HP+ was activated
HP+ printers require Original HP or Instant Ink cartridges for the lifetime of the printer. Compatible cartridges cannot normally be used.
HP cartridge recognition, firmware, HP+ and Instant Ink help
Understand why an HP printer may reject a compatible cartridge, how firmware and Dynamic Security can affect recognition, and the important differences between HP+, HP Instant Ink and an ordinary HP printer.
If a cartridge worked normally and then stopped after a printer update, keep the cartridge and packaging. Record the exact error message, printer model, cartridge code and firmware version before contacting our support team.
Chat Assist
Ask Chat Assist
Not sure whether this is HP+, Instant Ink or firmware?
Tell Chat Assist your exact HP printer model, cartridge code and the message shown on the printer. It can help you work out which restriction or recognition issue is most likely before you start changing settings or replacing cartridges.
Which situation applies to your printer?
HP+, Instant Ink and Dynamic Security are related subjects, but they are not the same thing.
Instant Ink subscription
Instant Ink cartridges require an active subscription. Ordinary retail cartridges are a separate supply type and may be used on eligible non-HP+ printers.
Firmware update
Dynamic Security firmware can change cartridge recognition and may block a cartridge that previously worked.
Cartridge rejected
Messages may refer to an incompatible, unsupported, damaged, depleted, non-HP or missing cartridge.
Cartridge Protection
A protected HP cartridge may be locked to the printer in which protection was enabled and may not work in another machine.
Ordinary HP printer
A non-HP+ printer may accept compatible cartridges, but Dynamic Security, cartridge settings and firmware still need to be considered.
HP+, Instant Ink and ordinary HP printers explained
The labels used by HP can be confusing. Before troubleshooting a compatible cartridge, it is important to establish whether the printer is an HP+ printer, is merely enrolled in Instant Ink, or is operating as an ordinary retail printer.
| Printer or service status | Can compatible cartridges normally be used? | Important point |
|---|---|---|
| HP+ activated | No | HP requires Original HP or Instant Ink cartridges for the lifetime of an HP+ activated printer. |
| Instant Ink enrolled, but not HP+ | Check printer | Regular retail cartridges may be used on eligible printers, but Instant Ink cartridges must be removed and subscription conditions still apply. |
| Instant Ink subscription cancelled | Usually, with retail cartridges | Subscription cartridges stop working when the plan ends. Replace them with suitable ordinary retail cartridges. |
| Standard non-HP+ printer | Potentially yes | Compatibility can still be affected by Dynamic Security, cartridge chips, firmware and printer settings. |
| HP Cartridge Policy enabled | Not while enabled | On supported business printers, Cartridge Policy can restrict the printer to genuine HP toner. |
| Cartridge Protection enabled | Depends on cartridge | Protected cartridges may become associated with one printer and may be rejected by another printer. |
What is HP+?
HP+ is a printer service and activation arrangement available with certain HP printer models. It is not simply another name for Instant Ink.
When HP+ is selected and activated, the printer must remain connected to the internet, use an HP account and use only Original HP or HP Instant Ink supplies for the lifetime of the printer.
HP+ cannot normally be reversed after activation
A compatible cartridge is not suitable for a printer that has been permanently activated for HP+. Replacing the cartridge, resetting the printer or cancelling Instant Ink does not remove the HP+ supply requirement.
How can I tell whether HP+ was activated?
- Check the HP app or the HP account linked to the printer.
- Look for HP+ status, benefits or activation details in the printer account.
- Check the original setup emails or activation confirmation.
- Look for a cartridge-rejected message specifically referring to HP+.
- Ask HP support to confirm the printer’s activation status if it remains unclear.
The letter “e” does not always prove HP+ activation
Many eligible printer models include an “e” in the model name, but eligibility and actual activation are different. Confirm the status through the printer’s HP account rather than relying only on the model name.
HP Instant Ink explained
HP Instant Ink is a subscription service. The printer reports usage and supply information to HP, and subscription cartridges are supplied as part of the plan.
Instant Ink cartridges are tied to an active Instant Ink account. If the plan is cancelled, suspended or inactive because of a payment problem, those subscription cartridges can stop printing even if ink remains inside them.
Instant Ink cartridge
Supplied as part of the subscription. It requires the printer to remain correctly enrolled in an active plan and is not an ordinary retail cartridge.
Ordinary retail cartridge
Purchased separately rather than supplied under the subscription. On an eligible non-HP+ printer, ordinary cartridges may be used instead of Instant Ink supplies.
Changing from Instant Ink to ordinary cartridges
- Confirm that the printer has not been activated for HP+.
- Review the Instant Ink account and any cancellation date or outstanding account issue.
- Remove every Instant Ink subscription cartridge from the printer.
- Install a complete suitable set of ordinary retail cartridges where the printer requires all colours to be present.
- Restart the printer and allow it to initialise the replacement cartridges.
