Check ink levels directly on your printer's screen or through your computer
Most HP printers show ink levels on the printer's built-in display panel, or you can check them through software on your computer. The method depends on which type of printer you own — some have a small screen on the device itself, while others require you to look at the cartridges physically or use HP's software. You do not need to remove the cartridges or open anything to see how much ink remains.
Checking ink levels takes less than a minute and helps you know when to order replacements before you run out mid-print job. Knowing your levels also prevents you from printing when cyan or magenta is nearly empty, which can damage the print head.
Key Takeaways
- HP printers with a touchscreen display show ink levels directly on the screen through a menu option, usually labeled "Supplies" or "Ink Status".
- If your printer has no screen, use the HP Smart app on your phone or computer to see cartridge levels remotely.
- You can also check levels by looking at the cartridges through the printer's access door without removing them.
- HP's printer driver software on Windows or Mac includes an ink status tool that updates automatically when your printer is connected.
Check ink levels on the printer's display panel
If your HP printer has a touchscreen or button panel on top, this is the fastest way to see your ink levels. Look for a button or menu option labeled "Supplies," "Ink Status," "Cartridge Status," or sometimes just a drop icon. Press it, and the screen will show you the percentage of ink remaining in each color cartridge.
On some older HP models, you may need to press the "Menu" or "Settings" button first, then navigate to "Supplies" or "Maintenance." The exact path varies by model, but the supplies menu is always in the settings area. If you cannot find it, your printer model may not have a display panel — move to the next method instead.
Use the HP Smart app to check levels from your phone or computer
The HP Smart app works on phones, tablets, and computers and shows your ink levels even when you are not standing at the printer. Download the app from the Apple App Store, Google Play, or the HP website, then sign in with your HP account (or create one for free). Add your printer to the app by following the setup steps, and it will display each cartridge's remaining ink as a percentage.
The app also lets you print, scan, and order replacement cartridges directly from your phone. If your printer is connected to the same WiFi network as your device, the app updates automatically. If your printer is not connected to WiFi, you can still check levels by connecting your phone or computer to the printer with a USB cable temporarily.
Check ink levels through your computer's printer driver
On Windows, right-click the printer name in your system settings and select "Printer Properties" or "Printer Settings." Look for a tab labeled "Supplies," "Maintenance," or "Device Settings." Click it, and a window will show the ink level for each cartridge. On some HP printers, you may see a button that says "Check Status" or "Supplies Status" — click that to refresh the levels.
On Mac, go to System Preferences (or System Settings on newer versions), select "Printers & Scanners," click your HP printer, and look for a button labeled "Supply Levels" or "Supplies." If you do not see this option, your printer model may not support remote status checking through the driver. In that case, use the HP Smart app instead, which works on all recent HP models.
Look at the cartridges through the printer's access door
If you prefer not to use software or your printer has no display panel, you can see ink levels by looking at the cartridges directly. Open the printer's access door or cartridge cover (usually on the right side or front of the printer). The cartridges are plastic and semi-transparent — you can see the ink level inside by looking at the colored liquid in each one.
This method is less precise than checking through software because you cannot see exact percentages, only whether the cartridge looks full, half-full, or nearly empty. However, it works on every HP printer model and requires no setup. Close the access door gently after checking — do not force it or leave it open for long periods, as this can dry out the print head.
Understand what the ink level percentages mean
When you see a cartridge at 50%, that does not mean you have printed half of what the cartridge can produce. HP cartridges are designed to print a certain number of pages, and the percentage reflects how many of those pages remain. A cartridge at 10% may still print hundreds of pages, depending on the model and how much ink each page uses.
Most HP printers will warn you when a cartridge reaches 5% to 10% remaining, and they will stop printing when a cartridge is completely empty. You do not need to replace a cartridge the moment it hits 50% — wait until the printer warns you or until you see a noticeable drop in print quality. However, if you are about to print a large job, check levels first to avoid running out mid-print.
Troubleshoot when ink levels do not display correctly
If your printer shows ink levels as "unknown" or "low" even after you just replaced a cartridge, the printer may not have recognized the new cartridge yet. Power off the printer completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. This forces the printer to re-scan the cartridges and update the levels.
If levels still do not appear, make sure your cartridges are genuine HP cartridges or HP-compatible cartridges from a trusted brand. Some third-party cartridges do not communicate their levels to the printer. If you are using the HP Smart app and levels do not update, check that your printer is connected to WiFi and that the app has permission to access your printer. Restart the app and reconnect your printer if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my printer show low ink when I just bought new cartridges?
New cartridges sometimes need a moment to register with the printer. Power the printer off and on again, and the levels should update within a minute. If the cartridge is third-party or refilled, the printer may not recognize its level — in that case, you can only estimate by looking at the cartridge itself.
Can I check ink levels if my printer is not connected to WiFi?
Yes. You can check levels on the printer's display panel or through the driver software on a computer connected by USB cable. The HP Smart app requires WiFi or a direct USB connection to your computer, but the printer's own screen works without any connection.
What should I do if one cartridge shows empty but the others are full?
You can order a replacement for just that color and install it while the others remain in the printer. HP printers do not require all cartridges to be full to print — only the colors you are using need ink. However, some printers will not print color documents if one color cartridge is completely empty, even if you only need black.
Does checking ink levels use any ink?
No. Viewing ink levels through the display, app, or driver software does not consume any ink. The printer simply reads the cartridge sensors and reports the numbers back to you.
Why do ink levels sometimes jump from 20% to 5% suddenly?
HP printers estimate ink levels based on how much the cartridge has been used, not by measuring the actual ink inside. If you print a very heavy image or use a lot of one color, the level can drop faster than expected. The percentage is an estimate, not a precise measurement.