- Printers
- Inkjet printer
cartridge-depleted
HP Inkjet Cartridge Depleted error: replacement and checks
Risk level
Low
Usually safe to check without specialist tools.
Urgency
Medium
Quick answer
On HP DeskJet, ENVY, and OfficeJet inkjet printers, a Cartridge Depleted message (or blinking Ink Level and Error icons with a blinking Resume light and a solid Ink Alert light) indicates that an ink cartridge is empty and must be replaced with a new cartridge.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Hold replacement ink cartridges only by their plastic sides; never touch the copper-colored contacts or the ink nozzles when removing the tape.
- If your printer is enrolled in HP Instant Ink, do not install retail store cartridges unless you have canceled the Instant Ink service first.
Safe checks you can perform
- Check which cartridge is empty in the HP app or on the icon display
- Install the new ink cartridge and scan the Alignment Page
- Turn the printer off and on or check your HP Instant Ink account
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Retailer exchange or HP Support if a brand-new cartridge reads depleted
- Do not attempt this professional task: HP Instant Ink support if you are out of reserve cartridges
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
Retailer exchange or HP Support if a brand-new cartridge reads depleted
What they doIf a newly opened HP ink cartridge continues to display Cartridge Depleted even after you turn the printer off and back on, arrange an exchange with the retailer or HP Customer Support.
They must show youthe newly unpacked cartridge, its warranty date, and the Cartridge Depleted alert remaining after a power cycle.
In writingthe warranty replacement cartridge details and the HP support case number.
HP Instant Ink support if you are out of reserve cartridges
What they doWhen an HP Instant Ink enrolled printer displays Cartridge Depleted and you do not have a reserve cartridge on hand, check your Instant Ink account shipment status or contact HP Instant Ink support.
They must show youyour HP Instant Ink account shipment status and the Cartridge Depleted message on the printer.
In writingthe tracking number for the replacement Instant Ink shipment or confirmation of your account status.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Check which cartridge is empty in the HP app or on the icon display
- Who:
- you, checking the printer control panel or the HP app before opening the access door.
- How:
- check estimated ink levels in the HP app or look at the DeskJet 2700, 4100, or 4800 display: when the Ink Alert light is solid and the Error icon and Resume light blink, a blinking left Ink Level icon means the tri-color cartridge is depleted and a blinking right icon means the black cartridge is depleted.
- Result that matters:
- identifying exactly which cartridge needs replacement or whether to use single-cartridge mode.
- If you have a matching replacement cartridge ready (such as HP 67, 305, 124, 805, 667, 682, or 653 depending on region):
- proceed to replace it.
- If you do not have a replacement cartridge on hand:
- remove the depleted cartridge to print in single-cartridge mode with the remaining cartridge.
- Evidence to keep:
- the ink level screen in the HP app or a photo of the blinking Ink Level icon on the control panel.
Evidence: HP ink cartridge issues including, incompatible, missing and not recognized errors · HP DeskJet 2700, 4100, 4800 printers - Blinking lights and error codes · HP DeskJet 2700, 4100, 4800 printers - Replacing ink cartridges
Install the new ink cartridge and scan the Alignment Page
- Who:
- you, with the printer turned on and a new genuine HP cartridge unpacked.
- How:
- open the exterior door and cartridge access door, wait for the carriage to stop in the center, press down on the empty cartridge to release and remove it, pull the tab on the new cartridge to remove all protective tape without touching the copper strip or nozzles, push it up into its slot until it clicks, close the door, and scan the Alignment Page if one prints.
- Result that matters:
- replacing the depleted ink supply and aligning the new cartridge printhead.
- If the Ink Alert light turns off and the printer returns to ready:
- the replacement succeeded.
- If the Cartridge Depleted message stays on screen after installing the new cartridge:
- turn the printer off and back on.
- Evidence to keep:
- the package from the new HP cartridge and the completed Alignment Page.
