Removing cartridge protection does not work

keigasen · ‎10-22-2026

Hi - I am having trouble using non-HP ink cartridges for my Envy Inspire 7221.Removing cartridge protection does not work - I need an older version of the firmware to allow use of non-HP ink - please could you provide me with older firmware or a link to it, thank you.

Dragon-Fur · ‎10-22-2026

@keigasen

Welcome to the HP Community --

@keigasen wrote:
Hi - I am having trouble using non-HP ink cartridges for my Envy Inspire 7221.Removing cartridge protection does not work - I need an older version of the firmware to allow use of non-HP ink - please could you provide me with older firmware or a link to it, thank you.

Product Name

HP ENVY Inspire 7221 All-in-One Printer

Dynamic security

Dynamic security enabled printer

Unfortunately, Cartridge Protection was never going to work to remove the requirement that the printer use HP-Chipped ink cartridges.

There is no legal way to bypass the printer's need for HP Chipped cartridges.

-- What? --

I'm not sure how this persistent rumor has survived --

Cartridge Protection is not -- and has never been -- a method to bypass the printer's need for HP Chipped ink.
Cartridge Protection is meant to be used to help prevent theft of valuable ink cartridges by locking those installed cartridges to a particular printer or fleet of same-model printers.

---------------

Open your Browser > Type / enter the Printer IP address into URL / Address bar

Tab Settings > Supplies > Supply Settings > Cartridge Protection = OFF or ON

OR

Alternate format EWS - Select InkJet Printers and select Laser Printers

Open your Browser > Type / enter the Printer IP address into URL / Address bar

Section Supplies > tab Supply Settings > Cartridge Protection = OFF or ON

EWS_9135_Home_Supplies_6

The Cartridge Protection feature permanently protects cartridges for use in only one fleet of products or product to help prevent theft.

If, after cartridges have been protected, they are moved to a device outside the fleet (fleet based) or to a different printer (printer based), these cartridges will be identified as protected and will have to be replaced to continue printing.

Note:

When you turn on this feature, all cartridges installed in the printer will be protected. However, if you turn off this feature again, these cartridges will remain protected. Only cartridges installed afterwards will not have cartridge protection enabled.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Which Ink Can be Used in the Printer?

HP Ink - Learn About Supplies

and

How ink is used

-- READ --

HP Printers - Dynamic Security Enabled Printers

and

HP ink cartridge issues including, incompatible, missing and not recognized errors

Excerpted

Non-HP chip or Circuitry Detected error

The indicated cartridges have been blocked by the printer firmware because they contain a non-HP chip or non-HP circuitry. This printer is intended to work only with new or reused cartridges that have new or reused HP chips or circuitry.

Replace the indicated cartridges to continue printing. For more information, go to www.hp.com/learn/ds.

Section Non-HP chip or Circuitry Detected error

Note:

HP ENVY Inspire 7200 and 7900 series printers: Use of non-HP cartridges with modified or non-HP electronic circuitry might cause the printer to reject Original HP cartridges and reused, remanufactured, and Refilled cartridges that reuse HP electronic circuitry. From the printer control panel, go to Setup > Tools > Restore Defaults to continue printing.

===================================

Message Content References

-- Take advantage of the extensive HP Video collection --

↓↓↓↓↓↓↓

Technology Tips - Video Gallery from our HP Expert greenturtle

Technology Tips– YouTube Video Help for Printers

HP Support Official Channel – HP Support Video Gallery

=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

References / Resources

HP Printer Home Page - References and Resources

Learn about your Printer - Solve Problems

“Things that are your printer”

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

NOTE: Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories: Warranty Check, Alerts, Troubleshooting, Ink & Paper, HP Software & Drivers / Firmware Updates, Setup & User Guides, Product Specifications, Account & Registration, Warranty & Repair

Open

Product Home - Printers

Enter the device type and model name of your HP product

OR

Thank you for participating in the HP Community --

Real people who own, use, and support HP devices.

Click Yes to say Thank You !

Answered / Helpful to resolve , Click Post "Accept as Solution"

Dragon-Fur

keigasen · ‎10-22-2026

Hello,

I am using an HP 7221 printer with HP 804 remanufactured ink cartridges.

I am experiencing an issue with the black ink cartridge. Whenever I install it, the printer immediately displays an error stating that it cannot communicate with the cartridge.

Here are the details:

The color cartridge works normally.
The black cartridge is not recognized.
I have tried multiple black cartridges, including a newly purchased remanufactured cartridge and my previous cartridge.
I have cleaned the cartridge contacts, reinstalled the cartridges, and restarted the printer, but the issue persists.
The error appears immediately after installing the black cartridge, before printing begins.

I suspect that the issue may be related to cartridge chip compatibility, firmware restrictions, or the printer’s cartridge contacts.

My current firmware version is 002.2621A.

I would like to know:

Is it possible to downgrade the firmware to an earlier version?
Where can I download an official older firmware version compatible with my printer?
Does this printer support firmware rollback or recovery?
Could a firmware update cause communication problems with remanufactured cartridges?

I would appreciate any assistance with resolving this issue.

Thank you.

keigasen · ‎10-23-2026