In this article, we will reveal all you need to know about the HP printer cartridge lock and how to remove it.
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HP Printer Cartridge Lock [What it is]
The HP printer cartridge lock also known as HP Cartridge Protection is a system designed by Hewlett-Packard (HP) that prevents you from using a cartridge that has been locked to work in one HP printer in a different HP printer. In other words, when a cartridge has been locked to a particular printer, you cannot use that cartridge in another printer.
This protection system also prevents the use of compatible non-HP, remanufactured, or refilled cartridges.
How to Remove Cartridge Lock from HP Printer [Quick Guide] – HP Printer Cartridge Lock
To remove the cartridge lock from your HP printer, follow the instructions below.
Note: Removing the cartridge lock from your HP printer only prevents the cartridge you install into your printer from being protected. Therefore, doing the instructions below will not remove the lock from a cartridge that has already been protected on another printer, or compatible non-HP, remanufactured, or refilled cartridges. For such cases, you need to get a genuine compatible HP replacement cartridge.
How to Remove Cartridge Lock from HP Printer without Internet Features – HP Printer Cartridge Lock
To remove the cartridge lock from an HP printer without internet features, do the following steps:
Step 1: Access your printer’s menu.
Step 2: Navigate to the HP Cartridge Protection settings option.
Step 3: Select the HP Cartridge Protection disable option.
Step 4: Choose “Apply and Save” if necessary.
Read this article: HP Printer Lock [Guide, Issues & Proven Solutions] to learn about other HP printer lock issues.
How to Remove Cartridge Lock from HP Printer with Internet Features – HP Printer Cartridge Lock
To remove the cartridge lock from an HP printer with internet features, do the following steps:
Step 1: Ensure that the computer connected to your printer has an internet connection.
Step 2: Open any web browser on your computer.
Step 3: Type the IP address of your printer in the address bar.
Tip: If you don’t know your printer’s IP address, print a network configuration page. Once the page is printed, check the page for the IP address. This article: HP Configuration Page [How To/Issues & Solutions] will guide you on how to print a configuration page on your HP printer.
Step 4: Press your keyboard’s “Enter” key.
Your printer’s Embedded Web Server (EWS) will open.
Step 5: Click the “Settings” option.
Step 6: Click the “HP Cartridge Protection” option.
This option can be found on the left area of the screen.
Step 7: Disable the HP Cartridge Protection.
Step 8: Click “Save” or “Apply.”
How to Remove Cartridge Lock from HP Printer via Devices and Printers on Windows Computers – HP Printer Cartridge Lock
To remove the cartridge lock from an HP printer via Devices and Printers on a Windows computer, do the following steps:
Step 1: Click the search icon on the taskbar of your Windows computer.
Step 2: Type “control panel” in the search bar.
Step 3: Click “Control Panel.”
Step 4: Check under the “Hardware and Sound” section and click “View devices and printers.”
Step 5: Click on your HP printer.
Step 6: Open the settings of your printer.
Step 7: Click “Estimated Ink Levels.”
The HP Toolbox window will open.
Step 8: Click on “Cartridge Protection.”
Step 9: Click the button labeled “Disable HP Cartridge Protection.”
Step 10: Click on “Save.”
Step 11: Close the window.
Note: A printer update might cause the setting to be reverted. In that case, following the steps above will once again disable the HP Cartridge Protection.
Apart from the methods above, you can also remove the cartridge lock from your HP printer by restoring the printer to its factory default settings. This should only be done as a last resort as this process deletes your settings and preferences.
How to Restore HP Printer to Factory Default Settings – HP Printer Cartridge Lock
To restore your HP printer to its factory default settings, do the following steps:
Step 1: Select “Setup” on the control panel of your HP printer.
Step 2: Select “Tools.”
Step 3: Scroll down to “Restore Factory Defaults.”
Step 4: Select “Restore Factory Defaults.”
Step 5: Once the warning prompt is displayed, click “Yes.”
Your printer will restore to factory defaults and restart automatically once the process is complete. The HP Cartridge Protection will be disabled after the restart.
The instructions above can be used to remove the left toner cartridge lock for the HP 3600dn Color LaserJet printer.
