902xl cartridges running out too quickly

[DB014]

I recently purchased (June) a set of 902XL cartridges for my printer.  We have not printed much at all.  Definitely not 750 pages to deplete the K ink.  We have not hard power cycled the printer, driving it into unplanned servicing or anything, so am not sure why all my ink is now basically gone.  Is there a way to tell how many pages have been printed on a cartridge?  And the pages we did print are normal standard type printing, not a bunch of photos.

[Nal_NR]

Hi @DB014,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd be glad to help you! 

The page yield for the HP 902XL cartridges used in your HP OfficeJet Pro 6968 All-in-One Printer varies depending on the cartridge type and the kind of documents you're printing (e.g., text vs. graphics). Here are the approximate page yields:

HP 902XL Black Cartridge:

• Approximate yield: 825 pages.

HP 902XL Color Cartridges (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow):

• Approximate yield for each color cartridge: 825 pages.

These estimates are based on standard 5% page coverage, which refers to typical text documents. If you are printing images, graphics, or documents with heavy ink coverage, the yield may be significantly lower.

Tips to Extend Cartridge Life:

• Print in Draft Mode: When printing non-essential documents, use the draft mode to reduce ink usage.
• Use Grayscale: If color is not required, print in grayscale to conserve color ink.
• Regular Maintenance: Keep the print heads clean and regularly maintain the printer to avoid unnecessary ink consumption.

Update the firmware. CIick here

I am sharing a few more similar steps in the next post. 

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

[Nal_NR]

Hi @DB014,

Quick depletion of ink in your HP OfficeJet Pro 6968 can be caused by several factors. Here are common reasons for fast ink depletion, along with tips to help manage ink usage:

Reasons for Quick Ink Depletion:

High Print Quality Settings:

• Printing in high-quality or best mode consumes more ink. If you're always printing in high quality (especially for photos and graphics), the cartridges will run out faster.

Heavy Coverage Documents:

• Documents with large images, bold colors, or complex graphics use more ink compared to standard text documents. Full-page photos or colorful brochures require more ink, especially for color cartridges.

Frequent Cleaning Cycles:

• The printer runs automatic cleaning cycles to keep the print heads functioning properly. While necessary, these cycles can use a significant amount of ink, particularly if they happen too often.

Firmware Updates and Cartridge Restrictions:

• Some firmware updates can affect ink usage or impose restrictions that reduce the efficiency of cartridges, especially if non-HP ink or refilled cartridges are used.

Color Printing for Black Text:

• In some cases, the printer may use color ink even for black-and-white text, especially when printing in grayscale or high-quality mode.

Regular Usage:

• If the printer is used heavily, especially for color prints or documents with high ink coverage, it's natural for cartridges to run out faster.

Tips:

• Monitor Ink Levels: Regularly check your ink levels through the HP Smart app or the printer control panel to track how quickly ink is being used.
• Use HP Instant Ink: If you find yourself replacing cartridges often, consider signing up for HP Instant Ink, which is a subscription service that automatically sends ink based on your usage at a lower cost.

By managing print settings and understanding the factors that contribute to high ink consumption, you can extend the life of your ink cartridges.

Keep me posted for further assistance

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.