How to Refill HP 936, HP 610, and HP 910 Ink Cartridges (What You Need for Regular Office Printing)

Question: I want to refill HP 936, HP 610, and HP 910 cartridges for regular office printing. How do I refill them, and what products do I need?

Answer:

The key thing to know about HP 936 / HP 610 / HP 910: they use chips

Your HP 936, HP 610, and HP 910 cartridges have chips that communicate with the printer. That chip system is what makes refilling different from older cartridges.

Even if you successfully put ink back into the cartridge, the printer may still show messages like:

• "Cartridge problem"

• "Incompatible cartridge"

• "Cartridge cannot be used until printer is enrolled" (on some HP models/services)

• "Ink low" / "Empty" even after refilling (because the chip still reports the old level)

These aren't "error codes" in the sense of a numeric code like "0x..."-but they are the exact cartridge error messages most users run into, and they're directly related to the chip behavior.

What to buy (recommended approach): refillable cartridges made for your exact HP model

For regular office printing, the most reliable route is what you already suspected:

Search on eBay for:

• "refillable cartridges for HP 936"

• "refillable cartridges for HP 610"

• "refillable cartridges for HP 910"

The reason this works best is that many refillable cartridge kits are sold as a complete system, which may include:

• Refillable cartridges that physically fit and seal correctly

• A chip solution (depending on the model-some use one-time chips, some use "reset" style approaches, and some rely on the printer accepting the cartridge as a "new" unit)

• A fill plug / vent design that's actually meant to be refilled multiple times

• Basic tools (syringes/needles) and their own refill instructions

And that last part matters: the seller's instructions are important, because refill methods differ depending on cartridge internal design and venting.

Ink selection: use pigment vs dye correctly (very important)

For "regular office printing," you usually want sharp text and clean graphics. The right ink depends on what your specific HP printer series expects:

• Pigment ink is typically used for crisp black text (especially on office models).

• Dye ink is often used for color (bright photos/graphics), but some office lines use pigment for some colors too.

If you use the wrong ink type, you can see issues like:

• Fuzzy text or gray-looking blacks

• Smearing or slow drying

• Clogged nozzles or poor color output over time

Because HP 936 / 610 / 910 can be used across different printer families, the safest move is:

1. Confirm your exact printer model (not just cartridge number), then

2. Buy a refillable kit marketed for that printer/cartridge combination, and

3. Use the ink type recommended by that kit/seller.

Basic refill workflow (high-level, varies by kit)

Since the exact procedure depends on the refillable cartridge design, here's the typical flow most kits follow:

1. Prepare the cartridge

   • Remove the fill plug (or open the fill port as instructed)

   • Keep the venting rules in mind (some require opening a vent during fill)

2. Fill slowly

   • Inject ink gradually to prevent air pockets

   • Stop before overfilling (overfill can cause leaking and printer contamination)

3. Seal properly

   • Reinstall fill plug and confirm vent state matches instructions

   • Wipe the cartridge clean so ink residue doesn't smear onto contacts or the carriage

4. Install and test

   • Install cartridges, run a nozzle check / printhead cleaning if available

   • If the printer complains, it's usually chip-related (not the ink itself)

Common chip-related problems and what usually fixes them

If you refill and get one of these messages, here are the common causes:

• "Incompatible cartridge" / "Cartridge problem"
  Usually: chip mismatch, wrong cartridge version, or the printer firmware rejecting it.
  Often fixed by: using the correct refillable cartridge set made specifically for your printer model, and following the seller's chip instructions.

• Ink level still shows "empty/low" after refill
  Usually: chip doesn't reset ink levels.
  Not always fixable unless the kit includes a chip method that reports as "new."

• Printer won't print even though installed
  Sometimes: poor contact at chip pads or ink contamination on contacts.
  Often fixed by: gently cleaning contacts with a lint-free cloth (avoid soaking), reseating cartridges, and following the kit's recommended install order.

One more practical tip: avoid "universal ink" claims

For office reliability, be cautious with listings claiming one ink works for "all HP cartridges." HP cartridge families vary a lot, and "universal" inks can cause performance issues long-term. A kit designed for your cartridge family is usually the safest bet.

Addressing printer issues can be tricky because so much depends on hands-on inspection, the exact model, and how the cartridge and chip behave in real conditions. Because of that, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, step-by-step repair support, or detailed one-on-one guidance for printer repairs. We do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service through our local diagnostic facility: Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and it may take a few weeks before we can schedule your drop-off. Our services are structured to repair either the whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. That said, we recognize our rates aren't the most economical-so we strongly recommend self-help through online research first. A good starting point is YouTube, including our channel homepage: BCH Technologies on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). On our channel, use the search icon next to "About" on the right side of the menu bar to find videos on your exact topic. I receive dozens of messages daily asking if we have a video for a specific issue, and after nine years of posting, it's hard to remember every single one-so YouTube's search is the fastest way. It may also recommend helpful videos from other creators that match your situation.

Thanks again for contacting us, and for supporting BCH Technologies. If you go the refillable cartridge route from eBay, follow the seller's instructions carefully (especially anything related to chips and venting), and you'll have the best shot at stable, office-friendly printing.