Updated 20/05/2019
If your HP printer is giving you an error message such as HP cartridges locked or any other message that mentions something about HP cartridge protection, then it sounds like you have fallen victim to a printer firmware update and you will definitely be having trouble using compatible or remanufactured inks. You may also see a message like ‘ Used or counterfeit ink cartridge detected ’. You may also have an issue with a new ‘HP instant ink’ printer or ink cartridges and you do not wish to use the HP instant ink service.
We understand your frustration, and agree that everyone deserves to choose for themselves whether or not they want to use third party inks in their printer without having their HP cartridges locked to another printer. Don’t worry, I’m about to show you how to fix this issue and remove HP Cartridge Protection so that it can be bypassed…
Here’s what you’ll learn on this page:
- What HP cartridge protection means.
- Why this happens and why HP locked the cartridges.
- How to remove cartridge protection setting and bypass it in 2 easy steps.
- Which printer models and ink cartridges this affects.
- Also We’ll look at if it is possible to bypass HP instant ink.
Why are my HP cartridges locked / What is HP cartridge protection?
HP Cartridge protection or the message, ‘ ink cartridges locked to another printer ‘, is the message that appears on your printer when one of the following things happen:
The ink cartridges that you are trying to use are not original HP ink cartridges and….
- Your printer has the cartridge protection setting enabled
- The chip on the cartridges you are trying to use were made from empty original HP ink cartridges that have been used in a previous printer with the cartridge protection setting enabled. This in turn locks those cartridges to the last printer it had been used in rendering them unusable in your printer.
- You have purchased a HP instant ink printer and don’t intent to or no longer want to use the instant ink service but the printer or cartridges are locked.
Why does this happen?
With new printer models that are continuously connected to the internet, software and firmware (permanent software that is built into hardware devices) updates are routinely installed. These updates can change the way your printer operates or as in this case add new features.
If you see the message HP cartridges locked and you are experiencing this issue then it’s very likely that you have recently had a printer update to enable cartridge protection or you have a brand new printer with this feature already built in.
The printer can also be locked if purchased a new printer that can be used on the instant ink service and the screen prompt asked you if you would like to use the service and you clicked yes. This would mean that the printer is locked to instant ink services and any installed from that point would also be locked to the printer.
Why did HP introduce this?
Whilst HP cares about their customers and your satisfaction, they also above all else are a business and need to protect themselves. One of the largest issues that HP have as a business that costs them millions of pounds if not billions over the years is the problem with counterfeit or fake inks being produced and sold across the market.
Counterfeit cartridges, not to be confused with third party or compatible cartridges are completely fake copies of the original HP cartridges and are being sold as though they are the original HP cartridges. This is why HP introduced the update. To protect you as their customer and themselves as a business from counterfeit cartridges.
Also HP now provides a service called ‘instant ink’ where you pay a monthly fee instead of buying ink one cartridge at a time when you run out and this enables them to make sure you are purchasing genuine HP cartridges.
Unfortunately, this does also stop the use of compatible or remanufactured cartridges, however we are legally entitled to use a compatible or remanufactured cartridge if we choose to so there is a way of switching of cartridge protection and prevent the HP cartridges locked message from appearing.
How to remove cartridge protection in 2 easy steps
To remove, disable or bypass the cartridge protection setting on your HP printer you will need to use either the settings on the printer control panel (for printers not connected to the internet) or you will need the printers i.p address for printers that are connected to the internet.
- For non-internet connected printers – Find the devices and printers section in your control panel, then select your hp printer. Find the cartridge protection tab in the HP toolbox and click the disable cartridge protection option & save.
- For internet connected printers – Go to your printer and in the settings menu find your printers i.p address. Note this down and type it into a browser search bar which will take you to your printer configuration page. Click settings and disable cartridge protection.
Please note that when your printer updates again, this setting could be auto enabled again so you can prevent updates by switching them off in the web services section.
This should resolve your issue and any new cartridges that you install won’t be protected however if you do install a compatible or remanufactured cartridge that has been previously protected by another printer, this will not work and you’ll need to get a replacement from your supplier.
Unfortunately, if a cartridge has been previously locked to someone else’s printer then you won’t be able to use them in your printer as the lock cannot be removed from a cartridge. You’ll need to contact you ink supplier and get a replacement sent to you.
