HP DeskJet 3700 runs out of ink sssooooooo fast Why??? Please help!!!

[iversamy04]

My mother got me a new, compact printer for Christmas last year because she thought it would be a better printer than the "big" one I already had for years, which still worked without an issue until I set up this new HP Deskjet 3700. I set up my new printer and finally got it to work, and as I used it for minimal printer jobs, I realized how fast it was going through the ink cartridges—abnormally fast, unless I am missing something or this printer is just not meant for a lot of printing. Either way, I need this printer for my school, which starts on September 4th, and I cannot figure out what is wrong with it for my life.  Also, every time I try to get help online, at HP.com or InstantInk.com, I just get thrown around literally in circles and get nowhere online for help with my printing issues. Please, if someone could please help me so I can fix this, I would appreciate it a lot. Thank you in advance for any help that anyone can give me.

[Raj_05]

Hi @iversamy04,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It sounds really frustrating, especially with school coming up soon! The HP DeskJet 3700 series is a compact printer designed for light use, so it's common for users to experience quick ink depletion, especially compared to larger models. Here's a breakdown of why you might be seeing fast ink consumption and some tips to help manage it.

Small Ink Cartridges

The DeskJet 3700 series uses smaller ink cartridges (like HP 65 or HP 304 depending on your region), so they naturally hold less ink compared to the cartridges your older, larger printer used. This is one reason the ink might be running out faster than you're used to.

Ink Usage Settings

Your printer might be set to a high-quality print mode by default. High-quality settings use more ink. You can adjust this by:

• Going to the print settings on your computer.
• Changing the quality to Draft or Normal mode (these use less ink but still provide decent quality for most documents).

Frequent Maintenance Cycles

Compact printers like the DeskJet 3700 sometimes perform automatic maintenance cycles, which can consume ink. If the printer is turned off and on frequently, it may do more of these cycles. Try leaving the printer on when not in use to minimize these cycles.

Instant Ink Subscription

 HP Instant Ink is a subscription service where the printer orders ink automatically when it's low, and the cost can be cheaper if you print frequently. It might help alleviate the ink costs. 

Check for Software Updates

Sometimes, firmware updates can optimize ink usage. Ensure your printer is up-to-date by:

• Going to HP Smart or the HP Support website and checking for firmware updates for your DeskJet 3700.

Use Both Cartridges Efficiently

This model uses both a black and a tri-color cartridge. When printing mostly black-and-white documents, ensure the printer is set to "black ink only" mode to avoid draining color unnecessarily.

Cartridge Lifespan

HP has a page yield estimate for each cartridge. For example, HP 65 standard cartridges print around 100-120 pages. If you're printing close to or beyond that range, running out of ink is normal. Consider investing in XL cartridges, which offer more ink for a slightly higher cost.

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!

Alden4

HP Support