Terrible terms of use for HP printer

[Alex1299]

Hello HP Community,

I'm extremely disappointed with my recent experience using an HP printer. Despite disabling the "cartridge protection" feature, my printer refuses to work with refilled or compatible cartridges. HP Smart indicates that the issue is tied to my account being enrolled in the HP+ program—yet there’s no way to complete the initial setup without accepting the HP+ terms in the first place. That’s a forced enrollment, not a choice.

To make matters worse, the printer includes a USB-A port, but it’s essentially useless. Even installing drivers offline requires a Wi-Fi connection, so the USB cable isn’t a viable alternative. What purpose does the USB port serve if the printer can't operate without internet connectivity?

Nowhere during the purchase process was it clearly explained that this printer would only function with HP Instant Ink subscriptions and under the HP+ plan restrictions. It feels intentionally misleading. HP+ ties the printer to your account and limits functionality unless you agree to their ink subscription model-based not on ink usage, but on the number of pages printed.

This kind of customer lock-in is incredibly frustrating and made me feel anxious and powerless as a customer. To top it off, my warranty has expired, and HP now wants to charge a subscription fee just to speak with a support representative about this.

This is not how a respected company should treat its customers. I urge HP to be more transparent with product limitations and rethink these restrictive business practices.

Thank you for your attention.

[resistencia]

Hi @Alex1299 

the printer can work without being subscribed to HP+ , but these printers only work with original HP cartridges (serie e).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about HP+ Printers | HP® Official Site

[Alex1299]

Hello @Resistencia

That’s the known point.

The issue is that I can't refill the original HP cartridge with my own ink and continue using it the same way as I would with a brand-new HP cartridge. The HP+ plan essentially forces me to either buy original HP cartridges or subscribe to Instant Ink, instead of giving me, the customer, the freedom to choose. I should be able to make my printer print under any condition.

Another issue: the original HP cartridges seem to be limited by page count rather than the actual ink volume. After receiving a notification in the HP Smart App that said there was no ink left, I still managed to print over 20 color pages, including a printer status report with black text, which clearly shows there was still ink in the cartridge.

From this perspective, HP is restricting my control over a product I purchased. Yes, I admit it was my mistake not reading every piece of fine print or documentation before buying the printer - but that doesn’t solve the core issue: the printer only works over WiFi with HP+ plan, even though it's carrying a USB-A output port and only accepts original HP cartridges or an Instant Ink subscription.

[resistencia]

original HP+ printer cartridges cannot be refilled, if you wish to use the USB port you must purchase original cartridges separately and leave the HP+ plan.

If you wanted more freedom, you should buy the printers with the letter e at the end, the normal ones, and those cost more money.

Now you have that one, and there is no way for you to refill the cartridges, sorry but these are HP+ printers.