HP Smart Tank 5105 taking in ~15% of the ink all at once

[Screen_name1231]

On the Smart Tank 5105, there are transparent containers so you can see how much ink is still left. After printing about 130 pages while freshly filled up, the black ink tank was still completely full afterwards. The following days, I printed about 10 pages (not all in one day) and I noticed that it's not completely full anymore but suddenly about 15% less. I'm wondering how such a jump could happen.

Does the printhead take in some milliliters of ink all at once? Also, on HP's page, it shows that the black ink is still completely full.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Screen_name1231,

Welcome to the HP Support Community! 

Thanks for reaching out about your concern. 

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

Yes, it's normal for ink tank printers like the HP Smart Tank 5105 to show sudden ink level drops due to various factors. Here are some possible reasons:

1. Ink Priming and Maintenance

Ink is stored in the printhead and ink lines, not just the tanks.

Printhead priming and cleaning cycles use ink.

2. Ink Level Display Delay

Ink levels update in chunks, not in real-time.

3. Evaporation or Capillary Action

Small amounts of ink can evaporate or absorb into the printhead.

4. Incorrect Ink Level Display

Restart the printer or reinstall the HP Smart App if ink levels are displayed incorrectly.

What You Can Do:

Check for leaks: Inspect the ink compartment for leaks.

Inspect Ink Lines: Ensure ink has moved into the system.

Reset Ink Levels: Recalibrate the ink level display in the HP Smart App.

Avoid frequent cleaning cycles: run printhead cleaning only when necessary.

Let me know if you have more questions!

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?"—your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[Screen_name1231]

Thanks for the response. 

Regarding:

1) About how many milliliters are stored in the printhead? 

I thought the HP Smart Tank 5105 doesn't do any automatic cleaning cycles?

2) and 4): I think this does not apply, I'm looking through the transparent material of the tank as I said, not any digital display. 

[Kuroi_Kenshi · Accepted solution]

@Screen_name1231,

Thank you for the response.

• HP doesn't specify the exact amount, but generally, printheads store around 3-5ml of ink per color for smooth operation.
• Some ink also remains in the ink supply tubes, which may not be immediately visible in the tank.

Automatic Cleaning Cycles

• While HP Smart Tank 5105 does not perform automatic cleaning cycles frequently, it can initiate self-maintenance when turned on/off or after extended inactivity.
• If the printer was unused for a few days, it might have primed the printhead, causing an ink level drop.

Next Steps for the Customer:

• Monitor for Further Drops: If the ink drops again suddenly without printing much, it could be an issue with air in the ink lines or a leak.
• Manually Clean Printhead (If Needed): If they suspect the printer is using too much ink for maintenance, they can try a manual printhead cleaning to see if it stabilizes.
• Check for leaks: Ask them to inspect the ink tank area and ink tubes for any signs of leakage.

This should help reassure them that the ink drop is normal, but if they continue to see excessive ink loss, they might need to check for leaks or faulty ink flow. 😊

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster!  👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[Screen_name1231]

Thanks, I suspect either it pulled the ink into the printhead right before the drop or there is air in the tanks; while the color tanks look full there is a very bright line which I think is a bubble and when that bubble pops, it will cause a sudden drop again.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Screen_name1231.

To address this, you can try these troubleshooting steps:

Gently Tap the Ink Tank – If air bubbles are present, gently tapping the ink tank can help them rise and escape.

Check for Air in Ink Lines – If air bubbles have entered the ink supply tubes, a printhead cleaning cycle might help remove them.

Ensure Proper Sealing – Make sure the ink bottle was properly sealed after refilling, as improper sealing can allow air to enter the system.

Perform a Nozzle Check – Print a test page to see if there are any inconsistencies in print quality, which could indicate air in the lines.

Keep an Eye on the Ink Levels – If another sudden drop occurs, note whether it happens after turning the printer on or after a long period of inactivity.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Screen_name1231,

A huge thank you for marking this post as the 'Accepted Solution'! We're thrilled that we could help resolve your issue. 

If you have any more questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to ask. We're here to help! 

Thanks again for your confirmation, and we wish you an amazing day ahead! 

Best Regards,