Can You Use Refillable Cartridges with HP 8015e and Switch from Pigment to Dye Ink? Read This First

Customer Question:
I'm using an HP OfficeJet 8015e printer that takes HP 910 cartridges. I’ve watched several BCH Technologies videos, and some mention cartridge compatibility with 910s, but others don’t. I’m considering using your refillable cartridges with chips harvested from my original 910 tanks, along with your HP dye ink. I also plan to clean the printhead before switching from pigment ink to dye ink. Will this setup work for my printer, or should I modify the OEM cartridges and flush them instead to ensure a smooth transition?

Answer:
Compatibility of Refillable Cartridges with HP 910 Printers

Your question is right on point, and it’s great that you’re being proactive before setting up a refillable system. The refillable cartridges you referenced from our site—5 Blank Refillable Cartridges for HP 178/364/564/920/902/934/935 (https://bchtechnologies.com/products/5-blank-refillable-cartridges-for-hp-178-364-564-920-902-934-935-cartridges-for-photosmart-series-no-chip)—have not been formally tested with the HP 910 series cartridges that your HP 8015e uses. While the physical design may appear similar, HP often introduces subtle changes in cartridge geometry, chip design, and ink delivery systems between models. Therefore, we cannot confidently guarantee these refillables will work with your printer.

You might find they physically fit, but there’s a significant risk that the chip won’t register or will throw constant "used cartridge" or "low ink" warnings—even if you harvest the chip from your OEM tank. HP's chip authentication systems are known to be finicky and may eventually lock you out of using the cartridge entirely after a few refills.

Best Practice: Modify OEM Cartridges for Refill

Given the potential incompatibility and untested status of the refillables with HP 910 printers, your safest option is to modify your original OEM cartridges. Here’s how to do it:

1. Drill and Fill: Carefully drill a fill hole in the original HP 910 tank.

2. Seal Securely: Plug the hole with a rubber stopper or seal it with hot glue.

3. Printhead Cleaning: Perform two full cleanings to flush out any residual pigment ink.

4. Ignore Chip Errors: Be prepared to disregard ink level warnings or chip errors once the cartridges have been refilled and reused.

This approach avoids uncertainties with cartridge fit, alignment, or chip behavior. It also retains the structural integrity of the OEM tank, which is already proven to work with your printer.

Pigment vs. Dye Ink – Which Should You Choose?

You’re also asking whether switching to dye ink is safe, and if it’s the right choice for your printing needs. The short answer is yes—you’re making a smart move.

Dye ink benefits:

• Less likely to clog

• More fluid, meaning fewer maintenance issues

• Lower cost

• Easier to flush out if needed

Pigment ink is more UV and water resistant, but unless you're printing materials exposed to outdoor elements or moisture, dye ink holds up just fine for regular, everyday use.

Your plan to run printhead cleanings before making the switch is exactly what we recommend. Once you begin using dye ink, your printer—originally programmed for pigment ink—may still run cleaning cycles more frequently than necessary. But that’s a good thing: the “over-cleaning” helps keep the dye ink flowing, reducing the risk of clogs.

We recommend this HP-compatible dye ink set (https://bchtechnologies.com/standard-600-ml-4-color-refill-ink-for-hp-kd600x-ch/).

Is It Safe to Mix Pigment and Dye Ink?

You’re right to be cautious here. While mixing dye and pigment ink isn’t immediately catastrophic, it’s not something we recommend for long-term use. They use different base formulations—pigment inks suspend solid particles, while dye inks dissolve colorants in liquid. Mixing the two can cause particle clumping and eventual clogs, especially if the mixture is left sitting in the printhead.

To minimize risk during the transition:

• Use up as much of the original pigment ink as possible before switching to a new one.

• After switching, print a few dozen pages to thoroughly flush the old ink from the system.

• If you want to be extra careful, consider using our Universal Dye Base or Universal Pigment Base to help dilute and flush out the previous ink type.

For a more in-depth comparison, check out:

• Compare Dye vs Pigment (https://support.bchtechnologies.com/hc/en-us/articles/200555919)

• Why Dye Ink Printouts Look Better (https://support.bchtechnologies.com/hc/en-us/articles/200677489)

Final Thoughts

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. As such, we're unable to provide remote troubleshooting or repair support. However, we do offer in-person evaluations at our diagnostic service center (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, this service operates on a first-come, first-served basis and may require a few weeks for your printer to be serviced. We offer repairs for both full units and individual parts. While our rates reflect the specialized nature of our work, we strongly encourage customers to explore DIY options first.

Your best starting point is our YouTube channel homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon located near the "About" tab to find relevant videos. With over nine years of content, it's the quickest way to locate help—either from us or suggested content from other knowledgeable creators.

Thank you once again for your thoughtful question and your continued support of BCH Technologies. We appreciate your patience and your attention to detail!