I need a subscription to print?

[Steven P. Administrators]

I saw this on reddit and had to share here.

Crazy 😂

[zeke009]

So many questions... first, is this real? If so, printer make & model?

I haven't messed with home printers much at all in a very long time. I bet the ink in mine is dried up.

I wouldn't put it past any company to attempt this kind of thing at this stage. The world seems to be stuck in a "hold my beer" moment with the level of WTF'ery going on.

[neufuse Veteran]

4yrs ago HP Instaink printers required a per page subscription.. these printers do not work if your subscription is over

 

edit:

looks like epson has a model like this also

 

keep in mind these are "unlimited ink" printers... you fully knew you needed a subscription to use them when you bought them...

Edited May 6 by neufuse

[Nick H. Supervisor]

Either Neowin reported this sometime last year - maybe the year before - or I had a fever dream about it happening.

It doesn't change the fact that it's a screwed up situation. You don't own your device anymore, even when it is physically in your possession. That's not right.

[neufuse Veteran]

On 06/05/2026 at 16:43, Nick H. said:

Either Neowin reported this sometime last year - maybe the year before - or I had a fever dream about it happening.

It doesn't change the fact that it's a screwed up situation. You don't own your device anymore, even when it is physically in your possession. That's not right.

remember when you didnt own phones? (at least in the USA) ah good times................

[PsYcHoKiLLa]

So, what, it's a subscription for ink cartridges?

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

On 07/05/2026 at 09:18, PsYcHoKiLLa said:

So, what, it's a subscription for ink cartridges?

Essentially yes, but also one that the printer checks online and validates - and then refuses to print if not.  The user should be aware of this at the time of purchase.

[+Warwagon MVC]

The video is a little confusing. She said she bought the ink with her own money. 

HP does have an subscription  called "Instant Ink", where if you are not connected to the internet on the printer, it won't let you print.

If she doesn't have instant ink I would have thought she could still print.

So it sounds like we are not getting the whole story, sounds like she got her ink through instant ink, not via going out to the store and buying it.

[+Eternal Tempest MVC]

Could it be a printer from the All-in Plan?
https://www.hp.com/us-en/all-in-plan/printers.html

Looks like you're leasing a printer.

(From Site)

Enjoy hassle-free printing with the HP All-In Plan

Your plan includes:

New HP printer

Ink delivery and optional paper add-on service²

Continuous printer coverage³

Flexible plan options, starting at

$7.99/month⁵

No upfront cost⁴

30-day risk-free trial⁴

Shipping included¹¹

Amount due at lease signing: $0. Monthly payments: $7.99 for 24 months. Total charges: $191.76, plus any additional page sets, optional paper, and taxes. Fees apply if cancelled after trial period.

[+Warwagon MVC]

On 07/05/2026 at 14:21, Eternal Tempest said:

Could it be a printer from the All-in Plan?
https://www.hp.com/us-en/all-in-plan/printers.html

Looks like you're leasing a printer.

(From Site)

Enjoy hassle-free printing with the HP All-In Plan

Your plan includes:

New HP printer

Ink delivery and optional paper add-on service²

Continuous printer coverage³

Flexible plan options, starting at

$7.99/month⁵

No upfront cost⁴

30-day risk-free trial⁴

Shipping included¹¹

Amount due at lease signing: $0. Monthly payments: $7.99 for 24 months. Total charges: $191.76, plus any additional page sets, optional paper, and taxes. Fees apply if cancelled after trial period.

I was facepalming the service not your post.

If only people could just be happy with a B&W laser printer. Who really prints that much color anyway.