This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, solveyourtech.com earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
To check the ink levels on the HP Photosmart 6510, go to the Home screen on the printer touchscreen, touch the right directional key, and then touch the Ink icon. The display shows an estimated ink level for each cartridge. You can also read the levels from a computer with HP software, or from a Mac through its printer settings.
The steps below follow HP’s Photosmart 6510 series user guide and HP’s current support article on checking printer ink levels.
Before You Start
- Which printers this covers: the HP Photosmart 6510 e-All-in-One series. This is an inkjet printer with a touchscreen control panel and separate ink cartridges.
- For the printer method: the printer only needs to be turned on. You do not need a computer or a network connection.
- For the computer methods: the printer must already be installed on that computer. HP Printer Assistant is only present if you installed HP’s full software package, not just a basic driver.
- What you will see: an estimate. HP states that ink level warnings and indicators are for planning purposes only.
How to Check Ink Levels on the Printer
This is the shortest route, and it does not depend on any software.
- Turn the printer on and wait for the Home screen. If another menu is open, touch Home to return to it.
- Touch the right directional key. HP’s guide says this opens the secondary Home screen, which holds more icons.
- Touch the Ink icon.
- Read the estimated level shown for each cartridge.
The user guide describes the Ink icon as showing estimated ink levels by cartridge. It also says the icon displays a warning symbol when a level is below the minimum expected ink level. So if you see a warning symbol on the icon before you even touch it, at least one cartridge is running low.
When you are done, touch Home or Back to leave the screen. Checking the levels does not change any settings, so there is nothing to undo.
How to Check Ink Levels From a Windows PC
HP’s support article describes this route for printers that have the full HP software installed.
- Click the Windows search box and type the name of your printer.
- Select the printer in the results to open HP Printer Assistant.
- In the top menu bar, view Estimated Levels.
HP notes that if you do not see this feature in the menu bar, you should try one of the other methods. If HP Printer Assistant is not on your computer at all, HP says to go to 123.hp.com/setup, download and open HP Easy Start, and select the Full Software and Drivers solution when prompted. The Photosmart 6510 is an older model, so HP may not offer every software option for it on a current version of Windows. If the download is not offered for your printer, use the printer touchscreen instead.
The printer also has to be reachable from the computer. If it is not connected yet, see how to set up the HP Photosmart 6510 for wireless printing. For a wider look at where Windows does and does not show supply levels, read our guide on how to check printer ink levels in Windows 11.
How to Check Ink Levels on a Mac
HP documents a route through the Mac’s own printer settings.
- Click the Spotlight icon, then search for and open Printers & Scanners.
- Select your printer in the list.
- Click Options & Supplies.
- Click the Supply Levels tab.
If the Supply Levels tab shows nothing for this printer, check the levels on the printer touchscreen instead.
How to Check Ink Levels With the HP App
HP’s support article lists its HP app as another general method for HP printers.
- Open the HP app on your computer or mobile device.
- Look at the Estimated supply levels next to the printer image.
HP says it might take a few minutes for the levels to display. HP’s article is written for its printers in general and does not name the Photosmart 6510, so we cannot confirm that the app supports this older model. Treat this as an option to try, not a guaranteed route.
What the Ink Levels Mean
A low reading is not an instruction to swap the cartridge immediately. HP’s user guide says that when you receive a low-ink warning message, you should consider having a replacement cartridge available to avoid possible printing delays. It also says you do not have to replace the cartridges until the print quality is unacceptable.
The reading can also look lower than you expect on a cartridge that has not printed many pages. HP explains that ink is used in several ways besides printing pages. Some is used during initialization, which prepares the printer and cartridges for printing. Some is used in printhead servicing, which keeps the print nozzles clear. HP adds that some residual ink is left in a cartridge after it is used.
Troubleshooting
The ink level is missing or looks wrong
HP’s user guide says that if you have installed a refilled or remanufactured cartridge, or a cartridge that has been used in another printer, the ink level indicator might be inaccurate or unavailable. HP’s support article adds that estimates become less accurate when you are not using genuine HP ink, and after the printer has undergone a full hardware reset. In these cases, judge by the printed pages instead of the gauge.
You cannot find the Ink icon
The icon is not on the first Home screen. Touch Home, then touch the right directional key to reach the secondary Home screen.
Estimated Levels is not in HP Printer Assistant
HP’s advice is to try another method. The printer touchscreen works without any software.
Print quality is poor but the ink is not low
HP’s user guide says that if print quality is unacceptable, and the problem is not low ink levels or non-HP ink, you can try cleaning the printhead from the printer display. Load full-size paper first, because the printer prints an information page at the end.
- From the Home screen, touch the right directional key.
- Touch the Setup icon, then touch Tools.
- Touch the down arrow to scroll, then touch Clean Printhead.
The same Tools menu contains Printer Status Report and Print Quality Report. HP says to use these reports to diagnose printer and print quality issues. Keep in mind that printhead servicing uses ink.
Finding the Right Replacement Cartridge
Buying the wrong cartridge is the main risk here, so confirm the model number before you order. HP’s user guide says to open the cartridge access door and check the label for the correct model number. It also says that cartridge information appears on ink alert messages.
You can get the HP 564XL black high-yield cartridge and the HP 564 cyan, magenta, and yellow 3-pack. The HP user guide does not print a cartridge number, so compare these against the label inside your printer first.
When you install a new cartridge, HP’s guide says to do the following with the power on:
- Open the cartridge access door and wait for the print carriage to move to the ink label part of the printer.
- Press the tab on the old cartridge and remove it from its slot.
- Take the new cartridge out of its packaging and twist the orange cap to snap it off. HP notes that a forceful twist may be required.
- Match the color icons, then slide the cartridge into its slot until it clicks into place.
- Close the cartridge access door.
HP recommends aligning the printer after you insert new cartridges for the best print quality. Go to Setup, touch Tools, touch Align Printer, and follow the instructions on the screen. Then open the Ink screen again to confirm that the new cartridge shows a level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Ink icon on the HP Photosmart 6510?
It is on the secondary Home screen. From the Home screen, touch the right directional key, and then touch the Ink icon to display the estimated ink levels.
Why doesn’t my Photosmart 6510 show an ink level?
HP says the ink level indicator might be inaccurate or unavailable for a refilled or remanufactured cartridge, or for a cartridge that has been used in another printer.
Can I still print when the ink is low?
Yes, according to HP’s user guide. Low-ink warnings are estimates for planning purposes, and HP says you do not have to replace the cartridges until the print quality is unacceptable.
Does an HP cartridge warranty cover refilled cartridges?
No. HP’s user guide says the cartridge warranty does not cover HP ink products that have been refilled, remanufactured, refurbished, misused, or tampered with. The warranty applies until the HP ink is depleted or the end of warranty date is reached. That date is printed on the cartridge in YYYY/MM format.
How do I scan with this printer?
See how to scan to a computer from the Photosmart 6510.
Next Step
Check the Ink screen before any large print job. If a cartridge is low, open the cartridge access door, note the model number on the label, and have a replacement ready. If you also have an Officejet with buttons instead of a touchscreen, see how to check ink levels on the HP Officejet 4620.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read hundreds of millions of times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.