HP 96/97 Priming Clip Compatibility for HP DeskJet 6940: Will the BCH Priming Clip Work?

Question

I'm looking at BCH Technologies priming clip SKU: AS-PMCLIP-T-HP. At the top of the product page, it says it works for the HP 97 color cartridge, but farther down the same page the compatibility list doesn't mention HP 97.

My printer is an HP DeskJet 6940, and I'm using HP 96 black and HP 97 color cartridges. Will this priming clip work for both cartridges using the silicone pads (long pad for black and short pad for color)? If not, do you have a priming clip that works with HP 96 and 97?

Answer

Will SKU AS-PMCLIP-T-HP work with HP 96 (black) and HP 97 (color)?

Yes-this priming clip will work for both the HP 96 black and HP 97 color cartridges.

The confusion you noticed on the product page is understandable. Sometimes a compatibility list is incomplete or written around the most commonly referenced cartridge families, while the header includes additional supported models. Functionally, what matters for a priming clip is the printhead/nozzle plate geometry and the sealing surface area-not necessarily the overall cartridge body size.

Why it works even though HP 96 is a "longer" cartridge

Your proposed concern is a smart one: the HP 96 cartridge body is often physically longer/taller than many other HP cartridges. However, the printhead section (the part that the priming clip seals against) is what determines compatibility.

• The HP 96 black may have a longer body, but the printhead height and sealing zone are the same style needed for this clip's seal.

• The HP 97 color uses the compatible printhead layout for this priming clip as well.

So, even though the cartridge housing can differ, the priming interface at the head is what the clip is designed to match, and that part is compatible across HP 96/97.

Which silicone pad should you use (long vs. short)?

Using the silicone pads the way you described is correct:

• Long silicone pad = typically better for black cartridges like HP 96 (more coverage and seal support)

• Short silicone pad = typically better for color cartridges like HP 97 (fits the head area appropriately without overhang)

The goal is a flat, airtight seal against the nozzle plate area. If the pad is too small, you may get air leaks and poor suction. If it's too large and doesn't sit flat, it can also leak or distort the seal.

Best practices to avoid damage when priming HP 96/97

Since priming applies suction through the nozzle plate, a few precautions help prevent issues:

1. Don't over-pull vacuum
   Too much suction can pull ink too aggressively and may cause internal foaming or air ingestion. Gentle, steady suction is better than strong, sudden pulls.

2. Watch for cross-contamination
   If you primed a different cartridge previously, make sure the pad and any tubing are clean before switching between black and color cartridges. Even a small amount of mixed ink can affect print quality.

3. Seal is everything
   If you're not getting ink movement, it's often not a "wrong clip" problem-it's usually a leak at the seal. Re-seat the clip and pad so it sits flush.

4. After priming, let the cartridge rest
   Give it several minutes nozzle-down on a lint-free towel. This helps stabilize ink flow before installing it back into the printer.

Does BCH have a different priming clip for HP 96/97 if this didn't work?

In this case, you shouldn't need a different clip-SKU AS-PMCLIP-T-HP is compatible with HP 96 and 97, and it should serve your HP DeskJet 6940 setup as intended.

If you'd like to reference the exact product page you mentioned, here it is:
BCH Priming Clip for HP Ink Cartridges (AS-PMCLIP-T-HP) (https://bchtechnologies.com/products/priming-clip-for-hp-ink-cartridge-60-61-62-63-21-27-54-56-74-75-93-94-95-97-98-901-110-22-28-57-75-93-95-59-100-102-664-as-pmclip-t-hp?variant=50035467026739)

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems, so we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility, Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so it might take a few weeks before we can get your printer in to drop it off. Our services are structured to repair either a 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 highly recommend that you resort to self-help via online research. You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel's homepage, BCH Technologies on YouTube (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 most efficient. Plus, YouTube might suggest relevant videos from other channels that could assist you.

Thank you again for contacting us and for choosing BCH Technologies-we truly appreciate your support.