HP+ printer program blocks any non-HP, remanufactured ink cartridges

Topic

New Reply

Does anyone know a workaround for this issue HP+ printer ink issue?

I activated the HP+ free ink cartridge for 6-months with my latest HP printer purchase. A few days before it was to expire, I installed remanufactured ink cartridges and **managed to print over 100 pages for a project**. A few days later, when the 6-months expired, without my renewing the HP ink replacement contract, it successfully blocked the remanufactured cartridges from working – presumably new software was downloaded onto the printer.

Are there any workarounds for this issue? HP ink cartridges, which are more expensive than remanufactured, supply only 250 pages yield vs. 705 pages for the remanufactured cartridges I installed.

I’ve used remanufactured ink cartridges in HP printers for years; this is the first time I’ve encountered this problem.

Reply | Quote

Replies

We recently purchased a HP LaserJet M209dwe.

We were in a rush when we purchased it and did not read the fine print that described the printer – including the fact that according to HP, “This printer is intended to work only with cartridges that have a new or reused HP chip, and it uses dynamic security measures to block cartridges using a non-HP chip. Periodic firmware updates will maintain the effectiveness of these measures and block cartridges that previously worked.”

The printer’s description goes on to say, “This is an HP+ enabled printer. Choose HP+ at product setup to activate benefits. HP+ requires an HP account, ongoing connection to the internet, and exclusive use of Original HP Ink cartridges for the life of the printer.”

https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/pdp/hp-laserjet-m209dwe-printer

In our case, the new LaserJet M209dwe was sent to the recycle bin and replaced with a Brother printer.

Since your printer calls home to HP to make sure that you are in compliance with the HP toner requirements you may want to see if you can adjust your firewall to block the printer’s ability to contact HP.

See the thread Adobe Acrobat Standard 2020 call home at:

https://www.askwoody.com/forums/search/acrobat/

At this point strongly recommend avoiding the purchase of new HP printers.

8 users thanked author for this post.

A1ex, PL1, fridges, LaRuca, lmacri, windbg, Cybertooth, Sky

Reply | Quote

Try ; https://www.yoyoink.com/articles/how-to-make-generic-ink-cartridges-work-on-an-hp-printer/

Block HP calling home in the Firewall/Settings

3 users thanked author for this post.

wavy, Cybertooth, Kathy Stevens

Reply | Quote

Wish we had found the yoyoink.com site earlier.

If we had, we may have saved the $94 purchase price of our recently recycled HP LaserJet M209dwe.

However the question remains, in our mind, if the yoyoink workaround is the answer.

It is our understanding that the subject HP printers are supposed to call home monthly to validate that the printer is using the “correct” toner.

If they can’t call home, does the printer deactivate?

In other words, does the software in the printer deactivate the unit if it is not reactivated by HP monthly?

Due to the uncertainty, we are comfortable with our decision to purchase the new Brother printer and are happy not to have to sit on the edge of our seats hoping that a HP printer will work when we have a time sensitive print job.

Therefore, the best option for us is not to buy HP printers.

1 user thanked author for this post.

windbg

Reply | Quote

From the information provided in the first two posts above, it sounds to me like this obnoxious behavior by the HP printers is triggered by subscribing to the HP+ subscription service.

Would that be an accurate description of the situation, and if it is, might it be possible to bypass the problem altogether by declining to join the HP+ service?

Keep Running Windows 7 Safely for Years to Come  
Make Windows 10 look and work like Windows 7

Reply | Quote

Sure.  This software block is triggered by subscribing to the HP+ free ink program. No doubt it was there in plain sight when I signed up for it.  Future buyers may bypass this problem by not subscribing to the HP+ program.

Meanwhile, I’m ready to ‘recycle’ my $200 printer.  I will try to ‘reset to factory default’ to try a workaround hack; if that fails I will go for another brand.

I don’t want to mess with my firewall; I believe the software is now loaded/activated locally on the printer.

Thanks to all the helpful responses from you all.  Most grateful for your timely input.

ee

 

Reply | Quote

I received a deskjet 4100 series hp printer as a gift, and the courtesy cartridge included in the box didn’t work. I figured it was dried out, so I bought a new one, and of course it didn’t work either. I finally bought cartridges from HP. They worked for a short time

I talked to a guy on HPs support team. He decided my computer was infected, and was worried they would hack my bank account. He referred me to their security team, and the estimated cost to remove the virus was $200

I didn’t fall for it, and ran a program myself to check my relatively new computer. It was clean as a whistle. He never informed me I would have to enroll in their program for my printer to work. I found out on my own after months of frustration

At this point, I’m trying to decide if I should trash the new printer and buy a generic brand, or just reconcile to my captors demands

1 user thanked author for this post.

windbg

Reply | Quote

Brenda, When you say you received this printer as a gift was it brand new, in a never opened box and from a trusted friend? It seems you already spent a fair amount of money purchasing cartridges. IMHO I would never reconcile to my captors demands since that is giving in to a possible scam.

Reply | Quote

The subscription program is irrelevant.

The firmware update is designed to block any non-HP laser (or ink) cartridge.

Do not accept any firmware updates , ever, period.

Buy third-party cartridges with used OEM chips.

