Why Your HP DeskJet 4155e Won’t Accept Refilled Cartridges (and What You Can Do About It)

Customer Question:
I have an HP DeskJet 4155e printer, and it won’t allow me to use refilled ink cartridges. I’ve tried following refill guides, but the printer keeps rejecting the cartridges. Is there any way to get around this issue?

Answer:

Why HP 4155e Rejects Refilled Cartridges

The “e” in 4155e stands for HP+—a cloud-connected, subscription-based system that adds extra functionality like Instant Ink and innovative printing features. However, it comes with a significant limitation:

Once HP+ is activated, the printer is permanently locked into using only genuine HP cartridges.

This is enforced through HP’s firmware, which continuously checks the cartridge’s chip ID, ink levels, and authenticity status through its connection to HP’s servers. Even if you refill a genuine cartridge, the printer can detect that it's been reused and reject it.

Can You Disable HP+ or Revert the Printer?

Unfortunately, once HP+ has been activated—typically during the initial setup—it cannot be deactivated. This means the printer will forever require only original HP cartridges, and refilled or third-party alternatives will be blocked.

Even factory resets or disabling Wi-Fi won’t change this behavior. HP+ firmware is tied to the printer's serial number and model identity at the server level.

The Only Workaround: Use a Non-HP+ Model

If you want the freedom to use refilled or third-party cartridges, the best option is to use the standard HP DeskJet 4155 (without the “e”). The non-HP+ model doesn't enforce the same restrictions, and it allows much more flexibility with cartridge reuse and refilling.

You can often find these standard versions on secondary marketplaces like eBay or local tech resellers. Be sure the listing specifies “No HP+”, “not an e-series”, or simply shows DeskJet 4155 instead of 4155e.

Tips If You're Already Using 4155e:

If you're stuck with the 4155e, here are a few extra tips:

• Avoid signing up for Instant Ink, if you haven’t already. Once enrolled, restrictions get even tighter.

• Keep your printer offline, but this only delays the inevitable—once it syncs with HP servers, the restrictions return.

• Do not update firmware if HP ever releases a rollback, though this is rare with HP+ models.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. So, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis. So, it might take a few weeks before we can get your printer to drop it off. Our services are structured to repair either a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we acknowledge that our rates aren't the most economical. Thus, we highly recommend that you resort to self-help via online research. You can start by checking out YouTube (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Use the search icon next to the "About" tab to look for cartridge hacks, firmware tricks, or model-specific tutorials. With hundreds of videos in our archive, this is often the fastest way to find help.

Thank you again for your support and for being part of our community. We appreciate your patience and wish you the best of luck in finding a setup that gives you the flexibility you need!