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HP DeskJet 1010 Manual — Setup, Troubleshooting & Ink Cartridge Guide

The HP DeskJet 1010 is a compact, wired color inkjet printer designed for everyday home and small office printing. It delivers reliable black and color output using HP 61 / HP 61XL ink cartridges with print resolutions up to 4800x1200 optimized dpi. This page covers setup guidance, troubleshooting steps, cartridge maintenance, and full technical specifications drawn directly from the official HP manual.

USB Connectivity Color Inkjet Up to 4800x1200 dpi
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Product Setup

1

Unbox and Position the Printer

Remove all packaging tape and protective materials from the HP DeskJet 1010. Place the printer on a flat, stable surface near your computer and a power outlet. Make sure there is adequate clearance around the printer for paper loading and access to the cartridge door.

2

Install the Ink Cartridges

Open the cartridge access door and wait for the print carriage to move to the center. Insert the HP 61 tri-color cartridge and the HP 61 black cartridge into their respective slots, pressing firmly until each clicks into place. Close the cartridge access door before proceeding.

3

Load Paper and Connect USB Cable

Load plain white letter or A4 paper into the input tray, making sure the edges are flat and the paper-width guide fits snugly. Connect the USB cable (no longer than 3 metres / 10 feet as recommended by HP) from the printer to your computer.

4

Install Printer Software and Align Cartridges

Install the HP DeskJet 1010 printer software on your computer and follow the on-screen setup instructions. Once installed, open the printer toolbox via Print > Maintain Your Printer and click 'Align Ink Cartridges' on the Device Services tab to ensure optimal print quality.

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Pro-Tip: Do not touch the copper-colored contacts or the ink nozzles. Touching these parts can result in clogs, ink failure, and bad electrical connections.

WiFi Connection Guide

usb

USB Wired Connection

The HP DeskJet 1010 connects to your computer via a standard USB cable. HP recommends using a cable no longer than 3 metres (10 feet) to ensure a stable connection. Simply plug into any available USB port and install the printer software to get started.

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No Wireless Connectivity

The HP DeskJet 1010 does not support WiFi or wireless printing. It is a USB-only printer intended for direct connection to a single computer. If wireless printing is required, consider a WiFi model such as the HP DeskJet 2600 series.

Troubleshooting FAQ

How do I improve print quality on the HP DeskJet 1010?expand_more
First, confirm you are using genuine HP 61 or HP 61XL ink cartridges. In the printer software, go to Print > Set Preferences and verify the correct paper type and print quality are selected. Check estimated ink levels and replace low cartridges if needed. Then open the printer toolbox via Print > Maintain Your Printer, go to the Device Services tab, and click 'Align Ink Cartridges'. If streaks persist, print a diagnostics page from the Device Reports tab and, if color or black boxes show missing areas, click 'Clean Ink Cartridges' on the Device Services tab.
How do I clear a paper jam on the HP DeskJet 1010?expand_more
Gently pull jammed paper from the input tray or output tray first. If the jam is in the cartridge access area, open the cartridge access door and slide the print carriage to the right to access and remove the paper. For jams inside the printer, open the cleanout door on the bottom of the printer by pressing the tabs on both sides, remove the jammed paper, then close the door until both latches snap into place. After clearing any jam, press the On button to resume printing. Never use tools to remove jammed paper.
What should I do if the HP DeskJet 1010 won't print?expand_more
Ensure the printer is turned on and paper is loaded in the input tray. Check for error messages in the printer software and resolve them. Disconnect and reconnect the USB cable. Verify the printer is not paused or set to offline mode via Control Panel > Devices and Printers. Confirm the HP DeskJet 1010 is set as the default printer. Restart the Print Spooler service via Administrative Tools > Services, clear the print queue, and restart your computer. As a last resort, turn the printer off, unplug the power cord, wait one minute, then reconnect and turn it back on.
How do I fix an ink cartridge problem on the HP DeskJet 1010?expand_more
Start by removing and reinserting the ink cartridges firmly. If the error persists, clean the electrical contacts on the cartridge using a dry, lint-free cloth or swab — wipe only the small gold-colored dots. Also clean the corresponding gold-colored contact points inside the printer. Reinstall the cartridge and close the cartridge access door. Do not leave cartridges outside the printer for more than 30 minutes as this may damage the printhead. If the problem continues, replace the cartridge. To identify a defective cartridge, remove the black cartridge — if the error light still blinks quickly, replace the tri-color cartridge instead.
How do I prevent paper jams on the HP DeskJet 1010?expand_more
Do not overfill the input tray and remove printed pages from the output tray frequently. Always load paper flat with no bent or torn edges, and never mix different paper sizes or types in the same tray. Adjust the paper-width guide to fit snugly against the paper stack without bending it. Do not force paper too far forward in the tray, and avoid adding paper while the printer is actively printing — wait for the out-of-paper message before refilling.
HP DeskJet 1010 ink: 61 or 61XL - which should I buy?expand_more
Both fit the DeskJet 1010. Standard HP 61 cartridges yield about 190 pages (black) and 165 pages (tri-color); HP 61XL high-yield cartridges yield about 480 pages (black) and 330 pages (tri-color), so the XL pair costs less per page if you print regularly. In the UK and Europe, the same cartridges are sold as HP 301 and 301XL.
Can I print from my phone with the HP DeskJet 1010?expand_more
No. The DeskJet 1010 is USB-only with no WiFi, so it cannot use AirPrint or mobile printing apps. It prints from a Windows or Mac computer over a USB cable. If phone printing matters, you need a wireless model such as the DeskJet 2600 series.
Does the HP DeskJet 1010 scan or copy?expand_more
No. The DeskJet 1010 is a print-only machine - it has no scanner, copier, or fax. If you need scanning and copying in the same family, look at the all-in-one DeskJet 1050 or 1051.