Reply | Quote

The two internet-based elements of some HP printers include:

• HP+ is an optional subscription service that customers can choose to participate in Instant Ink Savings (ink or toner), that provides convenience and cost savings of up to 50% on purchased Original HP ink or toner directly from the retailer of their choice.
• A requirement that a HP printer works only with cartridges that have a new or reused HP chip, and HP uses dynamic security measures to block cartridges using a non-HP chips.
  • Periodic firmware updates are used to “maintain the effectiveness of these measures and block cartridges that previously worked“.
  • Firmware updates delivered periodically over the internet will maintain the effectiveness of the dynamic security measures.
  • Updates can block cartridges using a non-HP chip or modified or non-HP circuitry from working in the printer, including cartridges that work today.
  • Most HP printers can be configured to receive updates either automatically or with a notification that allows the owner to choose whether to update or not.

See:  https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c05310148

 

 

2 users thanked author for this post.

Alex5723, Cybertooth

Reply | Quote

Kathy Stevens wrote:

Periodic firmware updates are used to “maintain the effectiveness of these measures and block cartridges that previously worked“.

When I bought my AIO Samsung Laser printer I was warned by the seller NOT to update Firmware as it will block installing compatible ink toner.

I haven’t updated printer’s firmware since purchase and replaced the original ink toners a while ago.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Cybertooth

Reply | Quote

I read the fine print, and it seems that regardless of whether or not you activate the HP+ subscription, non-HP cartridges will eventually prevent the machine from working, even if they work initially.

 

 

Reply | Quote

Good news on this score: https://www.theregister.com/2024/07/09/hp_to_discontinue_eseries_laserjets/

HP is discontinuing its e-series LaserJet printers due to customer complaints, along with the HP+ and the “Instant Ink” toner subscription services tied to the hardware.

[…]

According to German tech publication DruckerChannel (auf Deutsch), all HP LaserJet printers that carry an “e” suffix such as the Laserjet M110we are being discontinued, and the company will no longer offer LaserJet products with HP+. It is understood that existing customers that own these devices will continue to be able to use them.

 

Keep Running Windows 7 Safely for Years to Come  
Make Windows 10 look and work like Windows 7

2 users thanked author for this post.

Sueska, TechTango

Reply | Quote

I hope for the day that HP will be discontinued.

1 user thanked author for this post.

WSbobby-p

Reply | Quote

HP is discontinuing its e-series LaserJet printers due to customer complaints, along with the HP+ and the “Instant Ink” toner subscription services tied to the hardware. […] According to German tech publication DruckerChannel (auf Deutsch), all HP LaserJet printers that carry an “e” suffix such as the Laserjet M110we are being discontinued

Huh. And all this time (the last decade, at least), I was under the impression the “e” suffix signified models with a RJ45 ethernet port. I thought it was “d” for duplex printing, “w” for wifi, and “e” for wired ethernet.

I assumed that’s what it’s always meant and I guess I didn’t notice it must have morphed definitions somewhere along the way.

 

 

Reply | Quote

Print AI: HP injects AI into its printers

HP jumped on the AI bandwagon today when it announced Print AI for its printers. Is it a ploy to extract even more money from unsuspecting customers, or something truly useful?

Here are the details:

Print AI is available as a Beta.
It adds new features to select HP printers.
HP has not mentioned the price of the feature…

https://www.hp.com/us-en/newsroom/press-releases/2024/hp-print-ai.html

* Lucky I dumped HP printers many years ago.
* I also got rid of my Samsung AIO laser printer after HP bought Samsung’s Printer Business.

Reply | Quote

It irritates me that many printer manufacturers are requiring customers to buy their OEM brand of ink in order to continue to use a printer that each customer paid for.  Does Chevrolet or Ford require Chevrolet or Ford OEM gasoline in order to drive a car?  The situation seems like a need for a lawsuit and a large anti-trust case.

Reply | Quote

Does Chevrolet or Ford require Chevrolet or Ford OEM gasoline in order to drive a car?  The situation seems like a need for a lawsuit and a large anti-trust case.

In a way, kind of. They tried to force all service to be by authorized dealer’s service shops. In other words, while your car was under warranty, they tried to make you use the dealer’s shop. That got overturned.

 

Reply | Quote

Alex5723 wrote:

I also got rid of my Samsung AIO laser printer after HP bought Samsung’s Printer Business.

I have a Samsung Xpress SL-C460FW Color AIO. It still works great. I rarely use it (which is what I love about laser), but it works fine with 3rd party cartridges and HP still has a section on their site dedicated to providing software and driver support. Even for Win11!

1 user thanked author for this post.

Cybertooth

Reply | Quote

Bob Gusciora wrote:

It irritates me that many printer manufacturers are requiring customers to buy their OEM brand of ink in order to continue to use a printer

Printers are dirt cheap. OEMs make money selling ink cartridges.

Reply | Quote

PL1 wrote:

but it works fine with 3rd party cartridges

Until you update printer’s firmware.

Reply | Quote

Alex5723 wrote:

Until you update printer’s firmware.

I always thought that goes without saying for anyone who plans on using 3rd party ink & toner for any printer. But, no, I have never updated the firmware. Looking at the site, the last (and only) firmware update for this printer was 2017. I’m not going to test it.

2 users thanked author for this post.

Alex5723, Cybertooth

Reply | Quote