How to Refill HP 950XL/951XL Ink Cartridges and Use ARC Chips: A Guide for HP 8600 Users

Question:

I'm looking for information on ARC chips for HP 950XL and 951XL ink cartridges. I've visited BCH Technologies' website and read several posts, but the links to the ARC chip details are not working. I want to either reuse my original cartridges with ARC chips or purchase refillable cartridges that already have ARC chips installed. Ultimately, I'm looking for a cost-effective way to keep using my HP 8600. Can you help?

Answer:

ARC Chips for HP 950XL/951XL and Refill Options

To clarify the current situation, we no longer carry ink cartridges or auto-reset chips (ARC) for the HP 950XL and 951XL series. We discontinued our cartridge business in 2019, and the remaining content on our website is legacy support documentation. Currently, we do not sell these cartridges, chips, or refillable replacements.

For users looking to extend the life of their HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 printers, such as yourself, there are generally two main approaches:

1. Refilling OEM Cartridges
   Unfortunately, HP's original (OEM) 950XL and 951XL cartridges are not refillable by default. These cartridges come with a one-time-use chip that cannot be reset or reused reliably without the use of third-party ARC chips.

2. Using Refillable Cartridges with ARC Chips
   Refillable cartridges with pre-installed ARC chips were once a popular alternative. The ARC chip automatically resets the ink level when the cartridge is removed and reinstalled. However, due to HP firmware updates, many aftermarket chips became unreliable. This has forced many vendors, including us, to stop selling them.

What Are Your Current Options?

Although BCH no longer offers ARC chips or compatible cartridges, you do have a couple of paths forward:

• Third-Party Sellers:
  Try searching reputable third-party platforms, such as eBay (https://www.ebay.com) or AliExpress (https://www.aliexpress.com), for vendors still offering these items. Be sure to review seller ratings and product reviews carefully, as chip compatibility can vary depending on your printer's firmware version.

• Firmware Considerations:
  If your HP 8600 has been updated to recent firmware, it may block third-party chips. You may want to explore downgrading your printer firmware to an earlier version that supports ARC chips, though this comes with its risks and may void warranties.

• Transition Planning:
  If refilling proves too difficult or unreliable, consider a different printer model that has better refill support. BCH Technologies has multiple YouTube videos (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) comparing printer models ideal for refilling and DTF/DTG conversions.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Therefore, we're unable to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, it may take a few weeks before we can arrange for your printer to drop it off. Our services are structured to repair either the whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we acknowledge that our rates aren't the most economical. Thus, we recommend that you resort to self-help via online research. You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel's homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Look for specific videos using the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar. I receive dozens of queries every day asking about videos for specific topics. Having created videos over the past nine years, it's challenging to remember every single one. Therefore, using YouTube's search function would be the most efficient approach. Additionally, YouTube may suggest relevant videos from other channels that can assist you.

Thanks again for reaching out. We appreciate your support and wish you the best of luck with your refill project! If you have any further questions or require video suggestions, please don't hesitate to follow up.