How to bypass HP instant ink
If you have purchased a HP instant ink printer and previously used ink cartridges provided by HP during the instant ink service, or maybe even accidentally clicked yes when the screen prompt asked if you’d like to set up instant ink (and really you didn’t want to) then here are some things that you can try to use HP instant inks and printers after cancelling.
- If your printer was previously used as an instant ink printer and you want to reset it then you will need to use the menu on the printer to go and reset the printer to it’s default settings (warning: you will lose all your previous settings and will need to set the printer up again, so be sure you want to go ahead before doing so). After this has been done, and the printer is started up again, make sure that you select ‘No’ when prompted to use the instant ink service.
- Follow the instructions earlier in this article to make sure that cartridge protection is disabled.
- Change the following setting. On the printer screen go to ‘Setup’ (cog icon) > Preferences > and set ‘Store anonymous usage information’ to off or no (this may also be called ‘data storage’).
- Install the ink cartridges.
The reason this setting is there is so that HP can track the usage of the cartridges such as when they were installed, what they are (genuine HP or compatible), number of pages printed, when they were last used, print mode used and any errors.
This should then stop HP checking the cartridges for HP instant ink compatibility but the downside is that it may stop the information correctly showing you how much ink is left in the cartridges. However, the cartridges should now work again. Please bear in mind that this may not work for everyone but if you’re at the end of your tether, it could help you out!
How to disable instant ink status
If your printer was previously using the HP instant ink service then it’s likely that your printer is still attempting to connect to the internet each time you print, so that it can check the instant ink status of the cartridges. This can be an annoyance, particularly if it prevents you from printing or means you have to get rid of the message each time before it prints.
To disable the message / checks, you will need to disable webs services and HP ePrint settings. On the printer menu, navigate to settings > Web Service Settings > and set ‘HP ePrint’ to off and Remove web services. This should prevent the Instant ink checks.
Which inks & printer models does cartridge protection affect?
The printers that seem to be affected by the HP cartridge protection setting are the HP Deskjet models, HP Envy, models, HP Officejet, HP Officejet Pro and HP OfficeJet Pro X models of printers listed below.
| Printer Range | Models |
| Envy 4500 range | HP Envy 4500, 4502, 4503, 4504, 4507, 4508 |
| Envy 5500 range | HP Envy 5530, 5532, 5534, 5535, 5536, 5540, 5542, 5543, 5544, 5546 |
| Envy 5600 range | HP Envy 5640, 5642, 5646 |
| Envy 7600 range | HP Envy 7640, 7644 |
| HP Deskjet 1000 range | HP Deskjet 1000, 1010, 1050, 1510, 1512, 1514, 1517 |
| HP Deskjet 2000 range | HP Deskjet 2050, 2054, 2510,2540, 2542, 2443, 2544, 2545, 2547 |
| HP Deskjet 3000 range | HP Deskjet 3000, 3050, 3052, 3054, 3057 |
| HP Deskjet F range | HP Deskjet F2410, F2418, F2423, F2430, F2476, F2483, F2488, F2492, F2493, F4583 |
| HP Officejet | HP Officejet 2610, 2620, 4630, 4632, 4634, 4636 |
| HP Officejet Pro | HP Officejet Pro all models |
| HP Officejet Pro X | HP Officejet Pro X all models |
So there you have it. Hopefully this will have helped with your frustrations and stop the HP cartridges locked meesage. Please comment below if you need further help or have any other points we may have missed. We’d love to hear from you!
About Stuart DeavallI have been working in the printing industry with TonerGiant for over 12 years and am the resident technical printer expert. I'm also the Digital Marketing Manager at TonerGiant.co.uk (degree qualified) and I have a passion for helping people fix their printer issues. I'm also a big fan of all gadgets and technology.
Where do I find my printer’s IP address?
Hi Brett, to find your printers i.p address, on your computer go to the control panel and navigate to devices and printers, then manage printers. Find your printer in the list and right click and click properties. Click the ports tab in the dialogue box that appears and find your printer in the list (should be ticked). The first column will have the printers i.p address. If you need any more help please get in touch! Stu.
