HP's terms say it remotely disables Instant Ink cartridges when the service ends. After that, any HP printer takes Original HP cartridges. Printers without HP+ can also take compatible third-party cartridges, subject to HP's dynamic security. HP+ printers take Original HP only.
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What HP's terms say
- HP's Instant Ink terms say subscription cartridges will be disabled after you cancel the service.[1]
- When the service is cancelled for any reason, HP says it remotely disables the subscription cartridges. You then need HP original cartridges, or, on printers without HP+, third-party cartridges compatible with your printer.[1]
- Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current monthly billing cycle, per the terms.[1]
- The terms say a setup (in-box) cartridge converted to Instant Ink may go back to normal use if it is not used up.[1] Check your own printer's ink status after the cycle ends.
What owners report
- In February 2025 a DeskJet 4100 series owner said the printer stopped printing after they cancelled Instant Ink.[2]
- In May 2025 an HP employee replied to a worried owner that cancelling does not lock the printer forever.[3]
The HP+ catch
- HP says HP+ printers need an HP account, an internet connection and Original HP ink for the life of the printer, including after any Instant Ink trial ends.[4]
- So on an HP+ printer, cancelling Instant Ink means buying Original HP cartridges. Third-party cartridges are not an option.[1][4]
Firmware updates
- HP says Instant Ink printers must accept automatic firmware updates, and that dynamic security changes arrive through those updates.[5]
- Once you have left Instant Ink, you can choose how updates are handled on many models. See our verified guide to HP update settings.[5] Turning updates off does not undo a block that already happened.
What to do before you cancel
- Have replacement cartridges ready before the billing cycle ends: Original HP, or on a non-HP+ printer, compatible cartridges for your model.[1]
- Check whether your printer has HP+ turned on. HP marks HP+ eligible models with an 'e' in the name, but HP+ is only active if it was chosen at setup.[4]
What we could not verify
- How quickly cartridges stop after the billing cycle ends in practice (HP's terms give no exact time).
- Whether a partly used converted setup cartridge always returns to normal use.
- Whether a given third-party cartridge works after cancelling. That depends on the printer; see its page.
Know something we missed? Dated sources beat opinions. Corrections go on the page with a date.
Related guide
HP printer pages
- HP Color LaserJet Pro M255dw Unknown
- HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M283fdw Unknown
- HP DeskJet 2755e Unknown
- HP DeskJet 4155e Unknown
- HP ENVY 6032 / 6032e Unknown
- HP ENVY Inspire 7955e Unknown
- HP LaserJet M209dw / M209dwe Unknown
- HP LaserJet Pro 4001 Blocked
- HP LaserJet Pro M404dn Unknown
- HP LaserJet Pro MFP 4101fdw Blocked
- HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 Unknown
- HP OfficeJet Pro 7720 Blocked
- HP OfficeJet Pro 8025 Blocked
- HP OfficeJet Pro 8710 Blocked
- HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e Blocked
- HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e Blocked
- HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e Unknown
Get an email when your printer's status changes
One short email when a firmware update blocks cartridges, or a block gets lifted. No spam, no daily digest.
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Sources
- HP Instant Ink terms of service (last updated April 15, 2025) (published Apr 15, 2025)
- HP Support Community: printer bricked because I cancelled my Instant Ink (published Feb 1, 2025)
- HP Support Community: if I cancel the Instant Ink plan, will my printer be locked? (published May 7, 2025)
- HP+ frequently asked questions (read Oct 21, 2026)
- HP: Dynamic security enabled printers (PDF) (read Oct 21, 2026)