HP OfficeJet Pro 8035e Rejecting Refilled HP 910 Cartridges: How to Fix the "Used or Counterfeit" Cartridge Error

Question:
I followed the refill instructions for my original HP 910 cartridges in an HP OfficeJet Pro 8035e. The refill itself seemed to work fine, and the printer continued printing normally for about two weeks. But now the printer will not print and shows this message: "Cartridges Rejected - The indicated cartridges have been recently identified as used or counterfeit." Is there any way to keep printing with these refilled cartridges in this printer?

Answer:

What likely happened is that your HP OfficeJet Pro 8035e initially accepted the refilled HP 910 cartridges, but later performed another cartridge authentication check and then decided to block them. In other words, the refill process itself may have been successful mechanically, but the printer's firmware later identified the cartridges as previously used or non-genuine and locked them out.

The exact message you reported is:

"Cartridges Rejected - The indicated cartridges have been recently identified as used or counterfeit."

This is not usually a fill-hole problem, an ink-flow problem, or a bad refill technique. Instead, it is generally a firmware-level cartridge authentication issue. On newer HP OfficeJet Pro models, especially the "e" series like the 8035e, HP has added stricter cartridge validation routines. Sometimes the printer allows a refilled cartridge to work for a while and then rejects it later, which matches your situation exactly.

One important thing to check first is this setting:

Go to Setup > Preferences > Store Anonymous Usage Information and turn it off.

This does not guarantee a fix, but it is worth doing. On some HP printers, usage reporting and online communication appear to be tied to how aggressively cartridge data gets reported or rechecked. Turning that setting off may help reduce future supply-related validation issues, especially if done early. However, once the printer has already firmly rejected a specific cartridge set, disabling that option may not bring those same cartridges back to life.

There are several possible reasons this happened:

1. The printer performed a delayed validation check.
Some printers do not reject a cartridge immediately. They may print normally for days or even weeks, then reject it after a later startup cycle, firmware check, internet connection event, or internal supply verification.

2. The printer may be using newer firmware.
HP periodically updates printer firmware, and some updates make the machine more strict about identifying refilled, reused, or third-party cartridges. If the printer updated itself in the background, that may have triggered the rejection.

3. The printer may be tied to HP+ behavior or stricter cloud-connected supply rules.
Many newer HP "e" series models are more aggressive about cartridge authentication, especially when connected online for long periods. If the machine is enrolled in HP+ or has cloud-connected features enabled, it may be less refill-friendly than older models.

4. The cartridge chip history was flagged.
Even if the cartridge is original HP, once it has been used, refilled, and then rechecked, the printer may flag the cartridge chip as already consumed, reused, or no longer acceptable. The problem is often the chip logic, not the ink.

As for whether there is a way to keep printing with those same refilled cartridges, the honest answer is: usually not reliably. Once the HP OfficeJet Pro 8035e displays the "used or counterfeit" rejection, the printer has typically made a firmware-level decision to refuse those cartridges. On these newer models, there is generally no dependable reset sequence in the printer menu that will restore normal use of those exact cartridges.

Here are the practical things you can try:

1. Turn off anonymous usage reporting.
As mentioned above, go to:
Setup > Preferences > Store Anonymous Usage Information > Off
This is a good preventative step, though it may not recover cartridges that are already blocked.

2. Power-cycle the printer.
Turn the printer off, unplug it from power for a few minutes, then restart it. This is simple, but in most cases it will not clear a true cartridge rejection. Still, it is worth trying once.

3. Reseat the cartridges.
Remove the cartridges, inspect the electrical contacts, and reinstall them carefully. If there is any ink contamination on the chip area or contacts, gently clean them with a lint-free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water, then let them dry fully before reinstalling. This will only help if part of the issue is poor electrical contact. It will not usually solve a genuine authentication block.

4. Try another set of cartridges.
If you have another set of HP 910 cartridges, even empty originals that the printer has not yet flagged the same way, test them. If the printer accepts those, that confirms the problem is tied to the rejected cartridge chips rather than a hardware failure in the printer.

5. Check whether the printer is enrolled in HP+ or tightly tied to online supply controls.
If so, that can make refill use much harder. Some users find these models are simply not practical for long-term refill use.

6. Avoid firmware updates in the future, if possible.
If the printer still functions with accepted cartridges, avoiding future automatic firmware updates may help preserve compatibility. On refill-sensitive printers, firmware updates often make things worse rather than better.

Unfortunately, with the HP OfficeJet Pro 8035e and HP 910 cartridges, there is no broadly reliable workaround once the printer has already decided the cartridges are "used or counterfeit." The most realistic options are usually:

• try another cartridge set

• use new original cartridges

• determine whether the printer is operating under HP+/strict firmware conditions

• consider a more refill-friendly printer model in the future

So, to answer your question directly: yes, some people are able to print with refilled cartridges on this model for a while, but once the printer starts showing the "Cartridges Rejected" and "used or counterfeit" message, there is usually no dependable way to force those same cartridges back into service.

Printer problems like this can be especially difficult because they often involve both physical cartridge behavior and firmware restrictions, which are hard to diagnose remotely. For that reason, we are not able to provide remote troubleshooting, repair suggestions, or hands-on support for printer repairs. We do offer in-person evaluation and repair through our local diagnostic facility, 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 before we are able to accept your printer for drop-off. Our service options are set up to handle either complete printers or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. At the same time, we understand that our rates may not be the lowest available, so we strongly recommend self-help research whenever possible. A great place to begin is YouTube, including our YouTube channel homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon next to "About" on the right side of the menu bar to look for videos on your exact topic. We receive dozens of questions every day asking whether we have a video for a specific issue, and after publishing content for many years, using YouTube's search feature is the fastest and most efficient way to find the right one. You may also discover helpful videos from other channels that apply to your situation.

Thank you again for reaching out and for supporting BCH Technologies. We truly appreciate your trust, your patience, and your continued engagement with our work.