Hi, I have Deskjet 1050A J410, the cartridge it originaly has 122. I bought 61 from USA and now dicovered they have regions for cartridges ?? What can i do to make the 61 work ,
Regards
There isn’t a great deal you can do unfortunately. Region encoded cartridges won’t work in a printer from another region. Sometimes the region of the printer can be changed when it’s first set up but there’s no way to guarantee that will work.
Hi Stuart, I have done all that you said above (found i.p. address, gone onto disable cartridge protection which was already disabled) but printer insists I need to change 3rd party cartridges which were fine, even if I try to put back the old ones I have just removed!Is there nothing at all that I can do?
Hi Karen,
this is a different problem to the cartridge protection issue which would normally give the ‘cartridges locked to another printer’ message. Try the points on my other page, Printer not recognising compatible cartridges, if the tips on that page don’t work, it’s likely the software on the chips of the cartridges are too out of date and the cartridges will need to be replaced.
Stu
HOpe this thread is still active.
I installed a color cartridge from Cartridge World for my HP F4236, and it will print blue on a test page, but now it won’t print black text, and only hyperlink blue text. What’s going on?
I tried the remedies above, but the disable cartridge protection was not visible in any menu, yet I am the Admin for this computer. Do I need to try new cartridges?
Hi there, if you are managing to print with your inks (but in the wrong colours / missing black), I suspect the problem isn’t the cartridge protection issue but a fault with the ink cartridge. All you can do really is contact where it was bought from and try to get a replacement. If that doesn’t work then it could be a print head issue.
HP is really getting sneaky. When I go to my printer IP to disable cartridge protection, a warning page that leaving HP and into a bad website. I clicked anyway, guess what, I was taken directly to the page that had my printer cartridge information.
I refilled an original HP302B cartridge but it would not print. Resting the printhead on a damp tissue did not help. I punctured the tape I had placed on the top of the cartridge over one of the holes and blew into it. This expressed ink on to the tissue against the printhead and afterwards it printed properly.
I have followed the steps to ‘reset’ my printer back to the default settings, and have reconfigured the printer as you stated above, but guess what! Now that I placed a new cartridge in the printer, AGAIN it does not work. And AGAIN, I am sitting here going through community forums, blogs, hp help, and nothing is working! When I try to type in the i.p. address (even with brackets), nope! I really need HELP!!! My work constantly stops with this problem, and it deprives me of days of missed work!!!! HELP ME PLEASE!!!!! I’m a work-at-home mom and this is my lively-hood!!!!
Hi. I have two HP 8720 printers. One has firmware version WMP1CN16060AR and it allows me to use compatible cartridges. The other has firmware version WMP1CN1848AR and, while there is an option to turn cartridge protection off, it does not provide the same paragraph that says turning protection off allows the use of compatible cartridges
When I try to update the second printer with the firmware that allows for compatibles, in the window where it identifies my printer, the status column says ‘not applicable’ and I cannot enable the checkbox to instruct it to perform the update
Any idea how to get the printer to install the desired firmware?
HI, I HAVE A hp PHOTOSMART PLUS B210 printer . I have done reset total in th display . Now the message is » NOT COMPATIBLE CARTRIDGES »
» and i can not instal a new FIRMARE !!!! because printer dos no go on from this message !!!!!
How can i instal new firmware ??? Please help me
Jose meir
The ‘cartridges not compatible’ message is a problem with the chips on the cartridges, try taking them out then switching the printer off (while still out of the machine) and unplugging from the wall socket. Leave the printer for 10 minutes and then plug back in and switch on, reinstall the cartridges and see if this resets the internal printer memory. If you get the same message, and the cartridges are remanufactured (not HP), it will likely be the software on the cartridges that is not working and they will need to be replaced for new ones.
Thank you so much for this information, I have just become an HP blocked 3rd party cartridge victim. I have an HP Officejet Pro 8500a on an iMac 10.9.
