Question:
Is it possible to refill HP Instant Ink cartridges, such as HP 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 21, and 59?
Answer:
To address your question: No, you cannot legally refill HP Instant Ink cartridges. Let's break this down clearly:
Refilling Standard HP Cartridges
If you purchased your own HP cartridges outside of the Instant Ink subscription program, you fully own them. Under U.S. consumer protection law-including the Supreme Court decision Impression Products v. Lexmark (2017)-you are legally entitled to refill, remanufacture, or resell those cartridges. This is sometimes referred to as your "right to repair."
So if you bought a regular HP 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 21, or 59 cartridge, you absolutely can refill it without issue.
Why Instant Ink Cartridges Are Different
HP's Instant Ink program works on a subscription and leasing model. Under the terms of the Instant Ink agreement you accepted when signing up, you do not actually own the cartridges-they are leased to you by HP. HP actively monitors their usage, requires their return, and prohibits tampering or refilling.
That means refilling Instant Ink cartridges would violate the contract you entered into with HP. While some users may try, doing so technically breaches the terms of service.
Comparison to Epson ReadyPrint Printers
This leasing model is similar to Epson's ReadyPrint™ program. Printers labeled with "U" at the end of the model (for example, ET-2980U, ET-3850U, ET-5850U, ET-16650U) are part of Epson's subscription plan. In this setup, the printer itself is leased to you, not sold. At the end of your subscription, you must return the printer. Reselling or modifying it falls outside the agreement because you never legally owned the machine in the first place.
In the same way, HP Instant Ink cartridges are essentially on loan. Even though they look like standard cartridges, they must be returned to HP and cannot be refilled or reused legally.
Why We Don't Provide Workarounds
Even though technically it may be possible to refill these cartridges, we at BCH Technologies do not provide instructions on how to do so. Sharing such information would involve teaching people how to modify equipment they don't legally own, which raises serious contractual and legal issues. For example, we've had a situation where a customer asked us to convert an Epson ReadyPrint printer into a regular one. We had to refuse, because it fell outside acceptable and lawful servicing.
So, while we understand the interest, Instant Ink cartridges are tied to HP's leasing agreement, and refilling them is not allowed.
Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. Because of this, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service at our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Please note that we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and it may take a few weeks before we can evaluate your printer. While our repair rates may not be the most economical, we strongly encourage you to pursue self-help options. A great place to start is by exploring our YouTube channel's homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search function (the magnifying glass next to the "About" tab) to find relevant videos. Since we've produced videos for over nine years, this search feature makes it much easier to locate the guidance you need. YouTube may also suggest helpful videos from other channels.
Thank you again for contacting us and for being part of our community. Your engagement keeps us motivated to provide more resources and solutions for printer users worldwide.