How to Handle HP Instant Ink Cartridges That Stop Working (Cartridges #60-#68, #21, #59)

Question:
I signed up for HP Instant Ink and returned my empty cartridge in the mail. HP sent me a replacement cartridge but it stopped working. They replaced it again and the second one also didn't work. Now HP is telling me that I must have used a non-HP cartridge, but I've never bought a cartridge in my life. I no longer subscribe to Instant Ink but I still have the cartridges they sent. Is there any legal/legitimate trick to make those Instant Ink cartridges work in my printer?

Answer:

First - a clear, direct statement: I cannot and will not provide instructions on how to modify, bypass, or otherwise tamper with HP Instant Ink cartridges or leased/managed cartridges. Those cartridges are the property of HP (they're part of a subscription/lease system), and modifying or attempting to defeat their security mechanisms can violate HP's terms of service and may be illegal in some jurisdictions. It's also unethical to advise on circumventing a vendor's subscription/DRM system. For that reason I won't give any steps to "hack" or reprogram Instant Ink cartridges.

What I can and will do is explain legitimate troubleshooting steps and lawful alternatives you can try to get a working print solution.

1) Why HP Instant Ink cartridges can stop working

• Subscription/Account Status: Instant Ink cartridges are linked to an HP account and subscription. If the subscription is canceled, some account-linked services or cartridge activations may be affected.

• Cartridge Registration/Blacklisting: HP can blacklist single-use or replacement cartridges if there's an activation/fulfillment error or if they were previously reported as missing/returned improperly.

• Printer Firmware / Authentication Checks: Modern HP printers often perform authentication checks and firmware updates that can reject or flag cartridges that don't meet expected authentication data.

• Defective or Damaged Cartridges: It's also possible the replacement cartridges are genuinely defective (electronics or chip failure) or damaged in transit.

2) Safe troubleshooting steps you can try right now

(These are lawful, non-invasive checks - nothing that modifies or bypasses HP systems.)

• Power-cycle the printer: Turn it off, unplug for 60 seconds, then plug in and power on. Sometimes the printer clears a temporary authentication glitch.

• Reseat the cartridge(s): Remove and reinstall the cartridges, ensuring the protective tape (if present) is removed and the chip contacts are clean and seated correctly.

• Inspect and clean contacts: Gently clean the gold contacts on the cartridge and inside the carriage with a lint-free cloth lightly moistened with isopropyl alcohol. Let fully dry before reinstalling.

• Check printer status/menu: Use the printer's onboard menu or HP Smart app to view cartridge status and any specific error messages (sometimes the UI shows a more detailed reason than a phone rep).

• Try another known-good cartridge: If you have a new, genuine retail (non-Instant Ink) HP cartridge that is sold for your model, try it. That will tell you if the printer itself is functioning or if it's an authentication issue specific to Instant Ink cartridges.

• Update printer firmware (cautiously): If you haven't updated firmware in a long time, an update may fix issues. Note: firmware updates can also add stricter authentication checks; if you suspect third-party cartridges are involved, weigh that risk.

• Check HP account history: Log into your HP account and review Instant Ink history and cartridge/plan status - sometimes reinstating or resolving a billing/return issue will restore functionality.

3) Contact and account options (recommended, lawful routes)

• Call HP Support / Reinstate Instant Ink: If the cartridges are indeed Instant Ink property, the cleanest solution is to contact HP support and explain the replacements failed. You can ask them to: (a) verify cartridge serial numbers, (b) reinstate the Instant Ink subscription temporarily so cartridges re-activate, or (c) send replacement cartridges under their program. Often HP can reactivate or exchange cartridges when handled via official support channels.

• If you no longer want Instant Ink: Ask HP what your options are for returning or disposing of the remaining Instant Ink cartridges, and whether there's a path to buying retail OEM cartridges that will work reliably with your printer.

• Purchase OEM retail cartridges: If you prefer not to deal with Instant Ink further, buying new retail HP cartridges (sold through authorized retailers) is the simplest way to guarantee compatibility.

4) Why we refuse to help modify leased/subscription cartridges

HP's Instant Ink cartridges are provided under a subscription/ownership model. Guiding someone on how to modify or reprogram the cartridge chip or the printer to accept a cartridge it has flagged would be instructions to circumvent protections on a vendor-owned item - we do not provide that support. This protects you legally and protects our ability to offer legitimate repair and support services.

5) If you need hands-on help

If you want professional assistance diagnosing whether the problem is the printer hardware, account activation, or cartridge defects, consider contacting HP support first. If that route doesn't resolve it and you still want a physical inspection, we do offer in-person diagnostic and repair services (see below).

Addressing printer issues can be complicated because they often require hands-on inspection and testing. For that reason, we aren't able to provide remote instructions for modifying or reworking subscription cartridges. We do provide an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility: BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Because demand is high we work on a first-come, first-served basis and it may take a few weeks for a drop-off appointment. Our services cover full printer repairs or individual component fixes. We understand our rates aren't the lowest, so when appropriate we encourage self-help via online research and video tutorials. Start with our YouTube channel homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) and use the channel's search icon (next to the "About" tab) to find model-specific guides - with nine years of content, searching is the fastest way to find relevant videos.

Thank you again for your question, for your patience, and for supporting BCH Technologies. We appreciate you reaching out and we hope one of the lawful options above gets you back to printing soon.