What Ink Does the HP OfficeJet Pro 8610 Use?

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Correction (October 2026): an earlier version of this guide said the 8610 only shows a warning for non-HP cartridges and then prints normally. Since HP's September 2016 firmware, the 8610 can reject cartridges that don't carry an Original HP chip. It also listed HP 951 as a high-yield cartridge. HP 951 is the standard color cartridge; 951XL is the high-yield one.

Quick answer: The HP OfficeJet Pro 8610 uses four cartridges: HP 950 black plus HP 951 cyan, magenta and yellow. The high-yield versions are HP 950XL black and HP 951XL cyan, magenta and yellow. We sell remanufactured HP 950XL and 951XL cartridges that keep the original HP chip. Shipping is free on U.S. orders over $50, and orders placed by 4 PM ET ship the same day.

CastleScore · October 2026

84/100 — Highly Recommended

HP OfficeJet Pro 8610

Pillar (weight)ScoreWhat it is based on
Owner ratings (28%) 84 4.32★ average across 8,274 ratings at Best Buy (4.6), Amazon (4.0)
Expert reviews (18%) 80 PCMag 4.0/5
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 each). Docked because the printer can reject cartridges without the maker's chip.
Reliability (13%) 81 Most-reported problems: 'Missing or failed printhead' / printhead failure after 1-2 years; 'Problem with printer or ink system' error that persists after troubleshooting, often traced to a faulty printhead
Features (12%) 92 Print, copy, scan, document feeder, auto two-sided printing, fax, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, touchscreen, fast (20+ ppm).
Value (5%) 85 Running cost and owner satisfaction

Discontinued. HP lists the OfficeJet Pro 8610 as discontinued and names no direct successor. This score rates it for people who already own one.

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 7, 2026. It is not a customer review. See every ranked printer or how the score works.

The cartridges, pictured

Our own remanufactured cartridges, photographed in-house.

HP OfficeJet Pro 8610 Ink Cartridges at a Glance

Cartridge Type Page Yield
HP 950 Black Standard ~1,000 pages
HP 951 Cyan / Magenta / Yellow Standard ~700 pages each
HP 950XL Black High-Yield ~2,300 pages
HP 951XL Cyan / Magenta / Yellow High-Yield ~1,500 pages each

For a busy office printer like the 8610, the XL cartridges make sense: HP rates them for a little over twice the pages of the standard ones (2,300 vs 1,000 black, 1,500 vs 700 per color).

How to Replace Ink in the HP OfficeJet Pro 8610

  1. Make sure the printer is powered on, then open the front ink-cartridge access door — the carriage will glide to the center.
  2. Press in on the front of the empty cartridge to release it, then lift it straight out.
  3. Unwrap the new HP 950/951 or 950XL/951XL cartridge and pull off the orange protective plastic pull-tab — do not touch the gold contacts.
  4. Slide the new cartridge into its color-matched slot at a slight upward angle until it clicks into place.
  5. Close the access door. The printer will run a brief alignment routine and may print an alignment page.

Troubleshooting Tips

"Damaged cartridge" or "counterfeit cartridge" message: Since HP's September 2016 firmware, the 8610 can refuse cartridges that don't carry an Original HP chip, rather than just warning about them. HP later offered optional firmware that removes this check on the 8610, so behavior depends on your firmware. Remanufactured cartridges that keep the original HP chip, like ours, are the safe choice.

Streaky prints or missing colors: Run the cleaning cycle from the printer's Setup → Tools → Clean Printhead menu. One or two cycles usually clears clogged nozzles.

Cartridge not detected: Power-cycle the printer, then remove and reinsert the affected cartridge. Wipe the gold contacts with a lint-free cloth if needed.

"Missing or Failed Printhead" error: The most common serious fault on the 8610. The printhead is a separate part that you can lift out. The fixes HP's community experts suggest are to reseat the printhead and clean the printhead and carriage contacts with a damp, lint-free cloth. If the error returns, the printhead usually needs replacing.

What OfficeJet Pro 8610 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.

Can the 8610 scan both sides of a page from the document feeder?

No. The 8610 prints two-sided automatically, but automatic two-sided scanning and copying are only on the OfficeJet Pro 8620 and 8630. On the 8610 you turn the stack over and feed it again.

It says "Problem with printer or ink system" and the error won't clear.

On HP's support forum this error is most often traced to a failing printhead, the same part behind the "Missing or Failed Printhead" message. Try the printhead steps in the troubleshooting section above first. If the error keeps coming back, the printhead probably needs replacing.

Is a replacement printhead worth buying?

Owners on HP's forum report replacement printheads quoted at roughly $120 to $250, which is often more than a replacement printer costs. HP no longer sells the 8610 new, so we would weigh that before buying one.

Can I mix standard 950/951 and XL cartridges?

Yes. The 950/951 and 950XL/951XL cartridges fit the same slots, so you can run an XL black with standard colors or any other mix.

How much paper does it hold, and can it print on legal?

The main tray holds 250 sheets, and an optional second tray takes it to 500. It accepts paper up to legal size (8.5 x 14 in).

OfficeJet Pro 8610 quirks worth knowing

  • The 8610 was one of the printers hit by HP's September 13, 2016 firmware that turned on dynamic security. In October 2016 HP released an optional firmware update that removes it for select models, including the 8610. So the firmware your printer is running decides if it blocks cartridges with non-HP chips.
  • It is an "e-All-in-One" from before HP+, so there is no HP+ lifetime lock to Original HP ink on this model. Dynamic security is the only cartridge check.
  • HP rates it for a monthly duty cycle of up to 30,000 pages, with a 35-sheet document feeder, a 2.65-inch touchscreen, and Wi-Fi, Ethernet and USB.
  • Expert Reviews called it fast, flexible and very affordable in 2014 but criticized the drivers. One example it gave: you have to go into advanced settings just to change the paper size.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the OfficeJet Pro 8610 use HP 950 or 951 ink?
Both. The 8610 uses HP 950 Black plus HP 951 in Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow — or the higher-yield 950XL and 951XL versions of the same.

Can I use HP 950XL and 951XL in the 8610?
Yes. The XL high-yield cartridges are fully compatible with the 8610 and offer the best cost-per-page.

Are compatible HP 950XL/951XL cartridges safe?
Our 950XL and 951XL cartridges are remanufactured from original HP shells and keep the original HP chip, which is what the 8610's dynamic security checks for. Using non-HP ink doesn't void your warranty under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

How many pages does an HP 950XL Black cartridge print?
About 2,300 pages at 5% page coverage. The 951XL color cartridges print about 1,500 pages each.

Why does my 8610 say "counterfeit cartridge"?
On firmware with HP dynamic security turned on, the 8610 rejects cartridges without an Original HP chip, so pressing OK won't help. A cartridge that keeps the original HP chip, such as a remanufactured one, avoids the problem.

Other printers that use HP 950 and HP 951

HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 · HP OfficeJet Pro 8615 · HP OfficeJet Pro 8620 · HP OfficeJet Pro 8625 · HP OfficeJet Pro 8630 · HP OfficeJet Pro 8100

More HP ink guides: HP OfficeJet 3830 · HP Envy 5000 · HP DeskJet 4100 · find any printer

Replacing it? Our highest-rated alternatives

Sources

Ratings and prices were checked on October 7, 2026 and will change over time.

Need replacement HP ink cartridges? Shop HP ink cartridges at Castle Ink. Remanufactured, up to 70% less than OEM, and shipped the same day when you order by 4 PM ET.

Written and reviewed by — Founder of Castle Ink, 20+ years in the printer & imaging supplies industry.

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