Firstly, here’s a pertinent question to ask. Can you make generic ink cartridges work on the HP printer? The answer is yes, though you have to do certain things to make it work.
Many of these printer makers claim they don’t profit much from manufacturing and selling printers. Instead, they claim they make more profit selling their original ink to customers using their brands.
So, HP wants you to keep using their genuine ink cartridges so they can make more profit. But many users are not ready for this. Generic inks are affordable, so most users prefer them.
HP has done everything possible to prevent users from using generic ink in HP printers, but people have found a way around all their attempts.
We’ll discuss how to get generic ink to work on your HP printer perfectly. So, keep reading as we reveal more on this topic.
Why HP Printers Refuses New Ink Cartridges
HP wants you to keep using genuine ink cartridges in HP printers. For this reason, its genuine ink cartridge chip comes embedded with cartridge protection.
What this cartridge protection does is simple. Once you install a genuine cartridge to a printer, it locks it to that printer.
When the cartridge protection locks a genuine ink cartridge to a specific HP printer, you can’t use it on another printer.
Let’s put it this way. Suppose you install a genuine ink cartridge in an HP OfficeJet Pro 251dw printer. In that case, you cannot remanufacture, refill or recycle the same cartridge for use in another printer: for example, the HP OfficeJet Pro 860 printer.
Why You Should Deactivate HP Printer Cartridge Protection
The cartridge protection has no apparent benefit to users, though it does to HP. HP wants users to keep using its ink, which isn’t feasible. Generic ink cartridges are more affordable compared to genuine ones. Thus, many users prefer them.
So, is there any reason that should motivate you to disable cartridge protection in your printer? Check them out below.
The Reason 1: Note that someday, you’ll have to get a new HP printer (replace the current one you’re using). And the saddest thing is you cannot use your current ink cartridges on the new printer. Why? Cartridge protection may have locked the cartridge to your old printer.
The Reason 2: The failure to recycle cartridges because they have been locked to a specific printer means they’ll finally end up in landfills. The world is seriously thinking of ways to navigate through the climate change issues, which affects everyone.
So, we all have a role to play in ensuring that our planet is safe. Dumping non-biodegradable items like cartridges in landfills aren’t environmentally friendly.
The Reason 3: The “Protected” error notification could pop up even when you buy a genuine or starter ink cartridge that should have worked in the printer seamlessly.
Many users have complained about this issue. But then, they would have prevented it by disabling cartridge protection.
The Reason 4: Not disabling cartridge protection means you won’t be able to use cheap cartridges like the remanufactured or refilled ones. And this could be a big loss to users printing tons of files daily.
So, these are the reasons you should consider disabling cartridge protection in your HP printer. You can’t use generic or incompatible ink cartridges if you don’t.
Ways To Make Generic Ink Cartridge Work On your HP Printer
You can make your HP printer accept generic ink in several ways. And one way to do it is by deactivating the cartridge protection. We’ll also discuss other ways you can get your printer to accept generic ink cartridges besides disabling cartridge protection.
Method 1: How to disable cartridge protection from HP printer settings – Printer without internet:
This method is valid when disabling cartridge protection on a Hewlett-Packard printer that doesn’t have an internet connection.
Here’s how to disable this feature:
Step 1: Go to the printer menu and then settings.
Step 2: Locate the “Disable HP Printer Cartridge Protection” option on the settings.
Step 3: Disable “Cartridge protection.”
Step 4: Click the icon “Apply” and next, “Save.” Now you have successfully disabled cartridge protection on your HP printer.
A Handy Tip: Endeavor to save the new settings before exiting the page so that you won’t have to repeat this step.
Method 2: How to disable cartridge protection from HP printer settings – Printer with an internet:
Here is the second method to disable cartridge protection on an HP printer with an internet connection.
Follow the steps below.
Step 1: Launch the web browser
Step 2: Provide the HP printer’s IP address.
Note that HP printer’s IP address isn’t the same as your laptop’s address.
You can locate your HP printer’s IP from the settings. Open settings and go to network setup options for your IP.
Step 3: Access the printer’s embedded web server:
Your Hewlett-Packard’s embedded web server will be open after providing your IP address. Now go to settings; you’ll find “HP cartridge protection.”
Step 4: Disable HP cartridge protection:
Choose the disable option and proceed. Then finally, click “Apply” to make the changes and then “Save.”
Method 3: How to disable HP cartridge protection from the PC – Windows operating system:
Is your HP printer connected to a Windows PC? If yes, you can disable cartridge protection from your PC and save yourself the hustle of doing it directly on the printer.
Follow the steps below:
Step 1: Click on Windows “Start” button.
Step 2: Go to the control panel.
Step 3: On the control panel, click “Devices and Printers.”
Step 4: Locate the “HP Printer.” Place the cursor on the printer and right-click on it.
Step 5: Choose the “Properties” option followed by the “Software” tab.
A Handy Tip: Other things besides cartridge protection can prevent generic ink cartridges from working on your HP printer.
So, quickly, let’s discuss other things you can do to make your generic ink cartridge work on the printer.
We’ll call it method 4 for better understanding.
Method 4: Fix damaged/dirty metal contact:
We’ll like to state that this method isn’t used to disable cartridge protection. Instead, it details tips to make your generic ink cartridge function on your HP printer.
Your printers have an equal number of metal contacts as the ink cartridge. And these metal tips must connect to each other when you insert the cartridge into the printer. If they don’t, the printer won’t be able to read the data in the chip.
What can prevent the printer from reading the information on the metal contact chip? Dirt and physical damage can.
Dirt may cover the metal chips on the cartridge or printer, making it impossible for the printer to read them. In some cases, you might be dealing with a damaged metal chip.
Here’s how to clean metal contact to enable a generic cartridge to connect to your HP printer.
Step 1: Turn the printer off, and unplug it.
A Handy Tip: You can skip step point if you’re using the inkjet printer because you have to remove the cartridges before turning the printer off.
Step 2: Take off all the cartridges:
Endeavor to place the removed cartridges on a flat, neat surface so you can neatly transfer them back to the printer after cleaning.
Step 3: Inspect the cartridge and printer’s metal contacts:
Check the printer’s and cartridges’ metal contacts for any possible damages.
As for the cartridges, inspect them one by one. If you find any cartridge that needs cleaning, set it aside.
Step 4: Wipe the metal contacts gently:
It is okay to clean both visibly dirty metal contacts and the ones that are not yet dirty. Cartridges with clean metal contacts will be accepted by the printer easily.
So, take a clean, dry, and lint-free cloth. Then, gently wipe the metal contact surface (printer and cartridges).
Step 5: Return the cleaned cartridges to the printer and ensure they’re appropriately fixed.
Step 6: Connect the printer to the power supply and prepare it for printing.
You can test if the printer is working fine by printing.
Method 5: Generic ink cartridge not appropriately positioned in the printer:
Another way to make your generic ink cartridge work on your HP printer is to ensure the cartridges are correctly positioned.
You’ll get an error message if the cartridge is out of position. Above all, the printer won’t work.
So, always double-check your ink cartridges after inserting them into the printer.
Conclusion
Now you should know how to make generic ink cartridges work on an HP printer. You can check out the different methods explained in this post.
Besides disabling cartridge protection, you can do other things to make your printer accept and work with a generic ink cartridge.
For instance, you can clean the cartridge and printer’s metal contacts. But as explained, clean the metal tips gently to avoid damaging them. And use a clean and lint-free cloth.