HP Envy 6400 won't disable cartridge protection

[bluemorpho2014]

I purchased a refurbished ink cartridge for my HP Envy 6400 and am getting an error regarding the cartridge compatibility. I went to the printer EWS to disable the cartridge protection and it was already "off". How can I get my printer to recognize the new cartridges? I've unplugged the printer a few times already in an attempt to reset it. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Raj_05]

Hi @bluemorpho2014,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

If your HP Envy 6400 won't recognize a refurbished cartridge even though cartridge protection is disabled, follow these steps to troubleshoot.

Verify Cartridge Compatibility

Ensure that the refurbished cartridge is compatible with your HP Envy 6400. Refurbished or third-party cartridges must be specifically designed for your printer model.

Perform a Hard Reset

1. Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power source.
2. Wait for 2-3 minutes.
3. Plug it back in and turn it on.

Clean the Cartridge Contacts

Sometimes dirt or debris can cause compatibility errors.

1. Remove the cartridge from the printer.
2. Gently clean the gold contacts on the cartridge with a lint-free cloth lightly moistened with distilled water or isopropyl alcohol.
3. Let the cartridge dry completely before reinserting it.

Reset the Printer to Factory Defaults

1. Access the Setup Menu from the printer’s control panel.
2. Navigate to Settings > Printer Maintenance > Restore Defaults.
3. Confirm the reset and reconnect the printer to your network.

Update Printer Firmware

An outdated firmware version may block third-party cartridges.

1. Download and install the latest firmware from the HP support website.
2. If using HP Smart, it may prompt you for a firmware update automatically.

Bypass HP Instant Ink Restrictions

If you were previously enrolled in HP Instant Ink:

• Cancel the subscription and wait for confirmation.
• Replace all cartridges with new non-Instant Ink ones, as Instant Ink cartridges deactivate when the subscription ends.

Try Another Refurbished Cartridge

If the above steps fail, the refurbished cartridge might be defective or incompatible. Test with a different cartridge (another refurbished or an original HP cartridge) to rule out hardware issues.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4

HP Support