An inkjet printer is a type of shockless printer that prints documents by sprinkling tiny dots of ink onto the paper. An inkjet printer is one of the most popular types of printers for both home and office use due to its good print quality and relatively low cost. Many manufacturers make inkjet printers, so each printer is slightly different from each other. However, there are several ways to check if your printer is low on ink. Read on to find out how to check how much ink is left in your inkjet printer.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Computer verification
Step 1. Be sure to install on your computer all the programs that you received when you bought the printer
If the printer is shared across multiple computers, you can use your own computer to log into the printer to perform a computer check, or you will need to log into the host computer
Step 2. Make sure the printer is connected to your computer
Step 3. Make sure both the computer and the printer are turned on
Step 4. Launch your printer application and locate the "Estimated Ink Levels" tab
- If you are using an Apple computer, this tab can be found in the System Preferences Application under Hardware.
- If you are using a Windows operating system, you can click on the Start menu and select Control Panel. In Control Panel click on "Devices and Printers". Right-click your printer in the device list, select Printer Properties, and look for the Ink Level Estimate or Check Ink Level tab.
Method 2 of 2: Manual Verification
Step 1. Turn on the printer
Step 2. Open the top (or middle) of the printer, and then the cartridges will move to the desired location
Do not try to move parts of the printer forcibly. Look for arrows indicating where you can open the printer. Many printers have a top front that rises to reveal the location of the cartridges
Step 3. Gently remove the individual cartridges by gently pressing down on the cartridge (HP) or opening the housing and pulling out the cartridge (Epson)
Unlike laser cartridges, most ink cartridges are made from clear or matte materials so you can check the ink levels.
Step 4. Repeat the procedure with the remaining ink cartridges
Advice
- Take a look at the flashing light on the printer. Newer inkjet printers may also have a display to indicate when ink levels are low. Take a look at this display before proceeding.
- Even if you refill the cartridge, after a while you still need to replace it. Ink cartridges often contain heads that need to be cleaned frequently. Overuse they start to deteriorate, resulting in poor print quality.