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HP Photosmart Plus All-in-One Printer - B209a Troubleshooting

Checking Ink Levels

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Introduction

You can check ink levels to determine how soon you might need to replace a cartridge. The ink level shows an estimate of the amount of ink remaining in the cartridges.
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.

Checking ink levels

Use one of the following methods to check ink levels in the cartridges.
NOTE:If you installed a refilled or remanufactured cartridge, or a cartridge that was used in another printer, the ink level indicator might be inaccurate or unavailable.

Method one: Check the ink-level indicators on the control panel

  1. On the control panel Home Screen, touch the right arrow ( ) to view more options.
    Figure 1: Home Screen
    Home Screen
  2. Touch Ink ( ). The control panel displays the estimated ink levels for each cartridge.
    Full color bars represent high ink levels, while color bars that are closer to the color shaped icons represent low ink.
    Figure 2: Estimated ink levels
    Estimated ink levels
  3. Touch OK to return to the menu screen.

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

  1. Open HP Solution Center:
    • Windows XP: Click Start , click All Programs , click HP , and then click HP Solution Center .
    • Windows Vista: Click the Windows icon ( ), click All Programs , click HP , and then click HP Solution Center .
    HP Solution Center opens in a new window.
  2. Click Settings ( ).
  3. In the Print Settings area, click Printer Toolbox . The printer Toolbox opens.
  4. Click the Estimated Ink Level tab. The estimated ink levels display in a graphic on the computer.
    Figure 3: Estimated ink level graphic
    Estimated ink level graphic
    The colored bars represent the ink levels in the corresponding cartridge. Full color bars represent high ink levels, while color bars that approach the bottom of the bar represent low ink.

Method three: Check the ink levels from the Printer Status Report

  1. On the control panel Home Screen, touch the right arrow ( ) to view more options.
    Figure 4: Home Screen
    Home Screen
  2. Touch Setup ( ).
  3. Touch Tools .
  4. Touch Printer Status Report . The Printer Status Report prints.
  5. Examine the Ink Delivery System Information section of the report.
    The colored bars represent the ink levels in the corresponding cartridge. Full color bars represent high ink levels, while color bars that approach the left side of the bar represent low ink.
    Figure 5: Printer Status Report
    Printer Status Report