HP 67 Black Ink Refill Not Showing and Printing Blank: Fixing No-Ink Flow and E0/E1 Errors

Question: I refilled my HP 67 black cartridge several times, but after I install it, the printer still shows the ink level hasn't gone up-and my test prints are completely blank. What should I check, and how can I fix it?

Answer: 

Based on your symptoms-(1) ink level not increasing and (2) black test print coming out blank-you're most likely dealing with an ink-delivery problem (no ink reaching the nozzle plate), a cartridge venting issue, air trapped in the printhead sponge, or an electrical/recognition error such as E0/E1 that prevents the cartridge from operating normally.

Below are the most common causes and fixes, in the order I'd troubleshoot them.

1) Why the ink level doesn't go up (and why that's normal)

First, don't use the on-screen ink gauge as your main indicator after refilling. On most HP "starter" and standard cartridges (including many in the HP 6x family like HP 61/62/63/64/67), the printer often estimates ink using a chip/usage counter, not an actual float sensor. That means:

• Refilling does not reliably reset the ink level display.

• The printer may continue to show low/empty even if the cartridge is physically full.

• This is normal behavior and doesn't automatically mean the refill failed.

So the real problem here is the second symptom: blank black prints.

2) The #1 cause of blank prints after a refill: airlock and no prime

When a cartridge is refilled, it's easy for air to get trapped inside the sponge chamber or at the outlet, creating an airlock. The cartridge may be full, but the ink doesn't reach the nozzles.

What this looks like

• Test prints are totally blank or extremely faint.

• Cleaning cycles don't help much.

• Cartridge feels heavy/full, but nothing prints.

Fix: prime the cartridge so ink reaches the nozzle plate

A reliable method is to prime/pull ink through the nozzle area (many refillers use a priming clip and syringe, or a controlled suction method). The goal is to:

• Remove trapped air

• Start capillary flow through the sponge

• Get ink visibly present at the nozzle plate

Important: If you overdo suction, you can damage the internal sponge balance or make the cartridge drool/leak. Gentle, controlled priming is key.

If you haven't already, follow the technique shown in this video: HP 67 refill procedure video (https://youtu.be/DvtNz_Y6D-g). Even though it's made with HP 67, the general refill/handling principles apply to the HP 6x-style cartridges (HP 61, 62, 63, 64, etc.).

3) The vent hole problem: cartridge can't breathe, so ink won't flow

Ink won't leave the cartridge properly unless air can enter to replace it. If the vent is blocked (common after refilling due to label placement, tape, or adhesive), you can get blank prints.

What to check

• Make sure you did not seal the vent with tape/label.

• Make sure any fill hole is properly sealed only if required, but the cartridge still has a functioning vent path.

A blocked vent can mimic an airlock: the cartridge is full, but ink won't feed.

4) Too many refills: the cartridge sponge or nozzles may be worn out

You mentioned refilling it multiple times. HP cartridges like the 67 are not designed for unlimited refills. After several cycles, you can run into:

• Sponge fatigue (poor capillary action)

• Clogged nozzles from dried ink

• Internal pressure imbalance (either starving or leaking)

Signs the cartridge itself is failing

• Priming works briefly, then it goes blank again quickly

• Streaky output that gets worse fast

• Cartridge leaks or drips from the nozzle plate

• Printer errors become more frequent

At that point, even a "correct" refill may not revive the cartridge consistently.

5) Printer alignment/contact issues and the E0/E1 error codes

If the printer can't properly recognize the cartridge (dirty contacts, mis-seated cartridge, electrical issue), it may throw E0 or E1 and either refuse to print or behave unpredictably.

You referenced this video, which is the right direction for HP 67 troubleshooting: HP 67 E0 and E1 errors video (https://youtu.be/ipueD4xutk4).

Practical checks that often solve E0/E1 situations

• Remove the cartridge and re-seat it firmly

• Inspect the gold electrical contacts on the cartridge:

  • If ink got on them during refill, gently clean with a lint-free cloth

  • Avoid soaking-too much liquid can cause contact problems

• Check the printer's contact pins (carefully-don't bend them)

• Power-cycle the printer (off, unplug briefly, restart)

Even if you're not currently seeing E0/E1, poor electrical contact can still cause "prints blank" behavior if the cartridge isn't firing correctly.

6) Confirm you're refilling the right chamber and using the correct ink type

This sounds basic, but it's a frequent cause:

• Make sure you're filling black into the black chamber

• Make sure it's ink made for HP thermal inkjet cartridges (HP uses thermal firing-some inks aren't compatible and can misfire or clog)

If the ink is too thick/thin or not formulated for thermal systems, you can get weak output, missing nozzles, or blanks.

7) Once you get it working: taking refills to the next level

After you've successfully refilled a few times and want a more repeatable setup, this video is a good "next step" resource: Taking your refill project to the next level (https://youtu.be/k_bxmO4UzFY). The goal is consistency-proper priming, venting, handling, and reducing wasted cartridges.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair because they're hands-on by nature, with lots of physical variables that are hard to confirm remotely. Because of that, 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: Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, we run first-come, first-served, so it may take a few weeks before we're able to schedule your printer for drop-off. Our services can be structured as a whole-printer repair or targeted parts repair, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we understand our rates may not be the most economical, so we strongly recommend self-help through online research. You can start on YouTube or by visiting BCH Technologies on YouTube (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar to quickly find specific topics. I receive dozens of questions every day asking which video covers what, and after nine years of videos, it's hard to remember every single one-searching there is the fastest approach. YouTube may also suggest related videos from other channels that could help.

Thanks again for reaching out. I hope the priming/venting checks above get your HP 67 printing again quickly and save you from wasting ink and time on repeated refills that aren't flowing properly.