Instant Ink Cartridge Drama

[ekg917]

I am on the Instant Ink plan.  I haven't had a shipment since September.   When I got it, I tried putting the ink into my printer in my classroom which uses the same size cartridge, and it promptly told me I couldn't do that - that they're only usable with my home printer that's on the Instant Ink program (which is stupid because it shouldn't matter which printer I'm printing on as long as I stay within my subscription numbers, but whatever).  Anyway, I brought it home and kept it in the box and then eventually swapped them out when the ink got low, but I never got rid of the old cartridges, and I've been carefully rationing my printing (even though I'm paying for 300 pages a month), trying to make my ink last, but no new shipment is forthcoming.  Meanwhile, I started getting an error message every single time I printed something.  Right after it printed, the printer would tell me to remove and reinstall the black ink cartridge.  I did so but it kept happening.  I did all of the cartridge cleaning steps - it didn't help.  Eventually, I reinstalled my mostly-used old cartridge.  It still didn't help.  Today, after coming on the site, I saw that it said it couldn't connect to see how much COLOR ink I had (totally different cartridge).  So I removed THAT cartridge and reinstalled the old, mostly-used cartridge.  Then it updated to say that I should have a new cartridge available, so it's not going to ship me any more ink!!  So now I have two cartridges that are mostly used, if I put the other one back, the printer glitches, and I can't even ask for more ink.  Meanwhile, I've got a big project for my class that I really need to be able to print in the next few days, and I can't rely on my stupid printer to work for me.  And before you say - you're not an instant ink subscriber.... yes, I am.  I had to log into my old HP account for my user ID, which I haven't used in years (I think 2015 was my last post), in order to post this because I used my work e-mail when I originally posted, because the issue was with a printer I'd bought for my classroom.  Now I'm having an issue with my home printer, for which I have a completely separate log-in which uses the same user ID on the Instant Ink site, but demands a different one on the forums because my user id is already in use (BY ME!!).  Argh!

[A4Apollo]

Hey there! @ekg917, Thanks for stopping by the HP Support Forums!

I understand you are out of ink and you are in need of the replacement ink cartridges. Also, you are getting remove and reinstall the ink cartridge error on the printer.

Is your printer connected to the internet all the time?

Have you registered in the instant ink services?

Have you tried checking with regular ink cartridges? Does the issue persist?

Please share the printer model and operating system you are running on the PC to assist you better.

Also, I understand your concern and situation you are into. So don't worry I'll try to help you out.

Replace low, empty or faulty ink cartridges on the printer.

Clean the ink cartridge contacts.

Your Instant Ink account page has data on past deliveries and estimated shipments.  It also helps you understanding what state your cartridges are in based on HP’s data.  Any issues will be shown with steps to fix.  Please check your account page to see the latest cartridge information by signing into your account at “instantink.com”. 

If the printer is not connected to the internet all the time the ink status won't get updated and you will have a delay in the ink shipment.

If you have not received the replacement ink cartridges yet. Please share out few details in a private message, so I can check your account details and initiate an order to ship you the replacement ink

cartridges.

Printer Model Name

Serial Number of the printer

Instant ink Email Address

Instant Ink Account Number

Address to ship the cartridge

Do you need black or colour ink cartridges?

Hope to hear from you soon!

Take Care! 🙂

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[ekg917]

Is your printer connected to the internet all the time?   Yes

Have you registered in the instant ink services?  Yes

Have you tried checking with regular ink cartridges? Does the issue persist?  No, I haven't.  I'm not going out and buying what I'm already paying $10 a month for.  

Please share the printer model and operating system you are running on the PC to assist you better.  Printer is HP OfficeJet 3833, and I'm running Windows 10 Home.

Also, I understand your concern and situation you are into. So don't worry I'll try to help you out.  Great!

Replace low, empty or faulty ink cartridges on the printer.  I did that as best I could with what I have available.

Clean the ink cartridge contacts.  I did that.  

Your Instant Ink account page has data on past deliveries and estimated shipments.  It also helps you understanding what state your cartridges are in based on HP’s data.  Any issues will be shown with steps to fix.  Please check your account page to see the latest cartridge information by signing into your account at “instantink.com”. 

I also did that.  This is how I got the message that I should have available ink cartridges.  

If the printer is not connected to the internet all the time the ink status won't get updated and you will have a delay in the ink shipment.

The only time the printer isn't connected is when the wifi passes out for a moment, which doesn't happen any more often here than anywhere else. 

If you have not received the replacement ink cartridges yet. Please share out few details in a private message, so I can check your account details and initiate an order to ship you the replacement ink

cartridges.

 I'll send you a PM with that information.  

Thanks!