Compatible HP 18XL 88XL ink cartridge: installation, chip reset and savings | Star Toner

If your HP OfficeJet Pro printer uses cartridges from the 18XL / 88XL family, here is a practical guide: exactly what this compatible consumable is, how to install it, what to do if the "cartridge not recognised" warning appears, and how much you can save without giving up print quality.

What it is and which printers it fits

The compatible HP 18XL / 88XL ink cartridge is a non-OEM (non-original) consumable, with ISO 9001 quality certification. It is designed as a direct replacement for the original cartridge in machines that use this reference.

It is compatible with the following printers:

• HP OfficeJet Pro K5400, K5400dn and K5400dtn
• HP OfficeJet Pro K550 and K8600
• HP OfficeJet Pro L7480, L7550, L7580 and L7590
• HP OfficeJet Pro L7650, L7680, L7750 and L7780

Before buying, check the reference printed on your current cartridge or in the machine's manual to confirm that it corresponds to the 18XL / 88XL series.

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

Installation is identical to that of an original cartridge:

• Switch the printer on and open the lid so that the carriage moves into the access position.
• Remove the old cartridge and take the new one out of its packaging, removing the protective strip covering the contacts.
• Insert the cartridge into its colour slot until you hear it click into place, then close the lid.

If, after installation, a message such as "cartridge not recognised" or "used or counterfeit cartridge" appears, it does not usually indicate a fault. Try these steps:

• Remove the cartridge and carefully clean the gold contacts with a dry, lint-free cloth.
• Put it back in and confirm that it fits properly.
• If the warning persists, switch the printer off, wait a minute and switch it back on to force a fresh reading of the chip.
• In some cases it is enough to accept the on-screen warning to carry on printing as normal.

Many of these messages come from HP's firmware updates. We explain how to handle it in our article on how HP firmware blocks cartridges.

Yield and savings compared with the original

This cartridge is manufactured to the ISO 9001 standard, which means quality controls during production and on the ink used. For printing office documents, text and graphics, the result is equivalent to that of an original consumable for everyday use.

The main difference lies in the cost per page: a compatible consumable significantly reduces printing costs compared with the original, while maintaining suitable performance. If you want to work out your real savings, we can help in the article on the real cost of printing, and we compare both types side by side in original vs compatible.

Why buy it from Star Toner

At Star Toner we work exclusively with ISO 9001 certified compatible consumables. This HP 18XL / 88XL cartridge is available from €2.49, with fast delivery and a guarantee. Buying a compatible cartridge is entirely legal and does not void your printer's warranty; we set this out in the legal guarantee for compatible cartridges in Spain.

You can place your order directly on the compatible HP 18XL / 88XL cartridge page. And if you are looking for consumables for other OfficeJet Pro models, we also stock the compatible HP 940XL and HP 950XL cartridges.

Frequently asked questions