- Contact HP if the printer continues to request Instant Ink enrolment after all subscription cartridges have been removed.
Do not mix subscription and ordinary cartridges unnecessarily
HP states that pages printed using regular cartridges are not counted under Instant Ink when none of the installed cartridges are Instant Ink cartridges. For a clean changeover, remove the subscription supplies before installing the ordinary replacement set.
What is HP Dynamic Security?
Dynamic Security is HP technology used to authenticate cartridge chips or electronic circuitry. On affected printers, firmware can block cartridges using a non-HP chip or modified non-HP circuitry.
Periodic firmware updates may change how the printer authenticates a cartridge. This means a compatible cartridge that was accepted previously may later display a recognition or cartridge error after an update.
- Dynamic Security is not limited to HP+ printers.
- It may affect both ink and toner printer ranges.
- The behaviour varies by printer model, firmware and cartridge generation.
- An update may affect cartridges already installed in the printer.
- A rejected cartridge is not automatically empty or physically damaged.
Firmware cannot always be rolled back
Do not attempt an unofficial firmware downgrade or install software from an unknown source. Downgrades are not available for every model and an interrupted or incorrect firmware process may leave the printer unusable.
A cartridge stopped working after a firmware update
If the cartridge worked before the update and the printer rejected it immediately afterwards, the timing may indicate a firmware-related recognition change. Complete the checks below before assuming the cartridge is physically faulty.
- Photograph or write down the exact message shown on the printer or in the HP app.
- Record the full printer model, including any letters after the model number.
- Record the cartridge number, colour and any code printed on its label.
- Print or view a configuration page to find the current firmware version where the printer allows this.
- Check the HP app or printer history to establish whether an update was installed recently.
- Remove and reinstall the affected cartridge, checking its contacts and seating.
- Switch the printer off, disconnect the power for two minutes and restart it.
- Contact us with the collected information before discarding or returning the cartridge.
Keep any other cartridges from the same set
If one or more colours are rejected after an update, keep the entire set and packaging. Different colours may contain chips from the same production batch and the information can help us identify the issue.
Common HP cartridge messages
| Printer message | What it may mean | First action |
|---|---|---|
| Incompatible cartridge | Incorrect cartridge code, regional mismatch, contact problem, firmware recognition or unsupported cartridge. | Check the exact cartridge number and reinstall it. |
| Cartridge rejected | HP+, Dynamic Security, an authentication issue or an invalid cartridge chip may be involved. | Confirm whether HP+ is active and record the firmware version. |
| Non-HP cartridge installed | The printer has detected a cartridge it does not identify as Original HP. | Follow any Continue, OK or acknowledgement option where offered. |
| Cartridge cannot be used until printer is enrolled | An Instant Ink subscription cartridge is installed in a printer that is not correctly enrolled in an active plan. | Check the Instant Ink account or replace all subscription cartridges with ordinary retail cartridges. |
| HP protected cartridge installed | The cartridge was locked to another printer through Cartridge Protection. | Replace the protected cartridge with one suitable for this printer. |
| Cartridge depleted or very low | The printer’s stored supply data has reached its estimated limit, or the cartridge may genuinely be empty. | Check whether printing is allowed and assess actual print quality. |
| One or more cartridges are missing or damaged | The cartridge is not seated, contacts are dirty, the chip is not being read or the printer carriage has a contact issue. | Remove, inspect and firmly reinstall the named cartridge. |
Basic cartridge recognition checks
Not every HP recognition message is caused by firmware. Complete these normal installation checks before treating the problem as an update issue.
- Confirm that the cartridge code matches the exact printer model and sales region.
- Remove all transport clips, protective tape and covers.
- Inspect the cartridge contacts or chip area for dust, packaging residue or damage.
- Use a clean, dry, lint-free cloth on accessible electrical contacts where needed. Do not use cleaning sprays or abrasive materials.
- Reinstall every cartridge firmly in its correct colour position.
- Close all covers completely and allow the printer to finish checking the supplies.
- Disconnect the printer from mains power for two minutes before restarting it.
Do not use adhesive tape on cartridge contacts
Old internet guides sometimes suggest covering selected contacts to bypass cartridge messages. This can create new recognition faults and may damage the cartridge or printer contact assembly.
Automatic firmware updates
Firmware updates may include security, reliability and printer-function changes. They may also update Dynamic Security measures on supported printers.
Update controls vary considerably between HP models. They may appear on the printer control panel, in the HP app, within the printer’s Embedded Web Server or as part of software installed on a computer.
Before changing an update setting
- Confirm that the printer is not an HP+ model requiring an internet connection.
- Review whether the update contains an important security or reliability fix.
- Record the existing firmware version before installing an update.
- Do not interrupt power while firmware is being installed.
- Do not download firmware from unofficial websites.
- Understand that disabling automatic updates does not reverse an update already installed.