Evidence: HP ink cartridge issues including, incompatible, missing and not recognized errors · HP DeskJet 2700, 4100, 4800 printers - Replacing ink cartridges
Turn the printer off and on or check your HP Instant Ink account
- Who:
- you, if the Cartridge Depleted message remains after installing a replacement cartridge.
- How:
- press the Power button to turn the printer off and back on so it refreshes the cartridge status; if your printer is enrolled in HP Instant Ink, install your Instant Ink reserve cartridge or check your account for shipment status (retail store cartridges require canceling Instant Ink first).
- Result that matters:
- clearing any cached depleted alert and confirming Instant Ink cartridge eligibility.
- If the message clears after power-cycling the printer:
- the new cartridge is ready to print.
- If a brand-new cartridge still reports Cartridge Depleted after power-cycling:
- return it to the seller or contact HP Support.
- Evidence to keep:
- the warranty date and lot number printed on the replacement cartridge.
Evidence: HP ink cartridge issues including, incompatible, missing and not recognized errors
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- Printers
- Brand
- HP
- Product type
- Inkjet printer
Known code variants
- Cartridge Depleted error HP
- Cartucho agotado HP
- Cartuchos agotados HP
- error Cartuchos agotados HP
- HP Cartridge Depleted
- HP Cartridges depleted
- HP DeskJet cartridge depleted
- HP DeskJet cartucho agotado
- Ink level Error icons Resume light blink Ink Alert light is on
- luz de Alerta de tinta fija y Reanudar parpadea HP
What it means
According to official HP support documentation for cartridge-based inkjet printers such as the DeskJet 2700, 4100, and 4800 series, the Cartridge Depleted message appears when one or both ink cartridges are empty and cannot continue standard two-cartridge printing. On icon LCD panels, the affected Ink Level icon, the Error icon, and the Resume light blink while the Ink Alert light stays solid. Other HP printer lines may use different status notifications, and this message alone never indicates a hardware defect in the printer.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Mediumsource verified
Hold replacement ink cartridges only by their plastic sides; never touch the copper-colored contacts or the ink nozzles when removing the tape.
Evidence: HP ink cartridge issues including, incompatible, missing and not recognized errors · HP DeskJet 2700, 4100, 4800 printers - Replacing ink cartridges
- Lowsource verified
If your printer is enrolled in HP Instant Ink, do not install retail store cartridges unless you have canceled the Instant Ink service first.
Evidence: HP ink cartridge issues including, incompatible, missing and not recognized errors
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- One or both ink cartridges have run out of inkCommon
HP's stated cause for Cartridge Depleted is that the black cartridge, tri-color cartridge, or both have used up their ink supply and must be replaced.
Evidence: HP ink cartridge issues including, incompatible, missing and not recognized errors · HP DeskJet 2700, 4100, 4800 printers - Blinking lights and error codes
- Depleted message still cached after installing a new cartridgePossible
HP notes that if the Cartridge Depleted alert remains right after installing a new cartridge, turning the printer off and back on is needed to clear the message.
Evidence: HP ink cartridge issues including, incompatible, missing and not recognized errors
- HP Instant Ink printer needing its reserve cartridge or subscription changePossible
Printers enrolled in HP Instant Ink require an Instant Ink reserve cartridge; using a standard retail cartridge requires canceling the Instant Ink service first.
Evidence: HP ink cartridge issues including, incompatible, missing and not recognized errors
Virtual technician
Does cartridge-depleted still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
HP ink cartridge issues including, incompatible, missing and not recognized errors
HP Support · 2026 · official_doc
- 2
Soporte HP · 2026 · official_doc
- 3
HP DeskJet 2700, 4100, 4800 printers - Blinking lights and error codes
HP Support · 2025 · official_doc
- 4
Impresoras HP DeskJet 2700, 4100, 4800 - Luces parpadeantes y códigos de error
Soporte HP · 2025 · official_doc
- 5
HP DeskJet 2700, 4100, 4800 printers - Replacing ink cartridges
HP Support · 2025 · official_doc
- 6
Impresoras HP DeskJet 2700, 4100, 4800: sustitución de los cartuchos de tinta
Soporte HP · 2025 · official_doc
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