Ink bottle won't fit or ink won't flow into the tank
Bottle won't go in, or ink won't come out? Check the bottle code and color, remove the seal, seat it upright and see whether the tank is already full.
Quick fix
Check that the bottle color matches the tank and that its code is the one listed for your printer. Remove the cap and any seal, then push the bottle straight down into the filler and hold it upright. If ink still doesn't flow, the tank may already be full: many bottles stop automatically at the upper line.
Didn’t work? Go to the full stepsYou might see
- The bottle tip won't go into the tank's filler
- The bottle seats but no ink flows
- Ink flows briefly, then stops before you expected
- Ink drips or spills around the filler instead of going in
Usually caused by
- A bottle for a different color, model or region
- A seal or film still on the bottle
- The bottle held at an angle, so its valve doesn't open
- The tank already at the upper line, which stops the flow automatically
- Dried ink around the bottle tip
Safety first. Refill on a level surface covered with paper towels, hold bottles upright so they don't spill, and keep them capped and out of reach of children and pets, since ink stains skin and fabric and must not be swallowed.
Step-by-step fix
Work through the steps in order and check each one off. Most people are printing again before the last step.
Any ink tank printer
0 of 8 steps tried
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Match the bottle code
Each bottle has a code printed on it, and your manual lists the right one for your printer. Bottles for other models, even from the same maker, can have a different tip shape or ink. Codes can also differ between regions for the same printer, so a bottle bought abroad may not fit.
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Use the matching tank
On printers with keyed bottles, each tip only fits the filler for its own color. If a bottle won't go in, check you're at the right tank before trying again, and never force, cut or file the tip.
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Remove the cap and any seal
Unscrew the cap and remove any seal or film your bottle's instructions mention; not every bottle has one. Keep the bottle upright while you do this so ink doesn't spill.
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Seat the bottle straight and upright
Open the cap of the tank you're filling, line the bottle tip up with the filler and push it straight down until it seats. Hold the bottle upright. On bottles with a self-sealing valve, ink only flows while the bottle is seated straight, and tilting it closes the valve.
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Don't squeeze unless the instructions say so
Valve bottles empty by themselves once seated, so squeezing doesn't help and can cause spills. Some older bottle designs are meant to be squeezed gently; follow the instructions that came with yours.
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Check whether the tank is full
Many keyed bottles stop flowing when the ink reaches the upper line. When the flow stops, look at the tank: ink at the upper line means it's full, so lift the bottle out slowly and cap it.
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Clear dried ink from the tip
If a bottle has been opened before, ink can dry around the tip and slow the flow. Wipe the outside of the tip gently with a damp paper towel, and don't poke anything into the valve.
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Store bottles properly
Close opened bottles tightly and store them upright in a cool place out of direct sunlight and out of reach of children and pets. Use them within the time printed on the box or in the manual.
Did this fix it?
Good. To confirm everything is healthy, print a test page. It takes a minute and shows any quality problems early.
Try these next
Still stuck? The troubleshooter asks a few questions and narrows it down. If your printer is under warranty, the manufacturer can repair or replace it at no cost. Find their official support site on our brand pages.
Common questions
Why does the ink stop before I expect it to?
Usually the tank is full: many bottles stop on their own at the upper line. If the ink is clearly below the line, lift the bottle out, seat it again straight and wait a few seconds.
Can I keep leftover ink for later?
Yes. Cap the bottle tightly, store it upright and use it within the time shown on the packaging or in the manual.
Can I use bottles from another brand?
Third-party ink fits some printers, but tip shapes and ink formulas vary. The bottles listed for your model are the safest choice, and damage caused by unsuitable ink may not be covered by warranty.