OfficeJet Pro 8718 will not relinquish HP Instant Ink

[Revox]

Browsing the web interface of my OfficeJet 8718 I find that it still thinks it is part of HP Instant Ink (I no longer subscribe) This means that I can't turn off auto firmware updates.

Anybody know a workaround?

I have logged in to the HP portal and removed the printer that was listed.

[NonSequitur777]

@Revox,

Welcome to our HP Community forum!

Your printer is stuck in "Instant Ink Lockout Mode" because it hasn't communicated its cancellation status directly with HP's cloud servers. Simply deleting the printer from your online dashboard breaks the link, leaving the hardware permanently stranded thinking it is still under subscription.

Until the printer checks in, so to speak, to confirm it has been legally unlinked, its internal firmware retains its corporate safety lock, which disables control panel options like turning off auto-updates.

The Workaround Checklist:

To regain full manual control of your OfficeJet Pro 8718, apply these three targeted adjustments to force the firmware out of its locked state:

1. Force a "Web Services" Resync (The Primary Fix):

The printer needs to understand it is free from the Instant Ink network. Even if it is removed from your portal dashboard, forcing a communication reset on the hardware clears the loop:

• On the printer's physical touchscreen panel, swipe down to open the dashboard and tap the Web Services icon (looks like a cloud or printer with an arrow).
• Navigate to settings and select Remove Web Services or Turn Off Web Services.
• Restart the printer completely (leave it unplugged for 60 seconds).
• Turn it back on, navigate back to Web Services, and select Enable / Re-enable. Let it print out the info page. This cloud check-in will read the "Cancelled/Removed" flag from your HP profile and release the local firmware lock.

2. Perform a Hard Hardware Flush:

If the menu remains grayed out, your printer's NVRAM cache is storing a phantom Instant Ink token. You can flush this memory using a complete power cycle:

• While the printer is completely powered ON, remove all ink cartridges from the internal tray.
• Without turning it off from the front button, yank the power cord directly out of the back of the printer and pull the plug from the wall.
• Unplug any Ethernet or USB cables.
• Press and hold the physical power button on the dead printer for 30 continuous seconds to drain any residual motherboard capacitors.
• Let the machine sit cold for 5–10 minutes.
• Plug the power directly back into a wall outlet, load regular, non-subscription retail HP cartridges, and verify if the option has unlocked.

3. Burn the Bridge: Network Domain Blocking:

If the cloud lock remains permanently frozen into your firmware and you cannot adjust the setting via the touchscreen, you can block the printer from communicating with HP at your router level:

• Log into your home internet router's administration page.
• Navigate to Access Control, Parental Controls, or URL Filtering.
• Add a block rule for your printer’s specific local IP address targeting these exact update domains:
  • fwupdate.hp.com
  • hpeprint.com
• Alternative: Access your printer's wireless network settings on its screen, enter the network profile manually, and change the Default Gateway address to a fake sequence (e.g., changing the final digits from .1 to .254). The printer will print perfectly over your local Wi-Fi network, but it will be permanently blind to the outside world, making background auto-updates impossible.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777