Printer Stuck in Initialization (Don't have setup cartridges & it won't allow Instant Ink)

[LookPonies]

Hi, I've got a bit of a catch-22 here...

My OfficeJet Pro 6968 was previously used with Instant Ink and has been reset to "Out of Box" at some point, so it starts the initialization process as if new. The problem here is that I don't have the setup cartridges, so when there are no ink cartridges installed I get the "Use the cartridges that came with the printer" error message.

What I do have is the set of all 4 Instant Ink cartridges last used in the printer (they are not empty and have been properly stored so as not to dry out) and one unused, factory-sealed black Instant Ink cartridge. When I install the 4 used Instant Ink cartridges, I get the error message, "Cartridge cannot be used until printer is enrolled in HP Instant Ink." I am ready and willing to do so, but how do I do that if I can't get past either of these error screens in order to print the claim code to add the printer to my account??

I also have a generic/compatible black cartridge which I bought wanting to see if I could at least get it to print in black only. The printer accepts it just fine, but will still not initialize or print because the color Instant Ink cartridges trigger the I.I. error, but removing them brings up the "damaged or missing" error.

What do I do? Is there a way to bypass the setup cartridges, or to set up and print with only black somehow, or another way to get my claim code so I can enroll in Instant Ink? I simply can't afford to purchase a whole new set of non-Instant Ink HP cartridges, nor do I think I should have to, just to setup this printer.

[atharva_gp]

@LookPonies,

Thank you for reaching out to the HP Support community!

There is a way to over-ride the error about using the ink cartridges but it cannot be done with the instant ink cartridges. It requires regular cartridges.

If we use the Instant Ink cartridges to override the error, you will end up getting the same error "Cartridge cannot be used until printer is enrolled in HP Instant Ink"

I think this issue needs some additional technical assistance that can be better provided through one-on-one support.

I request you to contact our HP Support team for additional help.

Click on this Link to contact HP.