Charging me for an additional month of Instant Ink when the printer doesn't work?

[bw5050]

My printer is not working; I get an error indicating that "cartridges are not communicating correctly with the printer". I've followed the recommended steps to replace the cartridge with a new cartridge as well as to clean the carriage; the printer is still not functional and I get the same error message. I just cancelled instant ink, since I cannot use the printer at all, yet I see that I will be charged for an additional month of instant ink again on February 16th? To be clear, I am cancelling my subscription with more than a week left in the current billing period and yet HP is going to charge me for the next month too?  When I cannot even use the printer?  Charging customers for an additional month of a subscription beyond their current billing period/subscription month is absurd in any case and unethical in a situation where the customer cannot utilize said subscription services because the product does not work!  Anyone have any guidance?  I've been unable to contact support and the virtual chat agent is utterly worthless.  I suppose I'll have to decline charges via my credit card company.  Last HP product I buy EVER.

[Garp_senchau]

@bw5050,

Thanks for reaching out to the HP Support Community! 🎉

I completely understand your frustration, and I can imagine how upsetting it must be to deal with both a printer that's not functioning properly and an unwanted charge for a service you’re not even able to use! 😔 It’s definitely not the experience we want for our customers, and I truly apologize for the inconvenience you’re facing.

Let's break this down and see if we can get things sorted for you:

Printer Cartridge Error: If you’ve already replaced the cartridge and cleaned the carriage, that’s usually a good first step. However, since the error persists, I would recommend a few more troubleshooting steps:

Check Cartridge Alignment: Sometimes the cartridges may not be properly aligned inside the carriage. To fix this:

• Open the printer’s lid, remove the cartridges, and then reinstall them carefully, making sure they click into place. This can ensure that they're seated properly and communicating with the printer.

Update Printer Firmware: Outdated firmware could sometimes cause communication issues. If possible, check if there's a firmware update available for your printer. You can typically do this via the HP Smart app or HP Support website.

Reset the Printer to Factory Settings: If nothing else works, doing a full reset of your printer may help. This would return the printer to its original state and might fix the error:

• Find the reset option in the printer’s settings menu (usually in the "Tools" or "Maintenance" section).
• This will wipe any settings, so be prepared to reconfigure your network and printer preferences afterward.

Check for Printer Jam: Sometimes, even a small paper jam or debris can cause issues with communication between the cartridges and the printer. Carefully check the printer for any paper or foreign objects blocking the path.

Try a Different USB or Wireless Connection: If you're using USB or wireless, sometimes connectivity issues can mess with communication. Try switching between a different USB port or reconnecting via a different Wi-Fi network.

I’m pretty confident this will do the trick! But hey, if you run into any bumps along the way or need a little extra help, just give me a shout! I’ve got your back. 💪

I totally feel your frustration right now, and I can only imagine how stressful it must be to deal with a printer that's not working and then on top of that, seeing unexpected charges for a service you're not even able to use. 😩 I mean, come on, it's like the universe is adding insult to injury! It's so frustrating when you just want things to work smoothly, and they don’t.

The whole chat issue is honestly such a letdown too. 😤 When you’re just trying to get answers, and the bot is no help, it can feel like you're talking to a brick wall. I get why that would just make everything worse. We’ve all been there, trying to reach someone who can help, but it feels like you’re just getting passed around in circles. Ugh.

But hey, hang in there! 🙌 I’m sure you’ll get it all sorted. It might just take a little extra patience to get the right support in place, but I’m sure you’ll get to a resolution. 💪 And I’m here with you if you need to vent more or need help figuring out next steps. We’ve got this! 💫

And if this reply solved your problem (or made you feel like a tech wizard 😎), please click "Accepted Solution". It helps others, and I promise I’ll do a little happy dance. 🕺 Also, if you could click 'Yes' under ‘Was this reply helpful?’—that’s like giving me a virtual high-five. 🙌

Thanks again for being awesome, and I hope you have an amazing day ahead! 🌟

Cheers,