What Ink Does the HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 Use?
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Quick answer: The HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 uses HP 950 Black and HP 951 Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow ink cartridges. The high-yield HP 950XL / 951XL cartridges print about 2.3 times as many pages in black (2,300 vs. 1,000) and about 2.1 times as many in color (1,500 vs. 700). The 8600 is discontinued, but this ink is still easy to find.
CastleScore · October 2026
69/100 — Situational
HP OfficeJet Pro 8600
| Pillar (weight) | Score | What it is based on |
|---|---|---|
| Owner ratings (28%) | — | No retailer rating with enough reviews to use. |
| Expert reviews (18%) | — | No published numeric expert score we could verify. |
| Cost per page (24%) | 86 | About 1.7¢ per page blended (black + color) with our remanufactured 950XL (2,300 pages) and 951XL (1,500 pages). Docked because the printer can reject cartridges without the maker's chip. |
| Reliability (13%) | 84 | Most-reported problems: printhead failure: 'There is a problem with the printer or ink system' after the original printhead dries out, with aftermarket replacement printheads not recognized |
| Features (12%) | 87 | Print, copy, scan, document feeder, auto two-sided printing, fax, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, touchscreen. |
| Value (5%) | — | Running cost and owner satisfaction |
Limited data: We could not find enough owner ratings or published expert scores for this printer, so those weights are spread across the other pillars. With neither owner ratings nor a published expert score, we cap this printer at 69 (Situational) until better data is available.
Discontinued. HP replaced the 8600 series with the OfficeJet Pro 8610, 8620 and 8630 in 2014. HP 950 and 951 ink is still widely sold.
CastleScore is Castle Ink’s own editorial rating, built from retailer star ratings, expert reviews, real cost per page and owner complaint patterns, checked October 10, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.
The cartridges, pictured
HP 950XL/951XL 4-packCN045AN + CN046AN/47AN/48AN
HP 950XL BlackCN045AN · ~2,300 pages
HP 951XL CyanCN046AN · ~1,500 pages
HP 951XL MagentaCN047AN · ~1,500 pages
HP 950XL/951XL 4-pack
HP 950XL Black
HP 951XL Cyan
HP 951XL MagentaOur own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.
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 |
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 and wait for the carriage to stop before you 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 cartridges rejected as "damaged": The 8600, 8600 Plus and 8600 Premium were on the lists of printers whose 2016 and September 2017 HP firmware rejects cartridges without an original HP chip. Whether yours does depends on the firmware installed. Remanufactured cartridges that keep the original HP chip, like ours, avoid the problem. Turning off automatic firmware updates helps keep a working setup working.
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.
What OfficeJet Pro 8600 owners ask
These are the questions that come up most for this printer on retailer Q&A pages, HP's support forum and owner reviews, answered in our words.
My non-HP cartridges suddenly show as damaged. What happened?
HP firmware released in 2016 and again in September 2017 made the 8600, 8600 Plus and 8600 Premium reject cartridges without an original HP chip. HP later posted firmware to remove the block, but one reader said it did not work on an 8600 Plus. HP says remanufactured cartridges that keep the original HP chip are not affected.
I replaced the printhead and still get "There is a problem with the printer or ink system." What can I try?
In HP's community forum, an HP rep suggested unplugging the printer for 60 seconds and reseating the printhead up to three times with the power off. In that same thread, two aftermarket printheads were never recognized, so a genuine HP printhead is the safer buy.
Can I add a second paper tray?
Yes. An optional 250-sheet Tray 2 brings the total to 500 sheets. Tray 2 takes plain paper only, so photo paper, envelopes, labels and cards still go in Tray 1.
What model replaced the 8600?
HP announced the OfficeJet Pro 8610, 8620 and 8630 in March 2014 as replacements for the 8600, 8600 Plus and 8600 Premium. They take the same HP 950 and 951 ink.
Why won't my 8600 connect to my newer Wi-Fi router?
Old 8600 firmware may not join routers that use Protected Management Frames (PMF). A firmware update can fix that, but on this printer an update can also bring in HP's block on non-HP chips. If you update, use cartridges that carry an original HP chip.
OfficeJet Pro 8600 quirks worth knowing
- Three versions share the same ink: the 8600 (N911a), the 8600 Plus (N911g) and the 8600 Premium (N911n).
- The printhead is a separate, user-replaceable part (CM751-80013A). The same printhead is used in the OfficeJet Pro 8100, 8610 and 8620 and the 251dw and 276dw.
- Because the printhead is separate, a worn-out printhead is a common cause of the "problem with the printer or ink system" error. New cartridges won't fix that.
- Whether the 8600 accepts non-HP chips depends on the firmware it is running, not on HP+. The 8600 predates HP+ entirely.
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 (including the 8600 Plus and 8600 Premium), 8610, 8615, 8620, 8625, 8630, 8640 and 8660 series printers. The newer OfficeJet Pro 8710, 8720, 8730 and 8740 use HP 952 / 952XL, and the OfficeJet Pro 9010 and 9020 series use HP 962 / 962XL.
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.
Other printers that use HP 950 and HP 951
HP OfficeJet Pro 8100 · HP OfficeJet Pro 8610 · HP OfficeJet Pro 8615 · HP OfficeJet Pro 8620 · HP OfficeJet Pro 8625 · HP OfficeJet Pro 8630
More HP ink guides: HP OfficeJet 3830 · HP Envy 5000 · HP DeskJet 4100 · find any printer
Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives
- Epson EcoTank ET-2980 (cheapest to run) — CastleScore 90
- HP Color LaserJet Pro 3201dw (laser) — CastleScore 82
- HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e — CastleScore 79
Sources
Ratings and prices were checked on October 10, 2026 and will change over time.
- HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 e-All-in-One specifications
- HP 950/951 cartridge datasheet (ISO yields)
- BetaNews: HP blocks third-party ink again (September 2017)
- HP Community: replacement 8600 printhead not recognized
- Action Intelligence: HP announces OfficeJet Pro 8610, 8620 and 8630
- BCH Technologies: OfficeJet Pro 8600 firmware and third-party ink
Need replacement HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 Ink Cartridges? Shop HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 Ink Cartridges at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.