The image you supplied showed me where to log in only to find my cartridges have been blocked and the chips have all been blocked too, I have now bought 3 sets and all have been blocked, I’m fuming, a skint teacher not being able to print is a nightmare 🙁
Hi I have problem with my 63 printer and I bought another new printer with cartridges but my first printer I have new cartridges in it now I wanted to use the 63 ink to the new printer but it is not working with the old printer is working but with the new printer is refusing to what can I do so that the 63 cartridges will begin to work to tourn off hp 63 cartridges protection so that others mechins can use it also any product that I may use to clean the 63 even 61, 123, iam suffering from it my work is not improving please tell me what to do manually things can be OK some products to clean it when it is being protected and it can pass by or any other printer that can help to tourn off the protection
Hi there, unfortunately if the cartridges were locked to the first printer you used, you won’t be able to use them in another printer again. Once a cartridge has be used in a printer with cartridge protection switched on, it will be locked to that printer and can never be reset so you can use in a different printer. All you can do is buy new cartridges and make sure the protection setting is off for any you use in the future.
I have HP OfficeJet Pro 6960 All-in-One and in Preferences of the Settings there is no option for cartridge protection at all.
I used to use refills and it worked fine. This time I changed cartridges and display states that they are incorrectly installed.
I went back to factory reset in order to delete updates, but it still doesn’t print.
I would appreciate your advice. Thanx
Hi Ana, it could be that the cartridge software is out of date. Try some of the tips here: https://www.tonergiant.co.uk/blog/2014/07/printer-not-recognising-compatible-cartridges/
Unfortunately my printer has suddenly stopped due to this underhand scam from HP. But following your instructions I find there are only three tabs on the printer configuration page and no option to disable cartridge protection. I suspect I am out of luck, would rather scrap the printer than give in to this Corporate blackmail.
Hi Bob, thanks for your comment. If you can let me know your printer model, I’ll do my best to find out if we can switch cartridge protection off. The option may just be hidden. Thanks, Stu.
I’ve the same problem. HP DJ 3050
On printer configuration page I’ve only:
» Scan
» Network
» Tools
This could be something to do with administrator privileges on the printer or PC that has stripped some of the other options out. Try the following instructions to make sure you are connected to the router correctly https://www.wikihow.com/Connect-the-HP-Deskjet-3050-to-a-Wireless-Router
Thank you for you quick answer. I was installing HP 3 times. Every time the same result. I’m sure that I’m connected to the router correctly.
Hi Andrzej, if this is happening with original HP cartridges, I would suggest contacting HP support. Original cartridges shouldn’t be locked to another printer to start with so there’s a fundamental issue with what you’ve been supplied with and they should replace them for you or even replace your printer. Thanks, Stu.
I would like to use refill one and before that I need to deactivated cartridge protrection but I cannot.
It may also be possible to do this through your computer rather than on the web. If you’re using a PC then navigate to control panel, printers and devices, find your printer and properties. You’re looking for the HP toolbox tab (may be in advanced settings) and the disable cartridge protection option should also be found there, un-tick and save settings.
I too have desk jet 1050. there is no way I can use your method, there is no toolbox I have spent hours and days trying to figure it out. I am very old woman struggling with this, like Bob I would rather ditch the printer than give in to HP blackmail
Hi,
I guess that this will not fix the anoying “Used or counterfeit” message which is always popping up when I am trying to print. I am using legit cartridges but black ink only. I do not want to use color ink. I am so anoyed by Hp that I will never, ever buy an HP product again. And I am about to throw that new printer directly in the garbage (not without giving it a good beating with my baseball bat) and just buy a different brand. What a waste of time and money.
Hi Frank, unfortunately not. I think the reason for the message is that the cartridges may have been previously locked to another printer (if they are recycled versions). If they are actually original HP inks, they should not be displaying this message at all. I’d call HP and see what they say if that is the case. Thanks, Stu
I have 4520 all,in one will this have protection on iPad. How would I fix so I cant print
Hi Jeanette, I’ve never tried to access the settings of a printer on an ipad but it should technically be possible with any device if you access via a browser using the printer i.p address. If you follow the instructions above it should work for you.
I am having this issue with a very old printer that has, nonetheless, always worked with true HP color ink. It’s an HP Photosmart C3180 All-in-One. The issue came about when I bought a re-manufactured color ink cartridge from another supplier. When I go to print anything now, I can get error message (using Dell XPS 13) and the HP Support Center just tells me there is a cartridge problem. Unfortunately, I am not finding anything that allows me to disable cartridge protection. Any thoughts?
