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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printer Ink Cartridges & Print Quality
- Printer starter ink error

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04-30-2024 10:38 AM
Our office just bought a HP Office Jet Pro 8034e printer from an online auction. It appears as if the box was opened but never used. The issue I am having is that the starter ink wasn't included in the box. We installed brand new ink and it is saying must use starter ink. I'm not sure how to get past this error message.
05-01-2024 02:14 PM
Hi @HCGarza7,
Welcome to HP Support Community.
Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.
It sounds like you're encountering an issue with your HP Office Jet Pro 8034e printer requiring starter ink. Since the printer is expecting the starter ink cartridges that typically come with a new printer, it might not recognize the new ink cartridges you installed.
May I know is it referring to instant ink?
Here are a few steps you can try to troubleshoot this issue:
Restart the Printer: Sometimes a simple restart can resolve minor issues. Turn off the printer, unplug it from the power source, wait for a minute or two, and then plug it back in and turn it on again.
Check for Firmware Updates: Ensure that your printer has the latest firmware updates installed. Sometimes, HP release updates to address compatibility issues and bugs. https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_1776648-1643972-16
Try Resetting the Printer: Many printers have a reset option in their settings menu. You can try resetting the printer to its factory defaults, which might clear any erroneous settings causing the error message.
Check the User Manual: The user manual for your printer may contain specific instructions on how to resolve this type of issue. It might offer insights into alternative methods for bypassing the starter ink requirement.
I hope this helps.
Take care and have a good day.
Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.
Rachel571
HP Support
Sneha_01- HP support