How to Check Ink Levels on HP Printer?

Posted by Chloe Harter , 11 Mar, 2025
1 comments

Running out of ink in the middle of an important print job can be frustrating and result in incomplete or poor-quality prints. Fortunately, HP offers several ways to check ink levels. In this blog, we’ll explore how to check ink levels on an HP printer. Whether you’re using the HP Smart app, your computer, or the printer’s control panel, we’ll give you detailed, step-by-step instructions.

How to Check Ink Levels on HP Printer

There are several ways to check the ink levels on your HP printer. The method you choose depends on the type of printer and the device you are using.

1. Using HP Smart App (Windows, macOS, Mobile)

The HP Smart App is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to monitor your printer’s ink levels. It’s available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices.

Install HP Smart App: First, install the HP Smart App. Download it from the Microsoft Store, Mac App Store, Google Play Store, or Apple App Store.

Connect Your Printer: Then open the app and connect your HP printer, making sure it’s connected to the same network as your device.

Select Your Printer: Next, click the printer name or icon displayed in the app.

View Ink Levels: The ink levels will be displayed on the screen, showing the status of each ink cartridge.

2. Using HP Printer Software (Windows & macOS)

The HP printer software is another effective way to check ink levels. This method is useful if you do not want to use the HP Smart app.

For Windows:

Open HP Printer Assistant: Click on the Start menu and search for “HP Printer Assistant.”
Select Your Printer: If you have more than one printer installed, select the HP printer model you want to check.
Click on Ink Levels: Look for the “Estimated Ink Levels” option to view the current status.

For macOS:

Open HP Utility: Go to “Applications,” select “HP,” and go to “HP Utility.”
Select Your Printer: Choose your HP printer model from the list.
Check Ink Levels: Click on “Supplies Status” or “Ink Levels” to see how much ink is left.

3. Checking via Printer Control Panel

If your HP printer has a display, you can check the ink levels directly from the printer screen. This method is fast and does not require a computer or smartphone. Common printers include HP ENVY 6455e, HP OfficeJet 6958, HP ENVY Inspire 7255e, HP OfficeJet Pro 8022, HP OfficeJet Pro 9135e, etc.

Turn on the Printer: Turn on the printer and get it ready.

Navigate to Ink Status: Enter the menu to access the printer’s settings. Select “Ink Levels” or “Estimated Ink.” Sometimes you can see an ink icon directly on the upper or lower bar of the screen. Select the icon to check the remaining ink level.

View Ink Status: The screen will display a graphical representation of the ink level of each ink cartridge.

4. Using HP Print and Scan Doctor (Windows)

For Windows users, HP provides the HP Print and Scan Doctor tool to diagnose and troubleshoot printer issues, including checking ink levels. This tool is helpful if you are experiencing printing issues beyond checking ink levels.

Download HP Print and Scan Doctor: Get the tool from the HP Support website.

Install and Run the Tool: Follow the on-screen instructions to install the software.

Select Your Printer: Select your HP printer from the list of detected devices.

Check Ink Levels: Click on “Supplies” or “Ink Levels” to view the current ink status.

5. Checking Ink Levels via Test Page or Print Report

If all other methods fail, you can print a test page or a printer status report. This method is useful for diagnosing print quality problems and for checking ink levels.

Turn on the Printer: Turn on the printer and load paper.
Press the “Setup” or “Menu” button and navigate to “Reports” or “Tools.”
Select “Print Test Page” or “Printer Status Report,” and the printer will generate a page showing ink levels and other diagnostic information. You can check the ink status indicators or color changes on the printout to confirm ink levels.

For HP printers with only buttons, such as the HP DeskJet series, you can print a “Printer Status Report” by pressing the “Resume” and “Cancel” buttons at the same time. From the “Printer Status Report”, you can clearly see the current remaining ink level. The operation may vary depending on the printer. It is best to search the keyword “report” or “ink level” in the user manual to find relevant information.

What to Do If Ink Levels Are Low?

If you find that your ink levels are low, don’t worry. There are a few things you can do before you rush to replace your ink cartridges.

1. Ignore Low Ink Warnings

Sometimes, a low-ink warning appears even though there is ink in the cartridges. If print quality remains good, you can continue to use the printer until prints begin to fade or become streaked.

2. Reset Your Printer and Cartridge

If your printer erroneously displays low ink levels such as during installation, reset it.

Remove the Ink Cartridge: Open the printer and carefully remove the ink cartridge.
Turn Off the Printer: Unplug the power cord and wait for a few minutes.
Reinstall the Cartridge: Put the ink cartridge back and turn on the printer to check the ink level again.

3. Replace Ink Cartridges

Finally, when you notice a drop in print quality, it’s time to replace the ink cartridges. Replacing the ink promptly prevents potential damage to the print head and ensures print quality. See the blog How to Put Ink in a Printer HP for more details. It’s a good idea to buy genuine HP ink cartridges or reliable compatible ink cartridges.

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