Hi Lauren, thanks for your comment. I don’t believe that cartridges protection software was implemented on some of the older printer models which is why you can’t find the cartridge protection setting to disable it. I’ve had a look around to see if I can find anyone else experiencing a similar issue and there is one small piece of advice that has worked for a few other people which is to clean the the connections on the cartridge and in the printer (where the two connect) with a damp earbud (q-tip). Make sure the earbud is not wet through but just very slightly damp so not to damage the printer. Give the connections a good clean and see how you get on. If that doesn’t work then it does sound like the software of the printer is preventing the re-manufactured ink from working and is technically faulty. You should be able to get a refund if that’s the case! This article explains and may also help: Printer not recognising cartridges Let us know how you get on! Thanks, Stu.
I am having this issue with compatible cartridges in my Deskjet 5940, can’t find a “switch cartridge protection off” tab either, any help appreciated, only one ink light blinking which would appear to be the black (aaaaagh)
Hi Toni, I’ve hunted around for a fix and it seems that this is a common error which also occurs with original ink cartridges. Here’s a link to the HP Forum with a few suggestions to try and fix the issue
I’m having the same problem… kind of. A remanufactured (generic) cartridge worked until empty. When another generic was added, the printer (OJ-8600) refused it. I disabled cartridge protection from the preferences menu but it still says there’s an error. No new cartridges can be installed. Generic and real HP cartridges are both being declined. The old empty cartridge, however, is accepted and clears the error. I’m stumped.
Hi Juanita, I can probably explain the reason the remanufactured cartridge isn’t working but it seems strange that the original isn’t. The cartridge Protection setting actually locks the ink cartridge and encodes it only to one printer, therefore if someone tries to use it in another printer, it’s locked to the first printer it was used in and won’t work. Therefore when recycled, the reman then can’t be used in another printer. Technically that could happen with the original as well but it would suggest that it has been locked to another printer somewhere else. I suppose it could be that some error with the software thinks that your printer wasn’t the original printer the ink was locked to. I’d contact HP and ask for their support
That makes sense and yet – yeah. Thank you, Stuart. I’ll talk with HP 🙂
hello! I cannot enter my IP address to try to uncheck the cartridge protection (chrome: This site can’t be reached).https://192.168.1.25/
I have a cp1025nw. I am trying to use an alternative compatible cartridge. I dont know what to do. thanks!
Hi there, could it be that your printer is installed on a network? If so then you would need to use the server pc to log in to the i.p address and change the setting. Alternatively if you can log on to the server PC from your PC you may be able to do it that way through the printer settings. Stu
I got HP envy 4500 model. I bought from UK where ink model number is 301. Recently, I have moved to my country where only ink 61 is compatible with my model. I bought 61 ink but when I insert the cartridge in the display of printer shows the cartridge is incompatible. Please suggest me.
Thanks
Apu
Hi Apu, if you bought your printer in the UK it will still be regionally encoded to the UK and will still take 301 inks not 61 inks. There may be a way to change the encoding but you would need to contact HP support for their help. Stu
Hello sir good day why my printer Hp deskjet 2130 printing blank and the ink i install the 123 is not compatible what should i do thank you so much
Hi Rose, did you buy your printer in the UK as the UK version takes the HP 302 ink cartridge so you may have the incorrect ink.
Hi Stuart,
My HP Deskjet F4500 has been fine with non-HP but compatible b/w cartridges and I stopped using colour. I recently replaced the b/w cartridge and then found I also still had an original HP colour cartridge so installed both. They worked fine together for a few pages and then the Error light came on for the b/w cartridge and I cannot get the printer to work anymore. I used the i.p. address but cannot find any cartridge protection tab for this printer. Any suggestions?
Hi Sophie, it sounds like you may have the common ‘ check cartridge’ error that affects a range of HP Deskjet printers including the F4500. There are a few ways to clear the problem if you haven’t already tried them, you can find a full list here but they include: Resetting the printer so the new cartridge is recognised properly, Wiping the metal contacts on the cartridge and inside the printer,and swapping old and new cartridges over to reset the printer. If you still have problems after that it could be an ink cartridge fault I’m afraid.
Hi
I’ve been battling for a while with the “non HP / compatible ” injet refills – spent an hour ( frustrating ) on phone arguing with HP – What there doing is simply illegal..
Is there anyway I can get my HP Deskjet 2540 to work with non HP manufactured cartridges?