Ink Splattered While Refilling HP 67/67XL Cartridge? Here's Why It Happens and What to Do

Question:

I was refilling my HP 67 or 67XL ink cartridge following your "Refill HP 67 67XL Ink Cartridge - Part 1 - Fundamentals" video. But the ink splattered all over my face and body during the refill process, and my printer still shows "Low Ink." What could be causing this?

Answer:

1. Ink Splattering During Refill

When ink splatters from an HP 67 or 67XL cartridge, it usually means air pressure inside the cartridge wasn't balanced during refilling. The HP 67 series cartridges are sponge-based, not tank-style, meaning they rely on the internal sponge to hold ink and regulate flow. If the cartridge is filled too quickly or overfilled, the pressure buildup can push ink back through the refill hole or the printhead, causing splattering.

To prevent this:

• Refill slowly and gradually, especially as the sponge nears saturation.

• Use a refill clip or holder to stabilize the cartridge and minimize leaks.

• Stop filling once the ink level nears the top of the sponge. Any excess will force ink out violently.

• After refilling, use a paper towel to blot the printhead gently until no ink pools on the surface.

2. "Low Ink" Message Even After Refilling

HP 67 and 67XL cartridges use non-resettable chips to monitor ink usage. Unfortunately, refilling does not reset the ink level indicator. The printer continues to show "Low Ink" or even "Empty" because the chip's data doesn't change.

However, as long as the cartridge prints correctly, this message can be ignored. Many users refill several times before the chip finally locks out printing. Once that happens, you'll need another cartridge to continue printing.

The best solution is to keep multiple cartridges in rotation. This means having several refilled sets ready to use, so if one reaches the chip lockout state, you can swap to another and keep working without interruption. As you mentioned, "get few sets to rotate" - that's exactly right. It ensures continuous printing and gives each cartridge enough resting time to balance internal air pressure between refills.

3. Tips for Better Long-Term Refilling

• Use genuine BCH refill ink, as generic inks may have improper viscosity that increases splattering.

• Always seal the refill hole tightly after refilling to maintain pressure control.

• Store cartridges upright in an airtight container if not used immediately.

• If you encounter streaking or missing lines after refilling, perform a printhead cleaning or nozzle check to clear residual air.

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. However, we offer an in-person evaluation and repair service through our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, our services are on a first-come, first-served basis, and it may take a few weeks before we can receive your printer for drop-off. We handle both full printer repairs and individual component servicing with clear instructions on how to proceed. While our rates may not be the lowest, we encourage customers to explore self-help resources on YouTube - starting with our BCH Technologies YouTube channel homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon next to "About" on the menu bar to look for specific videos. With nearly a decade of tutorials, this is the fastest way to locate the exact help you need.

Thank you again for reaching out and for being part of the BCH Technologies community. Your continued engagement helps us grow and provide better support for everyone tackling printer repairs and ink refilling challenges.