There is no single update procedure for every HP printer
Menus and available choices differ by product family. Use the documentation for the exact printer model and do not assume an instruction written for another HP printer will apply.
Cartridge Policy and Cartridge Protection
Certain HP LaserJet and business printers include supply-security settings that are separate from HP+ and Dynamic Security.
Cartridge Policy
When enabled on a supported printer, Cartridge Policy restricts the machine to cartridges identified as genuine HP. A network administrator may be able to disable the policy through the control panel or Embedded Web Server.
Cartridge Protection
Cartridge Protection associates cartridges with a printer or fleet. A protected cartridge removed from one printer may be rejected when installed in another.
How to identify a supply-policy problem
- The message may refer to an unauthorised or protected cartridge.
- The printer may be managed by an employer or external IT company.
- The Embedded Web Server may show Cartridge Policy or Protection as enabled.
- Several cartridges may be rejected in the same printer.
- The same cartridge may work in its original printer but not in another machine.
Check with the network administrator first
Do not change security or supply policies on a managed business printer without permission. The restriction may have been deliberately applied across the fleet.
When a compatible cartridge is not suitable
We will always try to help, but there are situations in which a compatible cartridge cannot resolve the restriction.
- The printer has been permanently activated for HP+.
- The cartridge is an Instant Ink subscription cartridge and the plan is inactive.
- The printer requires a different cartridge number or regional version.
- A protected cartridge has been locked to another printer.
- A managed printer has Cartridge Policy enabled by its administrator.
- The printer has a hardware fault affecting cartridge contacts or the carriage.
- The printer requires its original setup cartridges to complete first-time installation.
Contact us before ordering a second cartridge
If the cause is HP+, a printer policy or a hardware problem, installing another compatible cartridge is unlikely to change the result. Let us check the printer status and message first.
Information to send our support team
Providing complete information helps us distinguish between an installation issue, firmware change, HP+ restriction, subscription problem and cartridge fault.
- Your order number.
- The complete HP printer model and product number where available.
- The cartridge number, colour and code printed on its label.
- The exact printer or HP app error message.
- A photograph of the printer display or screenshot from the HP app.
- The current firmware version.
- The approximate date of the most recent printer update.
- Whether the cartridge worked before the update.
- Whether HP+ was activated during printer setup.
- Whether the printer is or has been enrolled in Instant Ink.
- Whether other colours are accepted or rejected.
- Whether the printer is managed by a workplace or IT administrator.
HP firmware and cartridge questions
Does subscribing to Instant Ink prevent compatible cartridges?
Not in every case. An eligible non-HP+ printer may use ordinary retail cartridges instead of Instant Ink supplies. However, all Instant Ink subscription cartridges should be removed, and the printer must not be subject to a separate HP+ or supply-policy restriction.
Can an HP+ printer use compatible cartridges after Instant Ink is cancelled?
No. Cancelling Instant Ink does not remove an HP+ activation. HP+ requires Original HP or Instant Ink cartridges for the lifetime of the printer.
Can HP+ be disabled or removed?
HP+ is intended as a lifetime activation for the printer. A factory reset, account change or Instant Ink cancellation does not normally convert the printer back into a non-HP+ model.
Why did my cartridge work before the firmware update?
Firmware can change the way a Dynamic Security-enabled printer authenticates cartridge chips. A cartridge that was previously accepted may therefore be rejected after an update, although normal installation and contact issues should still be ruled out.
Should I downgrade my printer firmware?
Do not attempt an unofficial downgrade. Rollback support varies by model, and using incorrect files or interrupting a firmware process may leave the printer unusable. Contact support with the printer and firmware details first.
Will a factory reset remove Dynamic Security?
No. A factory reset may clear user settings, but it does not normally remove the firmware or Dynamic Security measures installed on the printer.
What does “HP protected cartridge installed” mean?
The cartridge has been associated with another printer through HP Cartridge Protection. A cartridge locked to another printer cannot normally be reused in the current machine.
Can I mix Instant Ink and shop-bought cartridges?
Mixing supply types can complicate subscription and page-counting behaviour. When changing away from Instant Ink, remove all subscription cartridges and install the correct ordinary retail set for the printer.
Does a non-HP message mean the cartridge is faulty?
Not necessarily. It may simply be an acknowledgement that the printer does not identify the cartridge as Original HP. Follow any permitted Continue or OK instruction and assess whether the printer recognises and prints normally.
Should I return the cartridge immediately?
No. Ask Chat Assist or contact us first with the printer model, cartridge code, firmware version, HP+ or Instant Ink status and exact error message. This helps us establish whether a replacement cartridge is likely to resolve the issue.
Still having trouble with an HP cartridge?
Ask Chat Assist to continue troubleshooting, or contact our UK-based support team with your order number, full printer model, cartridge code, exact error message, firmware version and HP+ or Instant Ink status.