What Ink Does the HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 Use?
Last Updated:Quick answer: The HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 uses HP 950 Black and HP 951 Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow ink cartridges. For dramatically lower cost-per-page, the HP 950XL / 951XL high-yield versions hold roughly 3x more ink each.
HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 Ink Cartridges at a Glance
| Cartridge | Part Number | Approx. Page Yield |
|---|---|---|
| HP 950 Black (standard) | CN049AN | ~1,000 pages |
| HP 951 Cyan (standard) | CN050AN | ~700 pages |
| HP 951 Magenta (standard) | CN051AN | ~700 pages |
| HP 951 Yellow (standard) | CN052AN | ~700 pages |
| HP 950XL Black (high-yield) | CN045AN | ~2,300 pages |
| HP 951XL Cyan, Magenta, Yellow (high-yield) | CN046/047/048AN | ~1,500 pages each |
Save on HP 950XL / 951XL Ink for the OfficeJet Pro 8600
The XL versions are by far the most cost-effective choice for the OfficeJet Pro 8600 — each XL color holds more than 2x the ink of standard, and the XL black holds more than 2x as well. Castle Ink's compatible 950XL and 951XL cartridges ship free in the U.S. on orders over $50.
Shop the HP 950XL Black + 951XL Color Cartridges →
How to Replace Ink in the HP OfficeJet Pro 8600
- Power the printer on and open the cartridge access door at the front-right of the unit. Wait for the carriage to move into the access position.
- Press down lightly on the cartridge you're replacing to release it from its latch, then pull it straight up and out.
- Unbox the new HP 950 or 950XL / 951XL cartridge. Pull off the orange protective cap — do not touch the copper contacts or the ink port underneath.
- Slide the new cartridge into its color-coded slot at a slight downward angle, then push down until it clicks firmly into place. Each slot is labeled K, C, M, or Y.
- Close the cartridge access door. The OfficeJet Pro 8600 will run an alignment cycle and print a calibration page — once that's done, you're ready to print.
Troubleshooting Tips
Cartridge not detected after install: Power-cycle the printer (unplug for 30 seconds, then plug back in). The OfficeJet Pro 8600 often needs a hard reset before recognizing a fresh cartridge.
Faded prints or print head problems: Run the cleaning routine from Setup → Tools → Clean Printhead. The 8600 has a serviceable printhead and one or two cleaning cycles will usually clear minor clogs.
"Non-HP cartridge installed" warning: Press OK or Accept to continue. This is the standard message for any non-OEM cartridge and does not block printing.
Low-ink warning right after install: HP's ink-level estimator is based on usage, not a physical gauge. After a fresh install it can take several jobs to recalibrate. Ignore the warning unless print quality drops.
Official HP Resources
Bottom Line
The HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 takes HP 950 / 951 standard or HP 950XL / 951XL high-yield cartridges. The XL versions are the smart pick for almost every household and small office. Compatible cartridges from Castle Ink work identically to OEM and ship free in the U.S. on $50+ orders.
Get HP 950XL / 951XL ink for the OfficeJet Pro 8600 →
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I mix HP 950 / 951 standard and HP 950XL / 951XL cartridges in the OfficeJet Pro 8600?
Yes. The OfficeJet Pro 8600 accepts any combination of HP 950 / 951 standard and HP 950XL / 951XL high-yield cartridges. Most users run XL black with XL color for the lowest cost-per-page, but standard and XL can be mixed freely.
Will compatible HP 950XL / 951XL cartridges void my OfficeJet Pro 8600 warranty?
No. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act in the United States, using third-party ink does not void your printer warranty. HP can only deny warranty coverage if the third-party cartridge directly caused a specific failure.
How many pages does HP 950XL / 951XL print in the OfficeJet Pro 8600?
HP rates the 950XL black at approximately 2,300 pages and each 951XL color at approximately 1,500 pages, based on the ISO/IEC 24711 standard at 5% page coverage. Actual yield varies with print density and color usage.
Which other HP printers use HP 950 / 951 ink?
HP 950 / 951 and 950XL / 951XL cartridges work in the HP OfficeJet Pro 8100, 8600, 8610, 8615, 8616, 8620, 8625, 8630, 8640, and 8660 series printers. Newer OfficeJet Pro 8710, 8720, 8730, 8740, and 9000-series printers use the different HP 952 / 952XL family.
Why does my OfficeJet Pro 8600 say "Cartridge Problem" after I install a new cartridge?
This is usually a contact issue. Remove the cartridge, gently wipe the copper contacts with a dry lint-free cloth, and reseat firmly. If the message persists, power-cycle the printer.