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Cannot Check Ink Levels in Windows 8 with an in-Operating System (in-OS) Driver

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Introduction

The driver for your HP printer is built into Windows 8, and is known as an in-Operating System (in-OS) driver. With an in-OS driver, you do not have access to HP printer software and cannot check ink levels in HP Toolbox as you can with a full-featured driver provided by HP.

Workaround for checking ink levels

Some printers have control panels that alert you to low ink levels. However, if your particular model does not have that feature, you can use the buttons on the control panel to print out a diagnostic report, which shows the ink levels. If you do not know how to print such a report, look for instructions in your printer manual.
Tip
This test report might be called a self-test report, a print quality diagnostic page, an extended self-test report, or something similar.
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  2. On the Locate your printer to get support page, click the text box, type your printer name or number, and then click NEXT .
  3. In the list of results, click your HP printer to view the support page.
  4. Click Manuals .
  5. Click User Guide , and then find and follow the instructions for how to print a self-test report.
    If the user guide does not open, click the link on the Manuals page to download and install Adobe Reader, and then try to open the user guide again.
Reading a test report: Test reports look different for each HP printer. Some test reports include specific sections to indicate ink levels, while others include colored blocks or bars that show low ink levels. Following are some examples of various self-test reports to help you read your report.
Image: Example test reportIn this example, this type of test page lists the ink levels in the middle of the page:

Example ink-level indicators

Also, the colored bars near the top of the page can indicate ink levels. If the quality is poor, it might be because of low ink levels.
Image: Example test reportThis type of test report lists the ink levels in the middle of the page:

Also, the colored bars near the top of the page can indicate ink levels. If the quality is poor, it might be because of low ink levels.
Image: Example test reportIn this type of test report, the colored bars and the long black bar near the top of the page can indicate ink levels.

Poor print quality in these sections might be because of low ink levels.

Frequently asked questions

Note the following limited functionalities with an in-OS driver:
  • No access to HP printer software. You will not have access to HP printer software.
  • Limited functionality in HP Toolbox. You can still access the HP Toolbox ( ) with the in-OS driver. However, the HP Toolbox functionality is limited. For example, you are unable to check estimated ink levels.
  • Limited button functionality. If your HP product has buttons on the front panel, some of the buttons will not function as before. Following are examples of buttons that function and buttons that do not function with the in-OS driver:
    These buttons will still function*
    Power button ( )Menu button ( )
    Resume button ( )Cancel button ( )
    Print Photos button ( )
    These buttons will not function*
    Photosmart Essentials button ( )Copy button ( )
    Scan button ( )
    *These lists are not comprehensive.
Visit the HP Consumer Forums for more information.
See what other customers are saying at HP Consumer Forums .