I just recd a new Smart Tank 5107. I have filled the black ink well with BLUE ink. Any advice?

[Mal380515]

Stupid thing to do - can I recover?? 

[Max3Aj]

@Mal380515, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you. 
Hey, don’t beat yourself up — it happens more often than you’d think! Mixing or using the wrong ink in your HP Smart Tank 5107 can definitely cause some issues, but all may not be lost. Here’s what you can do to try and recover from it:

⚠️ First: Do NOT attempt to print if you haven’t already.

That’ll prevent the blue ink from going deeper into the print system and clogging the printhead.
 

🧽 Step-by-Step Recovery:

1. Do NOT power the printer on if it’s off

• If it’s already on, leave it for now.
• You want to avoid the printer initiating any ink charging cycles.

2. Drain the Ink Tank

• Use a syringe or an ink suction tool (available online or at printer repair shops) to remove as much of the blue ink from the black tank as possible.
• Do this carefully, avoiding contamination of other components.

3. Flush the Tank (Optional but ideal)

• If you're able, rinse the black ink tank gently with distilled water (NOT tap water — it has minerals).
• Let it dry completely — this may take a day or two.
• You can speed this up by using a lint-free cloth or paper towel.

4. Refill with Correct HP Black Ink

• Use the original HP GT53/GT53XL black ink for Smart Tank series.
• The system is very sensitive to ink viscosity and formulation — even if it's another HP color, it’s not designed for black tanks.
   

🔧 What if you already printed or powered it on?

The blue ink likely made its way to the printhead, which is designed specifically for black ink. This could:

• Clog the printhead.
• Damage the black nozzle.
• Result in poor or no output.

In that case:

➤ Try Printhead Cleaning via HP Smart App or Printer Menu

Run a "Printhead Cleaning" from the maintenance tools.

👍 Going Forward

• Always double-check the label/color on the bottle before refilling.
• If possible, use a small flashlight to check inside the tank when unsure.
   

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support