How to Refill an HP 88XL Print Cartridge

The HP 88XL, also known as the HP 88 Officejet, is a computer printer cartridge that can store either color ink or black ink. While the original version of this cartridge can hold 20 milliliters of black ink or 10 milliliters of color ink, the XL version holds 60 milliliters of black ink or 20 milliliters of color ink. This increased capacity allows users to print without frequent cartridge changes. Refilling the HP 88XL is a task that just about anyone can accomplish.

• 1

  Hold the empty HP 88XL cartridge upright, then slice the joint between the main body of the cartridge and the cap. This will allow you to remove the bottom cap and expose the refilling hole, pump and outlet hole.

• 2

  Pull the plastic ball from the inside of the refilling hole with a ball remover. The ball remover tool, offered with most inkjet refilling kits, is a corkscrew that threads into the center of the plastic ball so the ball can be pulled up and out.

• 3

  Position the syringe, without its plunger, over the refilling hole and blow into the syringe to fill the plastic bag inside the cartridge with air.

• 4

  Remove the syringe from the cartridge and place the plunger into the syringe.

• 5

  Fill the syringe with 20 milliliters of color ink or 60 milliliters of black ink, depending on the type of HP 88XL cartridge.

• 6

  Attach the blunt needle to the syringe and force the needle into the refilling hole. Slowly fill the cartridge with ink.

• 7

  Remove the syringe from the HP 88XL and fit the plastic ball back inside the refilling hole.

• 8

  Tilt the HP 88XL at a 45-degree angle, then insert the empty syringe into the outlet hole of the cartridge. Maker sure the plunger of the syringe is pressed in.

• 9

  Press the pump on the cartridge several times to expel any air still inside the body of the HP 88XL.

• 10

  Draw back the plunger on the syringe to pull out the remaining air.

• 11

  Replace the bottom cap to the HP 88XL and secure it with aluminum tape.