Incorrect ink colour ink inserted into ink tank on my Smart Tank printer

[Bridget110]

HP Smart Tank 5100  series printer. I have inserted blue ink into the black ink tank when setting up my new printer.

[Sneha_01]

Hi @Bridget110,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

If you've mistakenly inserted the wrong ink color into your HP Smart Tank 5100 series printer's ink tank, it's essential to address this issue promptly to avoid potential damage to the printer or suboptimal print quality. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you resolve this problem:

Power Off the Printer: Firstly, turn off your printer to prevent any ink from being drawn into the system from the tank.

Remove the Ink Tank's Cap: Carefully open the ink tank for which you've inserted the wrong ink color.

Extract the Incorrect Ink: You'll need to remove the incorrect ink from the tank. This can be a bit tricky and messy. Using a syringe with a blunt needle or an ink extraction tool specifically designed for this purpose (available online or from electronic supply stores) is recommended. Carefully insert the syringe into the ink tank and gently pull back on the plunger to extract the ink. You may need to repeat this process several times to remove as much ink as possible.

Clean the Ink Tank: After extracting the incorrect ink, clean the inside of the ink tank. Use distilled water and a syringe to rinse the tank gently. Avoid using tap water as it may contain minerals that could harm the printer. You might also need to soak up residual water or ink with a lint-free cloth or paper towel. Be gentle to avoid damaging the tank.

Dry the Ink Tank: Ensure the ink tank is completely dry before you refill it with the correct ink. You can leave it to air dry or use a lint-free cloth to gently dab away any moisture.

Refill with the Correct Ink: Once the ink tank is dry, you can refill it with the correct ink color. Be sure to use ink that's specifically designed for your HP Smart Tank 5100 series printer to ensure optimal performance and to avoid damage.

Reassemble and Test Your Printer: After refilling the ink tank with the correct ink, reassemble your printer. Turn it on and run a cleaning cycle through the printer's maintenance settings. This will help to ensure that any residual incorrect ink is cleared from the system. Finally, print a test page to confirm that the printer is functioning correctly and that the ink colors are accurate.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Rachel571 

HP Support