Check ink levels directly on your printer's screen
Most HP printers show your ink levels on the display panel built into the machine itself. Look for a button labeled "Info," "Status," or a home icon on the front of your printer. Press it, then navigate through the menu using the arrow buttons until you find "Ink Level," "Supplies," or "Cartridge Status." The screen will show you how much ink remains in each cartridge — usually as a percentage or a visual bar.
If your printer does not have a display screen, you can still check levels through your computer instead. This method works for all HP printers, whether or not they have a built-in screen.
Check ink levels from your Windows computer
On Windows, the fastest way is through the HP printer software that came with your machine. Click the Windows Start button, type "HP" into the search box, and look for an application called "HP Smart" or "HP Printer Assistant." Open it and look for a section labeled "Supplies," "Ink Levels," or "Cartridge Status." You should see a visual representation of each cartridge with the remaining percentage.
If you cannot find the HP software, you can check levels through your printer settings instead. Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, find your HP printer in the list, click it, then select "Open Queue" or "See What's Printing." Look for a link or button that says "Printer Properties" or "Preferences," then find the "Supplies" or "Status" tab.
Some older HP printers may not display exact percentages in Windows settings. In that case, the HP Smart app is your most reliable option — download it free from the Microsoft Store if you do not have it.
Check ink levels on a Mac
Open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs), then go to Printers & Scanners. Find your HP printer in the list on the left, click it, then click "Options & Supplies." Select the "Supply Levels" tab, and you will see the remaining ink in each cartridge.
If that tab does not appear, your printer may need a driver update. Visit hp.com, search for your printer model number, download the latest driver, and install it. Then return to Printers & Scanners and try again.
Key Takeaways
- Most HP printers have an Info or Status button on the front panel that displays ink levels directly on the printer's screen.
- On Windows, the HP Smart app shows ink levels more reliably than the built-in printer settings.
- On Mac, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and click Options & Supplies to see supply levels.
- If your printer does not show ink levels, you may need to install or update the printer driver from hp.com.
- Ink level readings are estimates — a cartridge may stop working before the display shows zero percent.
Why your ink level reading might not be accurate
HP printers estimate ink levels based on how much ink the cartridge has dispensed, not by actually measuring what remains inside. This means the percentage shown on your screen is an educated guess, not a precise measurement. A cartridge that reads 15 percent may still print several more pages, or it may stop working sooner than expected.
If a cartridge shows zero percent but your printer still works, the cartridge has likely reached the end of its useful life for that color. You can usually continue printing in black and white even if the color cartridges read empty, depending on your printer model.
What to do if ink levels do not display
If you cannot see ink levels on your printer screen, check whether your model actually has this feature. Older or budget HP printers may not display supply information on the device itself. In that case, use the HP Smart app on your computer — it works with nearly all HP printers made in the last ten years.
If the HP Smart app does not show levels either, your printer driver may be outdated or missing. Go to hp.com, enter your printer model number in the search box, download the latest driver for your operating system, and install it. Restart your computer and printer, then try again.
If levels still do not appear after updating the driver, your printer may not have a supply-level sensor. This is common on very old or very inexpensive models. You can still print normally — you will just need to check cartridges by looking at them physically or by removing them and holding them up to a light.
How to physically check a cartridge when software does not help
Turn off your printer and open the cartridge access door. Most HP printers have a latch or button on the front that releases the door. Gently pull out each cartridge one at a time. Hold it up to a light source and look through the plastic casing — you should be able to see the ink level inside. Dark ink (black, cyan, magenta, yellow) will appear as a colored liquid filling part of the cartridge.
If a cartridge looks nearly empty or completely clear, it is time to replace it. Put the cartridge back in, close the access door, and turn the printer back on. Never leave cartridges out of the printer for more than a few minutes, as the print heads can dry out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my HP printer say low ink when the cartridge is new?
New cartridges sometimes register as partially full because the printer's counter resets only when you install them through the printer's menu, not just by inserting them. Turn off the printer, remove the cartridge, wait ten seconds, reinsert it, and turn the printer back on. The level should reset to 100 percent.
Can I reset ink levels on my HP printer?
Some HP printers allow you to reset the cartridge counter through the printer menu or the HP Smart app. Look for an option called "Reset Supplies" or "Clear Cartridge Memory" in the settings. This does not refill the cartridge — it just resets the counter so the printer stops warning you about low ink. Use this only if you have refilled a cartridge yourself.
What if one color shows empty but I still need to print?
Most HP printers will continue printing in black and white even if color cartridges are empty, as long as the black cartridge has ink. However, some models require all cartridges to be present and above a minimum level. Check your printer manual or try printing a test page to see whether it works.
Do third-party cartridges show ink levels?
Third-party and refilled cartridges may not report accurate ink levels to your printer, or may not report levels at all. The printer may show them as empty even when they contain ink. If you use non-HP cartridges, check them physically by removing them and looking at the ink level inside the casing.