HP DeskJet 1010 Troubleshooting Guides

Step-by-step fixes for the most common DeskJet 1010 problems:

line_style Fix Printer Streaks & Lines format_color_fill Not Printing Black? 7 Fixes
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Important Safety Instructions

  • Always turn the HP DeskJet 1010 off using the On button and wait for the light to go out before unplugging — this prevents ink cartridges from drying out.
  • Regularly align the ink cartridges via the printer toolbox (Print > Maintain Your Printer > Device Services > Align Ink Cartridges) to maintain sharp, accurate print output.
  • Clean the ink cartridge electrical contacts and corresponding printer contacts with a dry lint-free cloth if you experience cartridge errors — never leave cartridges outside the printer for more than 30 minutes.
  • Check estimated ink levels frequently through the printer software and replace HP 61 or HP 61XL cartridges promptly when low to avoid print quality degradation.

Replacement Ink Cartridges

The HP DeskJet 1010 printer uses genuine HP 61 / HP 61XL ink cartridges. Select your cartridge below to purchase replacement cartridges on Amazon:

shopping_cart Buy HP 61 on Amazon shopping_cart Buy HP 61XL on Amazon

Technical Specifications

Feature Specification
Printer ModelHP DeskJet 1010
Ink CartridgesHP 61 / HP 61XL (Black and Tri-color)
ConnectivityUSB (cable recommended 3 m / 10 ft or less); no WiFi
Maximum Print ResolutionUp to 4800x1200 optimized dpi (Color); Automatic (Black)
Print SpeedUp to 7 ppm black / 4 ppm color (ISO); up to 20 ppm black / 16 ppm color (draft); first page out in 17 sec (black) / 24 sec (color)
Print TypeColor Inkjet
Supported Resolutions300x300 dpi, 600x300 dpi, 600x600 dpi, 1200x1200 dpi, 4800x1200 optimized dpi
Compatible Operating SystemsWindows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP; Mac OS X v10.6, Lion, Mountain Lion. ChromeOS: printing only - ink levels and cleaning tools require the Windows/Mac software
Related ModelsHP DeskJet 1000, 1020, 1050, 1050a, 1051
Official Manual (PDF)Download HP DeskJet 1010 Manual
FunctionsPrint only (no scan, copy, or fax)
Monthly Duty CycleUp to 1,000 pages (recommended 50-200 pages per month)
Input Tray CapacityUp to 50 sheets of plain paper
Borderless PrintingNo

HP DeskJet 1010 vs Other 1000 Series Models

The HP DeskJet 1010 is the print-only member of HP's 1000 series. It has no scanner, no copier, and no WiFi - just a single power button and a USB connection to one computer. It carries on the DeskJet 1000 formula - compact body, one button, USB only - with draft speeds up to 20 ppm black and 16 ppm color.

Its siblings split two ways: the DeskJet 1000 shares the same print-only, USB-only formula, while the DeskJet 1050, 1050a, and 1051 add a flatbed scanner and copier. All of them use the same HP 61 and 61XL cartridges, so ink stays the same whichever model you own.

The specifications, ink information, and troubleshooting steps on this page are verified specifically for the DeskJet 1010.