Printer displayed error message to use ink cartridges I need to be enrolled in HP Ink? Member for 5y

[Deskjet8020_mb]

HP office jet printer is outputting gibberish

[Sneha_01]

Hi @Deskjet8020_mb 

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It sounds like you're dealing with two separate issues on your HP OfficeJet printer:

Error Message About HP Instant Ink Enrollment: This could be related to the printer trying to use HP Instant Ink cartridges, but the account setup or enrollment is causing the issue.

Printer Outputting Gibberish: This typically points to a communication issue between the printer and the computer, a problem with the printer’s firmware, or a software/driver conflict.

Let’s go through some steps to troubleshoot both problems:1. Fixing the "Ink Cartridges Enrollment" Issue (HP Instant Ink)

If your printer is showing a message asking you to enroll in HP Instant Ink to use ink cartridges, it typically means one of the following:

• Your printer is registered under HP Instant Ink but the enrollment hasn’t been fully processed.
• You're trying to use Instant Ink cartridges without an active or valid Instant Ink account.

Steps to Resolve:

Check Your HP Instant Ink Account:

• Visit the HP Instant Ink website and sign in to check your account status.
• If you don't have an active Instant Ink subscription, you can sign up and link your printer to your account. If you’ve been enrolled previously, check if there are any issues with your billing or account.
• Ensure your printer is enrolled in HP Instant Ink, and if necessary, link it to your account under Account Settings > Printers.

Check Cartridge Type:

• Ensure you're using HP Instant Ink cartridges that are compatible with your printer. These will often have a specific Instant Ink logo or label. Regular cartridges won't work if the printer is enrolled in Instant Ink.
• If the printer is trying to use Instant Ink cartridges, and you don’t want to use the service, you can switch to non-Instant Ink compatible cartridges (but this might require some changes in the printer settings or re-enrollment).

Remove and Reinstall Cartridges:

• Remove the ink cartridges, wait for a minute, and then reinsert them carefully. Ensure the cartridges are seated correctly.
• Restart your printer and check if the message goes away.

Re-Enroll in HP Instant Ink (if needed):

• To get back on track with HP Instant Ink, you can log in to the printer’s web interface (using the printer’s IP address) and follow the steps to enroll or re-enroll in Instant Ink.

2. Fixing the "Printer Outputting Gibberish" Issue

When the printer is outputting gibberish (random characters or unreadable text), it’s often a result of communication issues between the printer and the computer, incorrect print settings, or a corrupted print job. Let's troubleshoot this:

Troubleshooting Steps:

Check Printer Connection:

• If you're printing wirelessly, make sure the printer and the computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
• If you’re using a USB connection, ensure the cable is firmly plugged into both the printer and the computer, and try a different USB port on your computer.

Clear Print Queue:

• If there’s a print job stuck in the queue, it could cause the printer to print gibberish.
• Go to Devices and Printers on your computer, find your printer, right-click on it, and select See what's printing.
• Cancel all pending print jobs and try printing again.

Reinstall Printer Drivers:

• Sometimes, outdated or corrupted printer drivers can cause printing issues.
  • Go to Device Manager (on Windows) or System Preferences (on macOS), find your printer, and uninstall the driver.
  • Download and install the latest printer drivers from the HP website or use the HP Smart app to reinstall the printer.

Reset the Printer:

• Perform a hard reset of the printer. Turn off the printer, unplug it from the power source, wait for about 30 seconds, and then plug it back in and power it on.

Check Print Settings:

• Make sure you have the correct settings selected in the print dialog box on your computer, such as the correct paper size and type.
• If you have a PDF file or image file, try printing from a different application (e.g., open the file in a different PDF viewer) to see if the issue is related to the specific program.

Update Firmware:

• Make sure your printer’s firmware is up to date. You can usually check for firmware updates through the HP Smart app or by accessing the printer settings on the printer’s web interface.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support

[Sneha_01]

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