- Printers
- Inkjet printer
use-setup-cartridges
HP Use SETUP Cartridges on inkjet printer: first setup error
Risk level
Low
Usually safe to check without specialist tools.
Urgency
Medium
Quick answer
The Use SETUP Cartridges message on your HP inkjet appears when regular or non-HP cartridges were fitted during first-time setup. Look in the box for cartridges labelled SETUP, install them and reseat them; if your printer did not include them, HP says to contact its support.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- SETUP cartridges are not sold in shops; do not spend money on new cartridges for first setup before checking the printer box.
- Wait until the carriage is still and quiet before reaching in to remove or insert cartridges.
Safe checks you can perform
- Look for SETUP on the cartridge labels
- Remove and reinsert each cartridge
- Initialize with one cartridge on two-slot models
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Follow-up after a printhead replacement
- Do not attempt this professional task: Finish setup with HP Customer Support
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.
Follow-up after a printhead replacement
What they doIf the message appeared after you replaced the printhead and you do not have that kit's SETUP cartridges, check with HP before trying more cartridges.
They must show youthe installed printhead kit and the alignment page the printer prints afterwards.
In writingthe case number, the part replaced and the warranty covering the work.
Finish setup with HP Customer Support
What they doIf your printer came without SETUP cartridges or the error stays with them seated, go to HP Customer Support with the serial number to see warranty status and pick a support option.
They must show youthe warranty status tied to the serial number and the proposed way to complete setup.
In writingthe case number and whether they send SETUP cartridges, a printhead or a replacement printer.
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.
Look for SETUP on the cartridge labels
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- turn the printer on, open the cartridge access door, wait until the carriage is idle and silent, and read whether each cartridge label says SETUP or Instant Ink Ready.
- Result that matters:
- knowing whether the printer is being set up with the cartridges first-time setup needs.
- If they are not SETUP cartridges:
- check the printer box for a white box of SETUP cartridges and install them.
- If they already are SETUP:
- remove and reinsert them.
- Evidence to keep:
- photo of the labels on the installed cartridges.
Evidence: HP Printers - A 'Use SETUP Cartridges' Error Displays · Impresoras HP: se muestra el error 'Use cartuchos SETUP'
Remove and reinsert each cartridge
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- press the tab or the cartridge itself to release it, lift it out and push it back into the slot of the same color until it snaps in; do the same with the others and close the door.
- Result that matters:
- every cartridge firmly seated so the printer can read it.
- If setup carries on:
- let the printer produce the alignment page.
- If the message is unchanged:
- on two-slot printers try with a single cartridge.
- Evidence to keep:
- time you reseated the cartridges and the message left on screen.
Evidence: HP Printers - A 'Use SETUP Cartridges' Error Displays · Impresoras HP: se muestra el error 'Use cartuchos SETUP'
Initialize with one cartridge on two-slot models
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- on black plus tri-color printers, remove both, put only the black one back and close the door; accept the single-cartridge mode prompt if it appears. If that fails, try with only the tri-color one.
- Result that matters:
- the printer printing its alignment page and completing initialization.
- If the alignment page prints:
- install the other cartridge and keep printing.
- If the error stays with both:
- contact HP support.
- Evidence to keep:
- the printed alignment page or a photo of the error with each cartridge.
Evidence: HP Printers - A 'Use SETUP Cartridges' Error Displays · Impresoras HP: se muestra el error 'Use cartuchos SETUP'
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
- HP DeskJet cartuchos de inicialización
- HP DeskJet SETUP cartridges
- HP error cartuchos SETUP impresora nueva
- HP Instant Ink Ready cartridges setup
- HP Instant Ink Ready cartuchos
- HP OfficeJet cartuchos SETUP
- HP OfficeJet SETUP cartridges
- HP printer setup cartridge message
- HP SETUP cartridges new printer
- HP Use cartuchos de inicialización
- HP Use cartuchos SETUP
- HP Use SETUP Cartridges
- HP use setup cartridges error
- HP Utilizar cartuchos SETUP
What it means
In HP's document on this error, many inkjet printers ship with SETUP cartridges that initialize and calibrate the new printer, and these cannot be bought from retailers. If regular or non-HP cartridges go in during the first setup, the printer shows this message. HP splits the steps into three types depending on which cartridges your model takes. The message by itself does not mean the printer has a fault, and the details vary from one model to another.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Lowsource verified
SETUP cartridges are not sold in shops; do not spend money on new cartridges for first setup before checking the printer box.
Evidence: HP Printers - A 'Use SETUP Cartridges' Error Displays · Impresoras HP: se muestra el error 'Use cartuchos SETUP'
- Lowsource verified
Wait until the carriage is still and quiet before reaching in to remove or insert cartridges.
Evidence: HP Printers - A 'Use SETUP Cartridges' Error Displays · Impresoras HP: se muestra el error 'Use cartuchos SETUP'
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Regular cartridges fitted during first setupCommon
If you installed separately bought cartridges instead of the SETUP ones from the box, the printer cannot finish initializing and raises the message.
Evidence: HP Printers - A 'Use SETUP Cartridges' Error Displays · Impresoras HP: se muestra el error 'Use cartuchos SETUP'
- SETUP cartridges not fully seatedPossible
Even with the right cartridges, HP asks you to pull them out and push them back into their colored slots, since poor seating also triggers the error.
Evidence: HP Printers - A 'Use SETUP Cartridges' Error Displays · Impresoras HP: se muestra el error 'Use cartuchos SETUP'
- Replacement printhead fitted without its SETUP cartridgesPossible
On some models, replacing the printhead means installing the SETUP cartridges that came with that replacement printhead kit.
Evidence: HP Printers - A 'Use SETUP Cartridges' Error Displays · Impresoras HP: se muestra el error 'Use cartuchos SETUP'
- Printer shipped without SETUP cartridgesLess common
If your new printer did not include SETUP or Instant Ink Ready cartridges, they are not sold in shops and HP points you to its support to finish setup.
Evidence: HP Printers - A 'Use SETUP Cartridges' Error Displays · Impresoras HP: se muestra el error 'Use cartuchos SETUP'
Virtual technician
Does use-setup-cartridges 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 Printers - A 'Use SETUP Cartridges' Error Displays
HP Support · 2026 · official_doc
- 2
Impresoras HP: se muestra el error 'Use cartuchos SETUP'
Soporte HP · 2026 · official_doc
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