Yes, you can use the HP printer without Instant Ink. HP Instant Ink is a paid subscription service from HP designed to provide users with uninterrupted ink or toner for printer use. However, many users may refrain from using this service due to price and other limitations.
This blog posted by True Image will walk you through how to use your HP printer without Instant Ink.
What Is HP+ Instant Ink?
First, let's understand the concept of HP+Instant Ink itself. HP Instant Ink is a subscription service provided by HP. After users sign up for Instant Ink, they can choose a monthly plan based on their expected printing volume.
Your printer automatically keeps tabs on how much ink or toner is left in your cartridge. So, instead of merely warning you about low levels, your printer takes the next logical step and orders a replacement cartridge. While the convenience of Instant Ink is undeniable, some users prefer more control over their printing supplies and costs. Factors such as printing frequency, content type, and personal budget may affect the suitability of an Instant Ink subscription.
Understanding the service's details enables you to make informed choices that better suit your needs.
Benefits Of Using HP Printer Without Instant Ink
① Flexible Cost Control
Not using HP Instant Ink means you can buy your ink cartridges based on actual needs, and you don't need to be limited to a monthly plan to print pages and a fixed subscription fee. You can control your printing costs more precisely by choosing the right ink cartridge based on frequency and usage.
② Reduce Dependencies
Relying on an HP Instant Ink subscription service may limit your ability to print. For example, the number of pages printed per month and the type of printing. There are two types of HP Instant Ink plans: ink plans and toner plans. Each type has five different print page counts and subscription levels. Its pricing is based on the number of pages you print per month. For example, you can print 10 or 50 pages monthly, etc.
Instead of using this service, you have more control over the use and maintenance of your printer without service restrictions.
③ More Cartridge Options
Not using HP Instant Ink means you have a wider choice of ink or toner cartridge brands. In addition to official cartridges, you can also choose other compatible HP ink or toner cartridges, giving you more choices to meet different printing needs.
How To Cancel Instant Ink On HP Printer?
The following will introduce the steps to cancel the Instant Ink subscription service on an HP printer. If your HP printer supports the Instant Ink subscription service, you can refer to the following methods.
① Use The HP Website
The most direct way to cancel your HP Instant Ink subscription is to cancel your subscription through the HP website.
The specific method is as follows:
1. Access HP’s official website and log into your account.
2. In your account window, select “My plan”.
3. In the new My Plan tab, a display containing the full details of your HP plans will pop up. Click “HP Instant Ink Plan”.
4. Navigate to the bottom left corner of your screen in the expanded window, then click “Cancel Enrollment”.
NOTE:
Once you complete the process, you will receive a confirmation email from HP within a few minutes. Once the cancellation is confirmed via email, HP Instant Ink will disappear from the My Plans tab, and the subscription will be successfully canceled.
② Using The Windows Control Panel
If you cannot cancel your subscription from the HP website, try canceling it from your computer window panel.
The specific method is as follows:
1. Open your computer's Control Panel by searching for it in the Windows menu.
2. Select the Devices and Printers heading in the Control Panel window.
3. In the expanded window, select the Account Settings tab.
4. Click Cancel my Instant Ink subscription. You must enter your HP account email and password to verify the cancellation.
5. After entering HP login verification, your Instant Ink subscription will be canceled.
③ Reset To Factory Settings
If the above two methods fail to cancel the Instant Ink subscription, you can try to restore the factory settings to solve the problem. Reset the HP printer to default.
The specific method is as follows:
1. Access the printer's Printer Utility tool.
2. In the Open menu, select Tools at the top.
3. Select "Restore printer to factory default settings."
NOTE:
Factory reset should be considered as a last resort. We recommend restoring the printer's default settings only if you have tried the other two methods. If the first two methods don't work the first time, try them multiple times because they are effective.
How Can I Use My HP Printer Without Instant Ink?
Manual Ink Or Toner Cartridge Purchase
When your ink or toner cartridges run out, you can purchase compatible ones. When purchasing ink or toner cartridges, choose the right one for your printer model and specifications to ensure print quality and compatibility.
NOTE:
1. If you are using an HP+ printer, such as HP LaserJet Pro 4002dwe, and want to use compatible toner cartridges, you must first purchase an original HP toner cartridge and then replace the HP toner chip of the original cartridge with a compatible toner cartridge after use.
2. If your printer is a non-HP+printer, such as HP LaserJet Pro 4002dw, 4002dn, MFP 4102dw, 4102fdw, and 4102fdn, they can subscribe to the Instant Ink service and can use compatible toner cartridges normally after cancellation.
3. If you need to replace compatible ink or toner cartridges, you can choose the trustworthy True Image brand. True Image has more than 25 years of experience in ink and toner cartridges. It has been committed to providing customers with superior quality, high-performance, compatible ink and toner cartridges. For example, HP W1490A toner cartridges have very strong compatibility. They can perfectly adapt to the printer models mentioned above and print as smoothly as the original toner cartridges. Bring you a high-quality printing experience.
Check Ink And Toner Levels
To avoid running out of ink or toner cartridges during printing, it is recommended that you check the printer's ink or toner levels regularly. When the level is low, replace the ink or toner cartridge in time to ensure print quality and normal operation of the printer.
FAQs About Using A HP Printer Without Instant Ink
Q1: Will My HP Printer Work Differently If I Don't Use Instant Ink?
A1: No, your HP printer will work the same whether you use instant ink or buy ink or toner cartridges. The only difference is how you receive and pay for the ink or toner cartridge.
Q2: Can I Cancel A 3 Month Free Trial On HP Instant Ink?
A2: Yes. You can cancel your Instant Ink printing plan or change plans anytime. To change your plan or cancel your service, log in at hpinstantink.com/users/signin.
NOTE:
The length of the Instant Ink free trial period varies by printer model. Some printer models have a 3-month free trial period for Instant Ink, while others have a 6-month trial period. For example, the Instant Ink free trial period for HP LaserJet Pro 4002dwe is six months. You can check the free trial period of Instant Ink on HP's official website or in the printer's user manual.
Q3: Can I Switch From Using HP Instant Ink To Buying Ink Cartridges Independently?
A3: You can replace HP Instant Ink with HP-compatible ink or toner cartridges you purchase yourself. However, you need to cancel your subscription first. Otherwise, you will still be charged monthly.
Conclusion
Not using HP Instant Ink doesn't mean you can't use your HP printer. By purchasing your ink or toner cartridges and checking ink or toner levels regularly, you can have more control over your printing costs. At the same time, not using HP Instant Ink also allows you to choose the ink or toner cartridge brand more flexibly to meet different printing needs. In a word, not using HP Instant Ink is more suitable if you want more flexibility to control your printing costs.