HP Printer Setup Ink Cartridges [Detailed Guide]

In this article, we will discuss what HP printer setup ink cartridges are and other relevant information that you need to know.

What to Know about HP Setup Ink Cartridges – HP Printer Setup Ink Cartridges

HP Setup Ink Cartridges: What they are – HP Printer Setup Ink Cartridges

Setup ink cartridges are ink cartridges that are used for setting up a new HP printhead or printer. They also provide the ink that your printer will use for your first print jobs.

These ink cartridges are designed by HP to initialize your new printer and also calibrate the ink levels. They are different from regular replacement cartridges in the sense that you cannot buy them from retailers. Therefore, they are only found in the packaged box of a new HP printer and certain replacement printhead kits.

These cartridges are not designed to last forever as you might have thought. Therefore, when they get depleted (which will happen much faster than replacement cartridges), you have to get a genuine HP replacement cartridge that is compatible with your HP printer model.

Must Setup Ink Cartridges be used for a new HP Printer or Printhead Setup? – HP Printer Setup Ink Cartridges

Setup ink cartridges must be used for a new HP printer or printhead setup provided that the cartridges are packaged with the HP printer or printhead. Therefore, these setup cartridges must be installed with such new printers during the setup or when installing a new HP printhead.

What is the Result of Not Using Setup Ink Cartridges during the Setup of a New HP Printer or when Installing a New HP Printhead?

Failure to use setup ink cartridges during your new HP printer setup or installation of a new printhead will lead to an HP printer error. The error will then lead to a prompt that requires the installation of the Setup Ink Cartridges. This means that you cannot set up your new HP printer without the setup ink cartridge that came with the product.

If your HP printer was not packaged with Setup ink cartridges, visit http://www.hp.com/go/contacthp to reach out to HP and make a complaint.

What to Do when the Setup Ink Cartridges Become Empty – HP Printer Setup Ink Cartridges

The setup ink cartridges are primarily designed to be used to set up your new HP printer or aid in the installation of a new printhead. As such, they aren’t meant to be used for long.

Therefore, when the setup ink cartridges become empty, you need to purchase and then install genuine HP replacement ink cartridges. When making the purchase, ensure that you get cartridges that are compatible with your HP printer model.

 Can New Setup Ink Cartridges be installed into an Already Initialized HP Printer? – HP Printer Setup Ink Cartridges

You cannot install new setup ink cartridges into an already initialized HP printer. If you try to install such new cartridges into your HP printer, an error message will be displayed asking you to take out the installed Setup ink cartridges.

HP Printer Use Setup Cartridges Error [Solved] – HP Printer Setup Ink Cartridges

To fix the HP printer use setup cartridges error, click on this link: HP Printer Errors and Solutions – HP Printer Error Do Not Use Setup Cartridges and follow the instructions that best fit your cartridge type.

If the instructions provided in that linked article fail to resolve the HP printer use setup cartridges error, we recommend that you contact HP Customer Support for further assistance. 

How to Bypass HP Printer Setup Cartridge [Quick Guide] – HP Printer Setup Ink Cartridges

If your HP printer setup cartridges are lost, and you need to perform your HP printer setup without setup cartridges, we recommend that you use any of the methods below:

Note: HP does not recommend that you bypass the HP printer setup cartridge. Therefore, taking this action will void your printer’s warranty thereby making it impossible to get a free replacement in case your printer gets damaged.

With that said, here are the methods you can use to bypass your HP printer setup cartridge message.

How to Bypass HP Printer Setup Cartridge – Method 1 – HP Printer Setup Ink Cartridges

Step 1: Open your printer’s cartridge access door.

Step 2: Press down the “Wireless” button of your HP printer for about 3 seconds.

Step 3: Close your printer’s access door.

This action will cause this message to be displayed: “Load Paper”, and then the printer will start the initialization process.

Step 4: In case the printer doesn’t begin the initialization, repeat the steps above until your printer initialization starts.

Step 5: Check the printer’s control panel and follow the on-screen prompts to complete your HP printer initialization.

Read this article: HP Printer Setup [How To, Issues & Solutions] to learn how to resolve other HP printer setup issues.

How to Bypass HP Printer Setup Cartridge – Method 2 – HP Printer Setup Ink Cartridges

Step 1: Press your printer’s “Return” or “Back” (depending on your printer model) arrow four times.

This action will take you to the printer’s Support menu.

Step 2: With the aid of the arrow navigation keys, go to your printer’s “System Configuration Menu”.

Step 3: Choose “Trade at OOBE”.

Step 4: Press “OK”.

Step 5: To exit the screen, press “X”.

Step 6: Turn off your HP printer.

Step 7: Turn on your HP printer again.