When an HP printer works, it does produce nice prints. However, getting to that point can often feel like navigating a frustrating maze of troubleshooting. For a user, the initial experience might seem promising, but the underlying issues quickly surface, especially when it comes to HP’s ink and smart features.
One of the most significant pain points is the HP ink subscription service. Despite paying for it for three years, users have reported not receiving the promised additional cartridges or benefiting from rollover pages. Cancelling the subscription, while seemingly a solution, introduces new problems. Even when the HP Smart app indicates ink cartridges are low but still usable, attempting to print directly from a document or website often results in blank pages. Ironically, printing only becomes possible when initiated through the HP Smart app, a process that wasn’t always necessary before cancelling the ink subscription.
Furthermore, the “smart” features tied to the subscription come with limitations. Users are restricted to a certain number of pages per month, and any errors or misprints – even printer-related issues – count against this monthly quota. Payment also becomes a hurdle, as using prepaid or locked cards can lead to printing disruptions and require repeated card updates within the HP Smart app, even if rollover pages are available. This experience suggests that while HP printers might offer initial appeal, the long-term ownership, especially with its “smart” features and ink subscription model, can be riddled with inconveniences and unexpected costs. It might be wiser to consider printers from other brands and purchase ink independently to avoid these frustrations.
