HP Office Jet Pro 8020

[Bjeffrey]

We have been using this printer for 2 years and suddenly we are getting an error stating we cannot use the printer without an HP+ account logged in. 

We did not set this printer up with an HP+ account. 

We have tried to factory reset the printer, remove the HP Smart app, reboot both, then install the offline only driver for the printer.

We have used USB, Ethernet, and Wireless connections and now suddenly we cannot print.

When a print job is sent the printer immediately displays the "You must sign in with an HP+ account" error on the touch screen.

We even attempted to sign in with an account after creating a new HP+ account and then it said there was an error and it could not be added to our account.

I need HP+, auto ink ordering, whatever shut off and disabled. I need to be able to print at my business without being forced to use apps, sign ins, etc. 

How do I make it just print using a basic print driver? If this is some sudden change and I cannot print without an account, how do I request new printers from HP for making our current ones software locked?

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Bjeffrey,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

I understand your HP OfficeJet Pro 8020 suddenly requires an HP+ account to print even though it worked for two years without one. Let’s go through this carefully and clearly, because this situation is frustrating and the behavior you’re seeing has a specific cause.

Important clarification about HP+ and the OfficeJet Pro 8020
The HP OfficeJet Pro 8020 is not an HP+-only printer by design.
If HP+ is now being enforced on the printer screen, it means the printer has become digitally bound to HP+ on HP’s backend, usually due to a firmware or cloud registration change—not because of your local setup.

Why factory resets and offline drivers are not helping
A factory reset only clears local settings, not HP’s cloud entitlement flags.
Once a printer is marked as HP+ on HP’s servers, reinstalling drivers, using USB/Ethernet, or avoiding HP Smart cannot remove that binding.

Why the “basic driver only” approach no longer works
HP+ enforcement happens at the printer firmware level, not the computer.
Even if you use a basic or offline driver, the printer firmware itself blocks printing until HP+ authentication succeeds.

Why signing in with a new HP+ account failed
If HP+ activation fails during sign-in, it usually means:
– The printer is already partially bound to an HP+ account (possibly a ghost or failed registration), or
– There is an entitlement conflict on HP’s backend
This is not something you can fix locally.

Can HP+, Instant Ink, or account requirements be disabled?
No. Once a printer is HP+-locked, HP+ cannot be turned off, removed, or bypassed by the user.
This includes disabling auto-ink, app requirements, or sign-in enforcement.

This is not expected behavior for a 2-year-old non-HP+ setup
What you’re describing is not normal and is not caused by anything you did.
A printer that was previously operating without HP+ should not suddenly become unusable without an account.

I hope this helps.

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Best regards,