Printer will not work with HP ink after Subscription ended

[Pam1922]

My subscription ended 03/16/2025. I still have printer ink, but my printer will not print using this ink. What do I need to do to get my printer to work if I don't want to renew my subscription at this time?

[Max3Aj]

Hi @Pam1922, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

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

We see that you have canceled the instant ink subscription. You must remove Instant Ink cartridges and purchase Original HP Ink or Toner directly from the retailer of your choice to continue printing. Instant Ink cartridges only work in enrolled printers.

You may refer to this document - Instant Ink account management | HP® Support

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support 

[Manc25]

I have paid for the ink in the cartridge why should I have to buy another cartridge?  Is this something that HP do to punish us when we cancel our ink subscription?

[Hawks_Eye]

@Manc25 

 Max3Aj is away for now; however, I'm Hawks_Eye, and I'll be happy to help you out!

I understand why this feels unfair.

HP’s Instant Ink cartridges are designed to work only while the printer is enrolled in the subscription. Once the subscription ends, those cartridges stop functioning, even if they still contain ink.

When you enroll in HP Instant Ink, you pay a monthly fee to print a defined number of pages per month and not on how many ink cartridges you used.

HP Instant Ink is a subscription service that sends ink before you need it based on your printing volume and ink levels. 

You might not receive ink cartridges every month. If you print many pages, you might receive multiple ink cartridges in a month.

After your first shipment, Instant Ink cartridges are sent as needed (not monthly) based on your ink or toner usage. Keep your printer connected to Wi-Fi, so your printer can tell us to send replacement cartridges before you need them.

Instant Ink cartridges have extra ink or toner, so they last longer, and shipments may not be frequent. Check ink or toner levels on your printer screen or with the HP Smart app.

If you cancel your Instant Ink service, you can print with Instant Ink cartridges until the end of the billing cycle. 

At the end of the billing cycle, you receive your final bill and the Instant Ink cartridges stop working and should be returned to HP.

Please install store-bought HP original ink cartridge. 

Subscription cartridges or generic (non-hp) cartridges will not function in your printer now that the service is cancelled.

Hope this answers your question.

Regards,

Hawks_Eye

[Manc25]

Thanks for your reply which I understand.  However, there was plenty of ink in the cartridge that I had paid for which is now going to waste or landfill etc.  Surely HP could allow the ink to run out before we have to change to a new cartridge. 

Rant over and signing out.  

[Hawks_Eye]

@Manc25 

I hear concern; however, as mentioned earlier, HP Instant Ink is a subscription-based service where you pay a monthly fee based on the number of pages you print, rather than the amount of ink you use. 

While HP’s system is designed for convenience, it does mean that Instant Ink cartridges are tied to the subscription.

Please install store-bought HP original ink cartridge to resume printing.

Thanks,

Hawks_Eye