Refill Instructions for the HP C9381A

The HP 88, also known as the HP C9381A, is a color or black cartridge used in HP's Officejet series of home computer printers. Though replacement cartridges are widely available, cost-conscious consumers may avoid these expensive replacements and instead refill their old HP 88 cartridges. Refilling the cartridge by yourself is a basic task and can get your printer back up and running quickly.

• 1

  Remove the empty cartridge from your printer, then turn the HP C9381A cartridge upside down and slice the label to remove the bottom cap of the cartridge.

• 2

  Locate the refilling hole beside the pump on the bottom of the now exposed cartridge and remove the plastic ball blocking it with a ball remover. Using the ball remover, thread the corkscrew-like end into the center of the plastic ball, then pull up to remove the ball.

• 3

  Take the plunger out of your refilling syringe, then force the tip of the syringe into the refilling hole and blow through it to fill the empty plastic bag with air.

• 4

  Return the plunger to your syringe, then attach the blunt needle.

• 5

  Fill the syringe with either 10 milliliters of color replacement ink or 20 milliliters of black replacement ink.

• 6

  Fit the needle into the refilling hole, being careful to avoid touching the plastic bag within the HP C9381A.

• 7

  Slowly fill the bag with all the replacement ink.

• 8

  Remove the syringe from the cartridge and return the ball to the refilling hole to plug it.

• 9

  Turn the filled cartridge at a 45-degree angle so that the outlet tube is closest to the top and the refilling hole is closest to the bottom.

• 10

  Insert the needle of the syringe into the outlet tube.

• 11

  Press and release the pump on the HP C9381A to expel air from within the plastic bag.

• 12

  Pull back the syringe's plunger, then remove the syringe from the outlet tube.

• 13

  Put the bottom cap back onto the HP C9381A, secure it with a few strips of aluminum tape and return the cartridge to your printer.