Just about all ink cartridges will work after their expiration dates, although some will not.  This guide will let you know which ones will not work after it have expired and ones that have problems when it have expired too long ago.

Below are HP ink cartridges that will NOT work once it expired at a certain period

HP 10, 11, 12, 13
These cartridges will not work 24 months (2 years) after its "install by" dates or 30 months after the ink is installed.

example:  - Ink with expired date in May 2007 will work until May 2009.
               - Ink with expired date in May 2008 will work until May 2010.
               - Ink that have not yet expired and you install in your printer before it have expired; will work for 30 months (2 years and 6 months).
                     *make sure you used up the ink within 2 year & 6 months or else it will stop printing and you'll have to buy a new one.

 

HP 14
These cartridges will not work 12 months (1 year) after its "install by" dates or 18 months after the ink is intalled.

example:  - Ink with expired date in Jan 2008 will work until Jan 2009.
               - Ink with expired date in Jan 2009 will work until Jan 2010.
               - Ink that have not yet expired and you install in your printer before it have expired; will work for 18 months (1 year and 6 months)
                     *make sure you used up the ink within 1 year & 6 months or else it will stop printing and you'll have to buy a new one.

Printheads that goes with these ink will work regardless of their install by (expiration) dates.  The following expired HP ink models will work after you dismissed the ink expiration warning either on your printer or display:  02, 18, 38, 70, 88, 177, 363, 777, 801.  All other ink are good to use even if they have expired dates.

note: "Install By" (expiration) dates are actually HP Warranty End dates.

 

Below are HP ink cartridges with problems when it have expired too long ago

HP 17, 23, 78, 41
Be cautious of these ink if they have expired too long ago (approximately 6+ months from install by date) they are mostlikely dried out.  But, ones that just recently past its install by dates have a high chance of successfully printing without any issues.  Here are some clues to look for before you buy expired ones.

The Retail Box or Cartridge's Label design
ALL the ones in yellow retail boxes or yellow label on the ink cartridge are NO LONGER GOOD to use. These are older cartridges around 2006 or below. Ones in light blue retail boxes or light blue labels are newer ones. (be sure to check date..see below)

Cartridge Install By (Expiration) Date (could also be known as Use Before dates)
If cartridge is past their install by date (expired), it should not be longer than 6 months old.

example:  HP 78 ink cartridge have Install By date of FEB 2009 printed on the retail box.  This HP 78 will have a high chance of successfully printing without any issues until AUG 2009.

Some will work up to 1 year past its Install By date, but before you buy it make sure the seller have a good warranty and return policy.

 

HP 26 (51626A)
These ink cartridges are known to have corroded printhead when they get to old.  You should buy expired ones for this model only if they are in the newer light blue packaging (retail box or foil package).  Those are usually ones with dates in 2006 and above.  Older (2005 below) ones are in dark blue foil package or dark blue retail boxes.

There maybe other HP ink with problems that is not mentioned in here.  If you discovered problems with expired ink that is not mentioned in here please let us know so we all can save huge $$$ using the right expired HP ink.

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