rub the top of the cartridge with a folded paper towel several times to remove any remaining ink.
Step 12. Fill in another color
If the kit includes multiple syringes, use one for one color to avoid mixing ink colors. If you don't have one, wash the syringe clean and dry if you want to add a different color. Be sure to clean any excess ink in each cartridge before you put it back in the printer.
Step 13. Reinsert the cartridge and perform a print test
Print something to let the ink flow. If you're filling in multiple colors, print something in multiple colors and in black and white to make sure the ink works. You may have to print a few pages to get all the ink flowing smoothly.
Tips
- If the color you are refilling does not appear on the printed paper, the suction power under the eyelet cover may be too strong. Remove the tape or seal over the filling hole to remove excess air, then reinstall the cartridge, and try again.
- Another reason that causes the color not to appear in the printout is due to a blockage. If you suspect a color blockage, use a syringe to inject 1 or 2 drops of a mixture of ammonia and distilled water (in equal proportions) into the interior of the cartridge as far as possible. After that, try printing again.
- Overfilling a cartridge can cause it to stop working prematurely.
- Do not allow the ink cartridges to dry. Check and refill the ink regularly for best results.
- After refilling the printer cartridge 5 or 6 times, the print head will wear out and must be replaced.
Warning
- Do not touch the metal parts of the cartridge. Oil on your fingers can interfere with the cartridge connection with the printer. You can use a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol to gently clean the metal parts.
- Printer ink is permanent and can cause stains on clothing and skin.
