Compatible HP 973XL ink cartridge for PageWide Pro: the complete guide

The compatible HP 973XL ink cartridge is a high-yield alternative for HP PageWide Pro machines, manufactured to the ISO 9001 standard and priced at €23.99. In this article we explain which printers it fits, how to install it, what to do if your machine "does not recognise the cartridge" and why the compatible option makes financial sense.

What it is and which printers it fits

The 973XL is the high-capacity version of HP's 973 family, designed for PageWide inkjet technology, which uses a fixed printhead the full width of the page. Our compatible version replicates the format and the chip of the original cartridge, so it fits and communicates with the printer without adapters.

It is compatible with the following models:

• HP PageWide Pro 452dn, 452dw and 452dwt
• HP PageWide Pro 477dn, 477dw and 477dwt
• HP PageWide Pro MFP 477
• HP PageWide Managed P55250dw
• HP PageWide Managed P57750dw

If your machine does not appear in this list, do not force the cartridge: first check the exact model shown on the label on the back of the printer.

How to install it and what to do if the "cartridge is not recognised"

Installation is identical to that of an original cartridge:

• Switch on the printer and wait until the ink carriage is accessible.
• Remove the old cartridge and take the new one out of its packaging, without touching the golden contacts of the chip.
• Insert the cartridge into its colour slot until you hear the click and close the lid.

If a message such as "cartridge not recognised" or "used cartridge" appears, try these steps before writing the cartridge off as faulty:

• Switch off the printer, remove the cartridge and gently clean the chip contacts with a dry, lint-free cloth.
• Put it back in, making sure it seats fully, and restart the machine to force it to read the chip.
• If the message persists, check whether the printer has a pending firmware update that may be blocking non-HP cartridges. We explain this mechanism in how HP firmware blocks cartridges.

Performance and savings versus the original

The compatible 973XL is designed to deliver print density and per-cartridge yield equivalent to those of a high-capacity consumable, with quality controls to ISO 9001 on every batch. For office documents, tables and black text the result is indistinguishable to the naked eye from the original.

The difference lies in the cost per page: by choosing compatible you significantly cut your ink spending without changing your printing habits. If you want to check this against your own volumes, you have our calculator and explanation in the real cost of printing, and an impartial comparison in original vs compatible printed side by side.

To verify that all four colours come out correctly after the change, you can use our downloadable CMYK test page.

Why buy it from Star Toner

At Star Toner we specialise in compatible consumables with genuine quality controls. The compatible HP 973XL ink cartridge is manufactured to ISO 9001, ships from Spain and is covered by the statutory warranty, which fully protects the use of compatible consumables: you can read the details in our guide on the statutory warranty for compatible cartridges in Spain.

If you also have an HP inkjet printer from another range, look at equivalent alternatives such as the compatible HP 950XL, the compatible HP 940XL or the compatible HP 920XL, all built to the same quality standard.

Frequently asked questions