The surest way to avoid a lockout is a printer that is filled from bottles: there is no cartridge chip for a firmware update to reject. On cartridge printers it depends on the model, the maker's settings and the next firmware update.
- Printers that work
- 5 of 35 tracked
- Last checked
- Sources
- 12 here, more on each printer page
- Blocked (avoid)
- 8 printers
Checked on InkLockout
Third-party ink works (5)
Every printer on InkLockout with status Works, updated automatically. Each card says why third-party ink is safe; the printer page has the dated sources. Grouped by how the ink gets in, because we do not yet track which printers suit photo or office use.
Ink tank printers (bottle-fed) (4)
Canon PIXMA G6020 MegaTank
Why it is safe: Bottle-fed: no cartridge chip to block.
- Last checked
- Sources
- 3 on the printer page
Epson EcoTank ET-2800
Why it is safe: Bottle-fed: no cartridge chip to block.
- Last checked
- Sources
- 4 on the printer page
Epson EcoTank ET-2850
Why it is safe: Bottle-fed: no cartridge chip to block.
- Last checked
- Sources
- 3 on the printer page
Epson EcoTank ET-4850
Why it is safe: Bottle-fed: no cartridge chip to block.
- Last checked
- Sources
- 3 on the printer page
Inkjet cartridge printers (1)
Canon PIXMA TS3320
Why it is safe: Remanufactured cartridges print with ink-level detection off.
- Last checked
- Sources
- 5 on the printer page
Avoid: 8 printers on InkLockout are Blocked, where a named firmware update stopped third-party cartridges. See also the firmware list.
Refillable ink tank printers
- Epson says its cartridge printers are designed for Epson cartridges only, and that such restrictions can be avoided with cartridge-free EcoTank printers.[2]
- Epson also says some of its firmware updates may affect third-party ink in its cartridge printers.[2]
- Tank & Toner, a review site, says Epson EcoTank, Canon MegaTank and HP Smart Tank printers are bottle-fed: there is no chip in a bottle, so nothing for a firmware update to reject.[1]
- Brother's US store says the MFC-T780DW and MFC-T980DW INKvestment Tank printers are refilled from BTD180 ink bottles, and lists the MFC-T580DW for the same bottles. Brother says genuine BTD180 is the only ink it recommends.[3][4][5] Not yet tested on InkLockout. We found no source on third-party ink in these models.
- Not every INKvestment Tank model takes bottles. Brother's support pages describe INKvestment Tank LC404 cartridges with a chip on top, and say refilled or non-Brother cartridges may not be detected as replaced.[6]
- Makers still recommend their own ink and do not guarantee print quality with other supplies, Tank & Toner notes.[1]
The tank printers we have checked are listed above. Their pages cite Epson and Canon for the bottle numbers.
Using an HP printer without HP+
- HP says HP+ is chosen at setup on HP+ eligible ('e') printers, and you can skip it.[7]
- With HP+ on, HP says the printer needs an HP account, an internet connection and Original HP ink for the life of the printer, and HP+ cannot be switched off later.[7]
- Without HP+, HP cartridge printers still use dynamic security: HP says cartridges with a non-HP chip may work for a while, then stop, and that these changes arrive through online firmware updates.[8]
- HP says Instant Ink printers must accept automatic firmware updates.[8]
- Turning off automatic updates can only protect a setup that works now. It does not undo an update already installed.[8]
How to change HP update settings, model by model: Turn off HP firmware updates. After cancelling a subscription, see HP Instant Ink after cancelling.
Refills that keep the original chip
- HP says cartridges that reuse an original HP chip are not affected by dynamic security.[8]
- On its LaserJet Pro 4001dn store page, HP says a reused HP chip enables the use of reused, remanufactured and refilled cartridges.[9]
- This does not help on a printer with HP+ turned on, which HP says needs Original HP ink.[7]
- HP community experts tell owners to ask the ink seller whether a cartridge carries an HP chip before buying.[10]
- A reused chip is not a guarantee. A refill supplier answered an April 2026 question from an OfficeJet Pro 8035e owner whose refilled original HP 910 cartridges printed for about two weeks, then were rejected as 'used or counterfeit'.[11]
- On Canon cartridge printers such as the PIXMA TS3300 series, Canon says you can hold Stop for at least 5 seconds to turn off ink-level detection when the printer reports ink has run out, and keep printing. You lose ink-level readings.[12]
What we could not verify
- Whether third-party ink works in Brother's bottle-fed INKvestment Tank models (MFC-T580DW, MFC-T780DW, MFC-T980DW). Not yet tested on InkLockout; we found no source either way.
- HP Smart Tank models: InkLockout has no Smart Tank page yet. The bottle-fed claim above is Tank & Toner's, not ours.
- Which printers are best for photo, office or high-volume printing. Our printer records do not track this yet, so the list is grouped by how the ink gets in, not by use.
- Prices and running costs. We do not publish them.
Know something we missed? Dated sources beat opinions. Corrections go on the page with a date.
No paid links on this page. Disclosure.
Sources
- Tank & Toner (review site): Which printers accept third-party ink? (read Oct 25, 2026)
- Epson: Important ink information (cartridge restrictions and firmware updates) (read Oct 21, 2026)
- Brother USA: MFC-T780DW INKvestment Tank Color Inkjet All-in-One (read Oct 25, 2026)
- Brother USA: MFC-T980DW INKvestment Tank Color Inkjet Multi-Function Printer (read Oct 25, 2026)
- Brother USA: BTD1803PKS ink bottles (for MFC-T580DW, MFC-T780DW, MFC-T980DW) (read Oct 25, 2026)
- Brother support: 'Replace Ink' message after installing an INKvestment Tank cartridge (read Oct 25, 2026)
- HP+ frequently asked questions (read Oct 21, 2026)
- HP: Dynamic security enabled printers (PDF) (read Oct 21, 2026)
- HP Store: HP LaserJet Pro 4001dn Printer (read Oct 21, 2026)
- HP Support Community: How to use non HP ink cartridges for the Envy 6000 (published Sep 25, 2025)
- BCH Technologies (refill supplier): OfficeJet Pro 8035e rejecting refilled HP 910 cartridges (published Apr 22, 2026)
- Canon support: support code 1686 (TR4720, TS3320, TS3520) (published Apr 14, 2026)