Does instant ink replace dried cartridges?

[GJ24]

After about 12 months since I bought my HP ENVY 6055 printer, the free black ink cartridge that came with it has dried out. I think I only printed about 10-20 pages before it dried out.

I'm now considering subscribing to the HP Instant Ink plan of 10 pages per month but I'm worried that since I rarely print (I print around 10-20 pages a year) the HP Instant Ink cartridge that will be sent to me will dry out. Since HP Instant Ink sends ink when it detects the cartridges are low on ink, I'm concerned that I wont be able to get a replacement cartridge if they are dry but detected as being full.

In the case that ink dries out after a year on an HP Instant Ink plan, is there a way to request a free cartridge replacement even if the ink cartridge is detected as not being low or empty?

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@GJ24 

Welcome to the HP User Community.

Sure, Ink is supplied during the course of the subscription.

Instant Ink Print-by-Page plans are structured for those who print regularly and those who are willing and able to meet the requirements of the service.

That said, if you only print 10-20 pages a year, it might not be worth the effort, the terms of the contract, the requirement that the printer be connected to the Internet periodically to monitor the service  - and the ruined ink that will indeed dry out when the printer is not used at least once of week or so.

Yes, you can / could request ink to replace the ruined cartridge (if that happens) - this type of request might be outside of the normal process where the printer notifies the service and ink is sent when it is determined ink is low and in need of a shipment.

What if?

• You think you will print something
• The printer must have been switched on ahead of time and and connected to the Internet so the service can check the printer status
• You test the printer to see if it will print
• If it won't print, sign into your Instant Ink account > Connect to Instant Ink Support > request help
• Assuming the request is granted, wait several days to more than a week to receive a new shipment
• If anything goes wrong, if anything is delayed > Possible frustration, anger, hair pulling.

Still want it?

Contact information and other help below...

Things that are Instant Ink

Instant Ink >> Details / How-to / Articles / Contact Information

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Start here:  Get HP Instant Ink Support

Sample Sections

• Your ink
• Your HP Instant Ink account
• Your printer connections

And / Or

At the bottom of the Support webpage

Documents > Enrolling, Solve Problems, Manage your account, Manage your ink or toner

Examples

Instant Ink Support > Solve Problems

HP Instant Ink - Manage your account

Sample Sections

• Enrollment Information
• Solve Problems
• Questions about Ink or Toner

Manage your Account

Including:

Change your payment information

Change to PayPal

Apply a prepaid card

Sign into your account

Review your bill

Change plans

Change or verify your shipping address

Change your email address

About rollover pages

About page counts

About additional pages

Move your service to another country/region

Cancel your account

Recycle your cartridges

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Instant Ink Support >> HP Instant Ink Support   

NOTE >> Select Your Region // Hours as listed at the site.

Instant Ink - Chat

Instant Ink Support Website – Read…

HP Instant Ink - Support, Information, Enroll, FAQ, Terms of Service / Contract

Not your home site?  Click the Flag to change to your region.

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Examples of the Terms of Service Contract for various regions

NOTE:  Contract includes contact information

 Instant Ink - Terms of Service - USA

 Instant Ink – Terms of Service - UK

 TERMINI DI SERVIZIO DI HP INSTANT INK - Italy 

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[GJ24]

Thanks for all the info. It's good to know I can still replace it if it dries out. Even though it's a hassle, paying for the 10 page instant ink would be cheaper since I can pay $12/year for the cheapest plan vs having to pay $30 a year to replace the dried ink.

I think I can just print 1 page a week and then keep reusing the same sheet of paper to print over it and that way not waste paper.

[Dragon-Fur]

@GJ24 

You are welcome.

Yes, testing once a week is a good idea, I think.

Reusing paper should work as long as you don't print very much content on the test paper and the used paper does not deposit tiny bits of "whatever" inside the printer next time you use it.

Leave the printer switched on, too.

Not only does this help keep the printer connected to the Instant Ink service, it also provides a way for the printer to perhaps protect itself by running periodic self maintenance.

Good Luck.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

Click Helpful = Yes to say Thank You

Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"

[GJ24]

I see, I didn't know leaving the printer on helped due to self maintenance. Maybe that's part of why my ink dried up. Thanks again!