HP+ — activation lock prevents non-HP cartridges (How to disable “Cartridge locked”)
Joe B.
Expert ★★★★★ 27,853 satisfied customers
Specialities: HP printers, HP Smart/Instant Ink, firmware & chip errors, cartridge region lock, Wi-Fi setup
Fix HP+ activation lock — disable Cartridge Protection, resolve Instant Ink restrictions, region & firmware blocks
Technician
Quick context for the right fix: what exact message do you see — “Cartridge locked”, “HP+ only accepts genuine HP”, “Used or counterfeit”, or “Use Setup Cartridges”? Which model (e.g., DeskJet / Envy / OfficeJet / LaserJet) and are you enrolled in HP Instant Ink via the HP Smart app? Also, did firmware update recently?
Technician
Plan: 1) Verify HP+ enrollment & Instant Ink status. 2) Turn off Cartridge Protection in the HP Smart app / Embedded Web Server (EWS). 3) Power-cycle & reseat supplies. 4) If needed, cancel Instant Ink and de-activate HP+ (where allowed) or use OEM HP cartridges. 5) For region lock or “Use Setup Cartridges”, we’ll run the region reset or setup-cartridge recovery.
Technician
1) In HP Smart, select your printer → Printer Settings → Advanced → open Embedded Web Server (EWS).
2) EWS: Settings → Preferences → Cartridge Protection → set to Off. Save & apply.
3) If you see Supply Settings → “Only use Original HP”, turn that off too.
4) Power cycle the printer (leave off 60 seconds). Reseat each cartridge. This clears many HP+ cartridge locked states.
Technician
Step 2 — Supply source check
• Replace any Instant Ink cartridges with standard Original HP or compatible cartridges that match your region code (e.g., 910/912/915/917 series variants).
• In HP Smart → Supply Status, confirm chips are recognized as Standard, not Instant Ink.
• If you want to keep Instant Ink, resume the plan and let the printer sync; otherwise completely cancel, remove printer from account, then restart and use standard supplies.
Technician
Step 3 — Exit HP+, reset services & handle firmware
• Cancel Instant Ink fully, then Remove printer from your HP account (HP Smart → Account → Manage devices).
• On the printer: Restore Network Defaults and Web Services (disable then re-enable only if needed).
• Perform a semi-full reset if available in diagnostics/service menu (varies by model).
• Firmware: some updates enforce Dynamic Security that blocks certain non-HP chips. If allowed in your region/model, install a compatible firmware version that supports “Cartridge Protection Off” with third-party supplies — or use original HP cartridges to guarantee operation.
• Finally, insert new standard cartridges, wait for initialization, then print the alignment page.
Technician
Step 4 — Region reset (if you relocated)
• Gather the printer’s serial number, a test page with the MRID/CRID, and the new cartridge’s country.
• Contact HP Support to request a regionalization key, or we can help prepare the ticket. After entering the key via EWS/service menu, the printer accepts cartridges for the new region.
• If you did not relocate, use cartridges for your printer’s original region.
Technician
• Keep Cartridge Protection = Off and disable any “Only use Original HP” toggle if you plan to use compatibles.
• In HP Smart, ensure the printer isn’t re-enrolled in HP+ or Instant Ink unless you want it.
• Avoid moving between regions with the same printer unless you plan a region reset.
• When replacing supplies, install matched region cartridges and update firmware cautiously if you rely on third-party chips.
Technician
Quick answer: the accepted fix
Accepted fix when HP+ shows “Cartridge locked”: turn off Cartridge Protection (EWS/HP Smart), replace Instant Ink cartridges with standard Original HP or region-correct compatibles, cancel/relink Instant Ink as desired, then power-cycle and align. For relocation errors, request an HP region reset.
What triggers HP+ “Cartridge locked” (Instant Ink, Dynamic Security, region codes)
HP+ ties the printer to an account and enables server checks. Instant Ink supplies deactivate if the plan is paused or canceled. New Dynamic Security firmware may reject non-HP chips. And region lock (US vs EU codes) blocks the wrong number family. Switching off Cartridge Protection, matching the correct region code, and using standard OEM cartridges resolves most lockouts.
How to confirm the lock is cleared
From the control panel print a Quality Report or Alignment Page. In HP Smart → Supply Status, chips should report “Genuine HP” or “Standard” (not Instant Ink). If an error persists, check Cartridge Protection again, verify Instant Ink is fully canceled, and confirm your cartridges match the printer’s region.
HP+ activation lock — quick troubleshooting tips
Most blocks come from Cartridge Protection, Instant Ink deactivation, firmware Dynamic Security, or region mismatch.
Quick path: HP Smart/EWS → turn off Cartridge Protection → remove Instant Ink cartridges or resume plan → install standard OEM or region-correct compatibles → power cycle and align. Request a region reset if you relocated.
Disclaimer: This information is AI-generated and intended for general guidance only. For advice specific to your environment, please consult a verified expert on Whizz-Tech before making decisions.
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FAQ
What is HP+ activation lock and “Cartridge locked”?
HP+ links the printer to an account and enables Cartridge Protection. It may block non-HP or deactivated Instant Ink cartridges, showing “Cartridge locked” until settings are changed and supplies are replaced.
How do I turn off Cartridge Protection?
Open HP Smart → Printer Settings → Advanced → Embedded Web Server. Go to Settings → Preferences → Cartridge Protection and switch Off. Power cycle and reseat cartridges.
Why won’t Instant Ink cartridges work after I cancel?
Instant Ink supplies are subscription-only. After cancellation or if the printer goes offline, they are deactivated. Use standard Original HP or compatible region-correct cartridges instead.
What is cartridge region lock?
HP uses different cartridge families by region (e.g., 910/962 US vs 912/963 EU). If numbers don’t match the printer’s region, you’ll get compatibility errors. Request an HP region reset only if you permanently relocated.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Quick fix |
|---|---|---|
| “Cartridge locked” | Cartridge Protection enabled / HP+ | Turn off Cartridge Protection in EWS; power cycle |
| Cartridge recognized but won’t print | Deactivated Instant Ink supply | Replace with standard OEM or resume Instant Ink |
| “Incompatible/Used” after update | Dynamic Security firmware block | Use OEM cartridges or firmware that supports your chips |
| New cartridges from another country don’t work | Region lock mismatch | Use correct regional numbers or request a region reset |
Step-by-step (HP Smart / EWS)
- Open HP Smart → Printer Settings → Embedded Web Server (EWS).
- Go to Preferences and switch Cartridge Protection Off. Disable any “Only use Original HP” toggle.
- Remove Instant Ink cartridges; insert standard OEM or region-correct compatibles.
- Power cycle the printer; print alignment and a Quality Report.
Note for macOS / iOS users
- HP Smart for Mac/iOS has the same path to open the Embedded Web Server.
- If EWS is blocked, connect via the printer’s IP in Safari/Chrome and sign in as administrator.
Sources
- HP Support — Cartridge Protection / HP+ information
- HP Instant Ink — subscription details
- HP — Region codes and regionalization
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