Buying off-brand ink can be a convenient way to save money and avoid the hassle of figuring out compatibility with your printer. However, many printer brands make it difficult or outright impossible to use third-party cartridges.
Can I use off-brand ink in my HP printer, though?
HP designs its machines to reject most third-party inks. The brand’s entire business model revolves around selling ink at a profit, and they go above and beyond to protect their bottom line.
It’s not all selfish, though. HP inks ensure your printer produces high-quality outputs and remains compliant with your warranty. This forces you to make a tough decision – do you risk damaging your printer in the name of saving a few dollars on ink?
We’ll break down everything in this guide. You’ll learn how to use off brand ink in HP printers, when it’s a good idea to stick with HP ink, and what to do with unwanted ink cartridges.
Can I Use Off-Brand Ink in My HP Printer?
Ink costs put a strain on your budget. You want to do anything you can to lower your expenses.
So, can I use off-brand ink in my HP printer to save on costs?
The answer depends on a few different factors: your printer model, warranty, technical know-how, and risk tolerance. Some HP printers work with third-party ink, while others make it functionally impossible without voiding your warranty or causing irreparable damage.
What Are Off-Brand or Third-Party Ink Cartridges?
Before we teach you how to use off-brand ink in HP printers, we first need to establish what separates third-party or generic ink from HP’s cartridges.
Companies other than HP create third-party ink that is compatible with HP printers, at least in theory. It’s the same idea as buying a generic cereal or medicine at your grocery store instead of the name brand.
Off-brand ink comes in different forms. There are brand new third-party inks that attempt to mimic the specifications of HP cartridges. Some of them even have compatible smart chips that bypass some of HP’s protections.
There are also recycled HP cartridges with fresh ink. You get to keep an HP cartridge while paying for cheaper ink. In some cases, you can also fill the ink yourself using a refill kit.
Benefits of Using Off-Brand Ink in an HP Printer
Why should you learn how to use off brand ink in HP printers, though? You get to save money when you use different types of printer ink other than factory models. Some third-party inks also have environmental benefits since they are recycled.
Some third-party brands include more ink than genuine HP cartridges. Off-brand ink is the better choice for cost savings, at least in the short term.
Is it Safe, Though?
You also need to consider long-term consequences, however. Can I use off-brand ink in my HP printer forever without issues?
As you learn how to use off-brand ink in HP printers, you will inevitably encounter error messages from your device. It will warn you of incompatibility and voided warranties.
Third-party inks have different thickness and viscosity compared to genuine cartridges, which can cause clogs or damage.
HP can use this as proof to void your warranty. You can’t send your printer in for repairs or replacement if HP finds traces of off-brand ink in the nozzles.
But overall, you can use generic ink with your HP printer with enough preparation, provided you’re comfortable with the risks. Many third-party brands have good reputations and rigorous testing to ensure your machine remains in top condition – even if your HP warranty disappears.
How Do I Trick My HP Printer to Accept Generic Ink?
Can I use off-brand ink in my HP printer? Yes, in most cases, as long as you are willing to accept the potential downsides.
So let’s teach you how to change ink in an HP printer, including tweaks you need to make to get around HP’s protections.
Why HP Printers Reject Third-Party Ink by Default
Learning how to use off-brand ink in HP printers will be difficult without proper knowledge. Most HP printers have defenses that keep generic ink from functioning correctly.
HP’s business model revolves around selling ink to customers who buy their affordable printers. They need to protect their investment to make a profit. It’s not all malicious, though.
HP printers also protect their own firmware and hardware from damage. Off-brand ink can have different viscosity or thickness, which will jam up the system. Generic ink can also lower print quality.
Disable HP’s Dynamic Security Feature in Printer Settings
HP printers will prevent you from using generic ink by default.
But can I use off-brand ink in my HP printer if I disable those protections?
The answer depends on your model. HP’s Dynamic Security feature is the main line of defense. You might be able to deactivate it in your printer settings if your model allows for it. Look in your printer’s touch screen menu. You want to find a tab that says “cartridge policy”, “dynamic security”, “advanced settings”, or “cartridge protection”. Reboot your printer and then try to insert your generic ink. You might also find this setting in the HP App or in your computer’s printer settings.
Roll Back the Firmware to an Older Version (and Turn Off Automatic Updates)
What do you do if you don’t see the Dynamic Security feature anywhere in your settings? You may need to go back to an older firmware version. This is where things start to get risky – you might void the warranty by doing so.
Go to HP’s support website and find printer drivers for your model. Look for firmware from the mid-2010s or earlier if possible. Restart your printer and run the firmware file. The installation may take up to 20 minutes.
Then, make sure you deactivate automatic updates on your computer or HP app. Otherwise, your printer will inevitably install the newer firmware and render your generic ink unusable again.
Use Compatible Generic Cartridges With Smart Chips
Smart-chipped third-party ink cartridges are crucial when you’re learning how to use off-brand ink in HP printers. HP printers read smart chips to determine ink level, cartridge models, and authentication.
Compatible generic cartridges will use similar or identical smart chips to genuine HP ink. Look for brands with certified manufacturing, region-specific programming codes (e.g., USA, Europe, or Asia), and a compatibility guarantee.
Reset the Printer to Clear Cartridge Errors
You will encounter errors when you first try using generic ink in your HP printer. You will need to reset your printer and make some tweaks to handle them.
A complete factory reset combined with a firmware rollback is the most reliable solution. Your printer model will have a unique method for factory resets, but it typically involves holding down a few buttons or navigating your settings menu.
You may also find cartridge errors even after a factory reset. You’ll want to double-check compatibility and try soft resets to address the issue.
Use Refillable Ink Cartridges With Chip Resetters
Refillable cartridges are a neat way around some of the HP printer protections. You buy a refill kit with syringes and HP-compatible ink. These cartridges also have smart chip resetters that help you bypass the “low ink” messages.
Are There HP Printer Models That Work Better With Off-Brand Ink?
HP printers have had varied responses to generic ink over the years. Some models work better with off-brand cartridges than others.
First, any HP printers from before 2017 are a better option for generic ink. It is easier for you to roll back to older firmware that doesn’t get angry with off-brand cartridges. Models from the OfficeJet, Envy, and Deskjet series from pre-2017 are all great options.
HP printers from after 2020 also offer a few sneaky ways to get around the protections. HP OfficeJet 8000 series models allow you to deactivate dynamic security. Ink tank models like the HP Smart Tank series use refillable ink tanks, which don’t have smart chips.
Enterprise models like the HP LaserJet are more flexible as well.
However, some models won’t work with third-party ink. Printers from 2018 to 2020 are the most difficult. For example, the HP OfficeJet 9000 series makes it almost impossible to disable Dynamic Security.
You might be stuck with your current printer model, but if you want to upgrade, be sure to research your options beforehand. Other brands are more lenient on third-party ink.
Why We Still Recommend Using Name-Brand Printer Ink
Can I use off-brand ink in my HP printer? Yes.
But should you? That’s a difficult question to answer, and ultimately comes down to your personal level of risk tolerance. Plenty of homeowners and businesses use HP genuine ink, and not just because they ‘have’ to.
Print Quality and Longevity
HP’s genuine ink is the best way to maximize print quality on your machine. Third-party ink is cheaper in part because it serves as a catch-all for many types of printers. The minor tweaks in viscosity can have a significant interaction with the printhead on your device.
For many businesses, print quality is not something you can ignore. Design shops, photography studios, legal practices, and high-volume offices need high-quality, smudge-free prints. HP’s genuine ink offers consistent color vibrancy and higher fade resistance compared to generic options.
Printer Maintenance and Warranty Coverage
What happens if you use off-brand ink in an HP printer and you void your warranty?
Maybe nothing. But maybe your print head gets clogged. Suddenly, your printer isn’t producing any output at all.
Now you’re spending hundreds of dollars on a new printer or repairs, none of which are protected by your warranty. Is that worth it to save a few dollars on ink a month?
It’s up to you to determine if that risk is acceptable, but we advise sticking with HP’s ink in most cases.
Final Words on How to Use Off-Brand Ink in HP Printer
Off-brand ink promises cost savings compared to HP’s OEM cartridges. On paper, the cost savings are evident just by comparing price tags.
But there are some drawbacks to using generic ink. You may end up voiding your warranty and damaging your printer, leaving behind a costly mess.
Ultimately, the best choice may be to get a printer brand with lower ink costs, or to switch to a different HP model.
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Frequently asked questions
Do HP printers accept non-HP ink?
In most cases, you need HP ink in an HP printer. In fact, most HP ink types aren’t even compatible with most HP models.
Does generic ink damage a printer?
Generic ink may damage your print head by causing clogs. Check the third-party brand for compatibility with your model and use at your own risk.
How to get HP printer to recognize non-HP ink?
Bypass HP’s Dynamic Security setting and ensure your generic cartridge is compatible.
