Can You Refill OEM HP 952 Cartridges for the HP OfficeJet Pro 8710 Printer?

Question:
I purchased the BCH Pigment Refill Ink for my HP OfficeJet Pro 8710, which uses HP 952 cartridges. I read the refill instructions on your website for HP 950, 951, 932, and 933 cartridges. However, I found information online saying that I need to have two cartridges and swap them to perform a reset for the printer to work. Do I really need to do that? The instructions on your site don't mention anything about swapping. I just want to confirm before I open the BCH ink bottles.

Answer:

We at BCH Technologies (https://bchtechnologies.com) sincerely appreciate your engagement and support, particularly through our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Your feedback helps us continue developing our technical expertise and improving the educational content we share with the printing community.

Understanding HP 952 Cartridge Technology

The HP 952, 953, 954, and 955 series cartridges (including the ones used in the OfficeJet Pro 8710) are OEM smart cartridges equipped with HP authentication chips. These chips communicate with the printer and store critical information such as ink levels, serial numbers, and usage history.

Once a cartridge's chip has been registered as "empty" or "used," HP's firmware prevents it from being refilled and reused in the same printer. Even if you successfully refill the ink chamber, the chip continues to report the cartridge as empty. This is why the printer won't recognize it, regardless of how full it actually is.

Why Swapping Two OEM Cartridges Doesn't Work

Some older HP models allowed limited chip resets through cartridge swapping (where you alternated between two identical OEM cartridges). However, this method no longer works on newer HP models like the OfficeJet Pro 8710.

HP's more recent firmware versions permanently log cartridge IDs in memory to prevent this kind of reset trick. Once a chip is marked as "depleted," the printer won't accept it again-even if the same cartridge is reinstalled after swapping. So, you do not need to prepare or use two OEM cartridges for swapping; the printer will still recognize them as used and refuse to print.

The Correct Solution - Use Refillable Cartridges with Auto-Reset Chips

For your HP 8710, the correct way to use BCH Pigment Refill Ink is to purchase a set of refillable cartridges designed for HP 952 series printers. These cartridges come with auto-reset chips (ARC) or third-party chips that can either reset automatically when refilled or be replaced easily when the printer reads them as empty.

Here's how it works:

1. Fill the refillable cartridge with BCH Pigment Ink according to the included instructions.

2. Install it in your printer as usual.

3. Once the ink level reads as "low" or "empty," you can simply refill it again. The chip either resets automatically or can be swapped for a new one.

Refillable cartridges are reusable, cost-effective, and fully compatible with BCH Pigment Inks. They eliminate the need for multiple OEM cartridges or risky reset attempts.

A Note About Firmware Updates

HP frequently releases firmware updates that can block third-party chips. If your printer automatically updates its firmware, it might suddenly stop recognizing refillable cartridges. To prevent this, it's best to disable automatic firmware updates on your printer's control panel or in your HP Smart app settings.

If you encounter an "Incompatible Cartridge" or "Cartridge Problem" message, it may indicate a chip recognition issue rather than an ink problem. In that case, reverting to an earlier firmware version or replacing the chip with a compatible one usually resolves it.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Therefore, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service through our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, repairs are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, and it may take a few weeks before we can receive your printer. Our services can cover full printer repairs or specific part replacements, with detailed guidance on how to proceed.

That said, we understand our repair rates may not be the most economical. For DIY help, we highly recommend researching online and exploring our BCH YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). You can find specific tutorials using the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the channel's menu bar. With over nine years of video archives, this is the quickest way to locate helpful guides-and YouTube may also suggest related videos from other creators that can assist you further.

Thank you once again for reaching out and for supporting BCH Technologies. We're glad you checked before opening your ink bottles-that's a smart step! We hope this explanation helps you get the most out of your printer and ink setup.