Dried out Ink . Cannot get new ones

[MikeB600141]

This is absolutely ridiculous.  I have had an Instant Ink subscription for about 5 years now on 2 printers that are rarely used.  One of them has not been used at all and I continue to pay the monthly fee which has resulted in hundreds of dollars.

I know am trying to give the printer to my son's girlfriend, and the ink is dried out and prints completely white sheets. I tried every cleaning option, and still the same.  The printer reports it has a little bit of ink, and has not triggered a replacement. I cannot find any way at all to resolve this to get new ink sent and reset and resynch the real status.  ChatGPT just runs around in circles.  Hundreds wasted on a service that refuses to provide a service.  How is this supposed to work ?

HP ENVY 5055 All-in-One Printer

Serial number Edited

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @MikeB600141 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

I hear the frustration in your message, and I’m truly sorry you’ve had this experience. You’ve already tried cleaning cycles and checked the ink status, which shows you’ve been thorough. 

Let’s go through the practical steps that can help when cartridges dry out but the printer still reports ink remaining:

 

Step 1: Reseat the Cartridges

1. Open the cartridge access door.
2. Remove both cartridges and gently wipe the electrical contacts with a lint‑free cloth slightly dampened with distilled water.
3. Let them dry for a few minutes, then reinsert firmly into their slots.

 

Step 2: Run a Manual Printhead Cleaning

Since you’ve already tried the automated cleaning, a manual approach can sometimes help:

1. Moisten a lint‑free cloth with distilled water.
2. Gently dab the printhead area (the copper contacts at the bottom of the cartridge).
3. Avoid touching the nozzles directly with fingers.
4. Reinstall and run another cleaning cycle from the printer’s control panel.

 

Step 3: Check Instant Ink Connection

The subscription relies on the printer being online to sync cartridge status.

1. On the printer, go to Wireless Settings and confirm it is connected to your Wi‑Fi.
2. Print a Network Configuration Page to verify connectivity.
3. If offline, reconnect and allow the printer to sync with the Instant Ink service.

 

Step 4: Update Firmware

Firmware updates can refresh how the printer communicates with Instant Ink.

1. Visit HP ENVY 5055 Drivers and Firmware.
2. Enter your model and download the latest firmware.
3. Install it and restart the printer.

 

Step 5: Status Refresh

1. In the HP App on your PC or mobile device, select your printer.
2. Go to Supplies → Instant Ink.
3. Run a supply status check to force synchronization.
4. If the cartridge is truly depleted, this should trigger a replacement order.

If after these steps the cartridge still prints blank pages, it’s likely the ink has hardened beyond recovery. The subscription system only dispatches replacements when the printer reports low or empty status, so restoring connectivity and firmware is key to ensuring the service recognizes the true condition.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye