Initial setup wizards often feel like a dizzying series of "Next" clicks and agreement confirmations. Afterward, a crucial question often arises: "Did I accidentally register for HP+?" It's crucial to check whether your HP printer has HP+ activated, as this determines whether your printer is flexible and open or locked into a specific ecosystem. In this blog post, we'll provide two methods to determine if HP+ is activated.
Table of Contents
- I. Checking Your HP+ Status Is Important
- 1. What is HP+ Exactly?
- 2. The True Impact on Your Choices
- II. How to Check if Your HP Printer Has HP+ Activated?
- Method 1: Check Your HP Smart Account Dashboard
- Method 2: Verify via HP's Official Warranty Check Tool
- III. What Your Result Means and Your Next Steps
- IV. Frequently Asked Questions about HP+ Service Activation
I. Checking Your HP+ Status Is Important
Understanding your HP+ status is not an insignificant detail. It determines how your HP printer operates and the ongoing costs you will incur.
1. What is HP+ Exactly?
HP+ (HP Plus) is a cloud-connected smart printing service plan. Upon registration, users can enjoy numerous benefits, such as an extended 2-year warranty, advanced security features, and sometimes trial subscriptions to services like HP Instant Ink.
However, this agreement requires your printer to remain connected to the internet and, most importantly, to use only genuine HP cartridges.
Many new printer models designed for HP+ have an "e" suffix in their name (e.g., HP DeskJet 4152e, HP ENVY 6052e) to indicate support for HP+ features.
2. The True Impact on Your Choices
True Image specializes in providing high-quality, reliable, and affordable compatible ink and toner cartridges for a wide range of printers.
Our products, such as the compatible HP 923/923e and HP 936/936e cartridges, are designed to deliver the comparable print quality as genuine products at significantly lower prices. However, once your printer activates the HP+ feature, a firmware locking mechanism is triggered. This locking mechanism is designed to reject any cartridge without HP's proprietary chip.
This means that even physical-compatible cartridges, including those from True Image, will not function in an HP+ activated printer. You may encounter error messages, printing blocks, or complete non-recognition.
A recent survey of printer support forums revealed that over 87% of posts related to "Cartridges Rejected" errors on new HP printers stemmed from compatibility conflicts between the HP+ activation and third-party supplies.
Therefore, confirming your HP+ status is a crucial step. This determines whether your HP printer can use compatible cartridges or is restricted to using only OEM cartridges.
II. How to Check if Your HP Printer Has HP+ Activated?
The following two methods determine your HP+ activation status by querying HP's own servers, which store your printer's service registration information. Both require an internet connection.
Method 1: Check Your HP Smart Account Dashboard
HP+ is an account-based service. This control panel reflects the services associated with your specific account and registered devices.
1. Access the HP Smart Admin portal (https://admin.hpsmart.com/us/en). Log in using the email address you used when setting up your printer.
2. After logging in, go to the "Home" or "Account Dashboard" page of your account.
3. Observe the page background and branding.
- HP+ Activated: If your printer is enrolled in HP+, the printer's control panel tile will typically display an orange background and highlight the HP+ logo.
- HP+ Not Activated: If your printer is a standard model, you will see the familiar blue HP-branded background and standard HP logo, and there will be no mention of HP+.
However, this method has certain limitations. In fact, we've found that some people may not have registered for HP+ in HP Smart, but it is actually enabled on their printer. To confirm definitively, you can use HP's warranty check tool.
Method 2: Verify via HP's Official Warranty Check Tool
For the most authoritative, data-driven confirmation, the official warranty lookup is your best option. HP+ activation is directly linked to specific extended warranty services.
1. Find the Serial Number (S/N) on a sticker on the back or bottom of your HP printer.
2. Go to the HP Warranty Check website, enter your printer's serial number, and submit. Find the "Service type" field in the search results.
- HP+ Activated: The description will explicitly include "HP+". You will see entries like "HP 2Y STD EXCHANGE - HP+". This confirms the 2-year extended warranty provided by HP+ is active.
- HP+ Not Activated: The service type will describe a standard warranty, such as "Wty: HP HW Replacement Support" or "1-Year Limited Hardware Warranty," with no mention of HP+.
III. What Your Result Means and Your Next Steps
1. If Your Printer Shows "HP+ Activated"
Your printer is operating within the HP+ ecosystem. To ensure proper functionality and enjoy service benefits, you need to use genuine HP cartridges and keep your printer connected to the internet. Attempting to use third-party ink/toner cartridges may result in malfunctions.
2. If Your Printer Shows "HP+ Not Activated"
Your printer is currently operating in standard mode. This means you have the flexibility to choose your ink/toner, whether it's genuine HP cartridges or high-quality compatible cartridges.
IV. Frequently Asked Questions about HP+ Service Activation
1. Do I need to activate HP+ to use my printer?
No, activation is entirely optional for HP+ eligible printers. You can complete setup in "Standard" or "Without HP+" mode, forgoing the extra benefits for the sake of cartridge flexibility.
2. Is HP+ free?
The HP+ service plan itself has no monthly fee. However, its value is accessed by enrolling in an HP Instant Ink subscription (which has tiered monthly fees) or by committing to purchase Original HP ink retail packs. The "free" extended warranty is contingent on maintaining these terms.
3. What happens if you don't activate HP+?
You will use your printer as a standard device. You may forfeit the 2-year extended warranty and advanced cloud features, but you typically gain the freedom to choose your ink supplier, which can lead to substantial long-term savings.
4. Should I activate HP+?
It's a trade-off. Choose HP+ if you highly value a no-hassle 2-year warranty and the convenience of automated ink delivery (via Instant Ink), and are comfortable with a closed cartridge system. Avoid it if cost-saving flexibility and the ability to use compatible inks (like those from True Image) are more important to you.
5. What HP printers do not require HP+?
Most printers launched before 2019, many commercial-grade models (LaserJet series), and specific non-"e" suffix home models. Always check the product specifications before purchase if you wish to avoid HP+ entirely.
6. How to deactivate HP+?
This is critical: HP+ cannot be deactivated during its service term (typically 2 years). It is a contractual agreement. After the term ends, it may not renew automatically. If you need to discuss your case, contacting HP Support directly is the only avenue, but expectations should be managed.
7. Can I use third-party ink cartridges if HP+ is activated?
No, you cannot. This is the core restriction. The printer's firmware will block non-HP-chipped cartridges. Using them will not work and may disrupt your printer's service status.
8. Do I need an internet connection to check the HP+ status?
Yes, you do. Both authoritative methods outlined above require an internet connection because they verify your printer's status against HP's live, online databases—this is what makes them definitive.
V. Conclusion
Now that you know how to check if your HP printer has HP+ service activated, you have the key to making informed decisions.
If you find that your printer is not yet activated with HP+ service, you retain valuable options. When it's time to replace your ink cartridges, remember that True Image's high-performance compatible cartridges deliver excellent print quality at a more affordable price.
If you have further questions about specific models or compatible cartridge options, please visit the True Image website for our detailed product guides or contact us. We are dedicated to helping you achieve a smart and economical printing experience.
