Printer can not complete setup after a reset

[BrownSamurai]

After a hard reset of the printer, the printer can now not complete reinitialization because (I believe) the cartridges are in the HP Instant Ink program.   I get the warning "cartridge can not be used until printer is enrolled in HP Instant Ink" then it hangs at the alignment test (next step in the setup).   I can't configure it for the network (no menus available) which is what searches return from HP support.

The printer is out of support so I won't get any help from HP and I can't find my original cartridges that came with the printer.  This is a serious design flaw [ediited].

Is there any  other solution short of buying non-contract ink ($60 for knock off or $150 for HP Authentic) or ditching HP/the Instant Ink service and buying a different printer?

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @BrownSamurai,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

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

I’m sorry to hear about the frustration you’re experiencing. I understand how concerning it can be when the printer cannot complete the setup process.

From the message you are seeing, “cartridge cannot be used until printer is enrolled in HP Instant Ink”, this typically occurs when the cartridges installed in the printer are HP Instant Ink cartridges. These cartridges are part of the Instant Ink subscription program and will only work while the printer is actively enrolled in an Instant Ink plan and connected to the internet.

If the Instant Ink subscription has been cancelled or the printer is no longer enrolled, the Instant Ink cartridges will stop functioning, even if there is still ink remaining in them.

To resolve this situation, you have a couple of options:
 

Option 1: Re-enroll the printer in HP Instant Ink
If the subscription is still active or you choose to re-enroll the printer, once the printer connects to the internet and completes enrollment, the Instant Ink cartridges should begin working again.
 

Option 2: Replace the Instant Ink cartridges with standard HP cartridges
If you no longer wish to use Instant Ink, the Instant Ink cartridges will need to be replaced with regular HP ink cartridges designed for your printer model. Standard cartridges are not tied to the subscription service and will allow the printer to complete initialization and operate normally.

To help further, could you please confirm:

• Have you already cancelled the Instant Ink subscription?
• What is the exact model of your HP printer?

Once we have this information, we can guide you with the correct cartridge type and any additional steps that may help you complete the printer setup.

We appreciate your patience and will do our best to assist you.

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

Regards,

VikramTheGreat

[BrownSamurai]

Yes, I am still enrolled - at least for this month.  I was online with Instant Ink support for a number of hours who where unable to resolve the issue.  Their final solution is to send me additional ink, which will arrive in 5 - 7 days, and "see what happens". 

I was able to get the printer online once the support session ended and it is now connected to HP Cloud Connection - the problem still persists.  

The printer is an Officejet Pro 9015.

[BrownSamurai · Accepted solution]

Continuing to self-troubleshoot and several reconnection attempts through HP Instant Ink finally got the printer online.  Without this hiccup I wouldn't have noticed my subscription has nearly doubled since joining it.

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @BrownSamurai,

Thank you for the update, and we're glad to hear that you were able to reconnect your printer and get it back online.

Regarding the HP Instant Ink subscription, the pricing adjustments you noticed are typically part of standard plan updates over time. From time to time, subscription plans may be revised to reflect service improvements, operational costs, and continued support for the program. These updates are part of the standard plan structure, and customers are usually notified ahead of time when such changes occur.

Please also remember that Instant Ink is a monthly subscription service based on the number of pages printed rather than the amount of ink used, and you always have the flexibility to change or downgrade your plan if your printing needs are lower.

If you would like, we can also review your current plan and help you switch to a lower page plan that may better match your usage.

If you need help with that, feel free to share your Instant Ink ID or the registered email address (in private) so we can check the account details and guide you further.

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

Regards,

VikramTheGreat

[BrownSamurai]

No, I resolved my issue.  Also, if you check - it was marked as resolved with the previous update.

Price has doubled since I started it and I print rarely and I believe I'm at the lowest level of the service.  Based on this experience and eye-opening pricing change (not to mention while support couldn't solve the issue, I was asked twice to buy additional services for the printer) I'm in the market for a new printer from a different manufacturer and will be discontinuing my HP Instant Ink service.

I've been using HP printing products since the late 80's.  Shame.

[Hawks_Eye]

Thank you for sharing your experience so openly. 

I understand the disappointment you’ve expressed regarding pricing changes and the support interactions you encountered. 

Your long history with HP products makes this feedback especially meaningful, and it’s received with appreciation for the time you’ve taken to articulate it.

Regards,

Hawks_Eye