Bought an HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e, 8135e, 9125e, or another HP printer whose model ends in “e”? One choice during setup decides whether that printer will ever accept anything but HP’s own ink. Here’s what HP+ is, how to skip it, which printers and cartridges it affects, and where compatible HP 923 and 936 cartridges stand today.
Quick answer
- HP+ is a program built into HP printers whose model names end in “e.” Once it’s activated, HP says the printer requires Original HP ink for its entire life.
- HP+ is optional. You can skip it during setup. HP doesn’t offer a way to turn it off after it’s activated.
- Printers without the “e” (like the OfficeJet Pro 8125 and 9125) don’t have HP+. HP’s Dynamic Security still blocks cartridges that don’t have an HP chip.
- Compatible HP 923 and 936 cartridges are still new. They only have a chance of working in printers that were never enrolled in HP+ or Instant Ink, and even then results vary. Talk to us before you order.
What is HP+?
HP describes HP+ as a cloud-based printing system built into select HP printers. HP says it isn’t a subscription and doesn’t cost anything by itself. What it does cost you is choice. Here’s the trade, using HP’s own terms from its HP+ FAQ:
| Topic | What HP says | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Ink | Requires Original HP ink for the lifetime of the printer | No compatible or remanufactured cartridges, ever |
| Account and internet | Requires an HP account and an internet connection | The printer has to stay online and signed in |
| Turning it off | Once activated, HP+ is “embedded in the device” | HP doesn’t offer a way to remove it |
| Benefits | An extended HP warranty and an Instant Ink trial | Useful only if you were going to buy HP ink anyway |
| Is it required? | You “can choose to skip HP+ activation during printer setup” | Skipping it keeps your options open |
What the “e” in an HP model name means
The small “e” at the end of a model name, like 9125e, marks a printer that’s eligible for HP+. The same printer is often sold without the “e,” too. In 2026, HP’s own store sells mostly the non-“e” versions of these OfficeJet Pro models.
Model ends in “e” (for example, OfficeJet Pro 9125e)
HP+ is offered during setup. If you activate it, the printer is locked to Original HP ink for life. If you skip it, the printer behaves like the non-“e” version.
No “e” (for example, OfficeJet Pro 9125)
No HP+. HP still says these printers are meant to work only with cartridges that have a new or reused HP chip, and it uses Dynamic Security to block others.
What’s Dynamic Security? It’s HP’s chip check. The printer reads the chip on each cartridge and can reject cartridges whose chip wasn’t made by HP. Remanufactured cartridges that reuse an original HP chip pass the check. HP has delivered Dynamic Security through firmware updates. After a 2025 class-action settlement, HP said it will keep letting owners decline those updates (The Register).
Which printers and cartridges are affected?
Two OfficeJet Pro families use HP’s newest cartridge lines. Prices are from HP.com on October 14, 2026.
| Printer series | Models | Standard cartridges (HP price, yield) | High-yield “e” EvoMore cartridges (HP price, yield) |
|---|---|---|---|
| OfficeJet Pro 8120 series | 8122e, 8125e, 8128e, 8135e, 8138e, 8139e, and the non-“e” 8125, 8135, 8139 | HP 923 black $36.99, about 500 pages. Cyan, magenta, yellow $18.99 each, about 400 pages. | HP 923e black $72.99, 1,000 pages. Cyan, magenta, yellow $37.99 each, 800 pages. |
| OfficeJet Pro 9110, 9120, and 9130 series | 9110b, 9117b, 9122e, 9125e, 9128e, 9130b, 9135e, 9720e, 9730e, and the non-“e” 9125, 9135 | HP 936 black $49.99, about 1,250 pages. Cyan, magenta, yellow $31.99 each, about 800 pages. | HP 936e black $94.99, about 2,500 pages. Cyan, magenta, yellow $62.99 each, about 1,650 pages. |
The “e” in the cartridge name (923e, 936e) is HP’s label for its high-yield EvoMore cartridges. It’s not the same thing as an HP+ printer. HP says the EvoMore cartridges fit like the standard ones. A full set of four 936e EvoMore cartridges costs $283.96 on HP.com.
Will compatible ink work in my printer?
Answer these questions in order. The first “stop” answer is the one that applies to you.
-
Does your printer’s model name end in “e”?
- Yes
- Go to question 2.
- No
- No HP+. Go to question 3.
-
Did you (or whoever set it up) activate HP+?
- Yes, or not sure
- Stop. Use Original HP cartridges. If you’re not sure, check your HP account or the HP app for HP+ on that printer before buying anything else.
- No, it was skipped
- Go to question 3.
-
Is the printer enrolled in HP Instant Ink right now?
- Yes
- Stop. While you’re enrolled, the printer uses Instant Ink cartridges. HP support says those cartridges stop working when you cancel, so plan to have replacements ready.
- No
- Go to question 4.
-
Has the printer installed recent firmware updates?
- Yes, or automatic updates are on
- Compatible cartridges may be rejected (see what HP cartridge error messages mean). Turn off automatic updates going forward. See how to block HP firmware updates.
- No
- Your printer is the best case for compatible cartridges. Contact us before you order so we can confirm.
How to skip HP+ during setup
If your printer is still in the box, these steps keep your options open. Screens vary by model and app version, so read each one before you tap Continue.
- Read every setup screen
HP+ is usually offered as part of setup in the HP app or on the printer’s screen, often next to the Instant Ink trial. Don’t click through on autopilot.
- Decline HP+ activation
HP says you can skip HP+ during setup. You’ll give up HP’s HP+ benefits, and you keep the choice of which cartridges to use later.
- Skip the Instant Ink trial if you don’t want the subscription
After the trial, HP charges a monthly fee unless you cancel, and enrolled cartridges stop working after you cancel.
- Turn off automatic firmware updates
Look for printer update settings on the printer’s control panel or in its built-in web page, and choose to be notified instead of updating automatically. Our guide shows how to block updates at your router.
- Use the cartridges that came in the box first
Your printer comes with setup cartridges. Use them up, and keep the empties. Original HP empties are what remanufacturers rebuild.
Already activated HP+? HP doesn’t offer a way to turn it off, and we don’t recommend trying workarounds. Buy Original HP cartridges for that printer, or think about a different printer for your next purchase.
Compatible HP 923 and 936 cartridges: where things stand
We’ll be straight with you: compatible cartridges for these two families are still new, and they don’t work reliably in every printer yet. Here’s why newer HP cartridges are harder to replace:
- New chips get blocked. Dynamic Security rejects cartridges whose chip wasn’t made by HP. Third-party chip makers need time to catch up with each new cartridge line.
- Remanufacturing needs empties. Remanufactured cartridges reuse original HP shells and chips. For a cartridge line this new, there aren’t many empty originals to rebuild yet.
- Firmware keeps changing. A printer that accepts a cartridge today can reject it after an update, which is why we recommend turning off automatic updates.
We carry high-yield compatible sets that replace the HP 923 and 923e (rated 1,000 pages black, 800 pages each color) and the HP 936 and 936e (rated 2,500 pages black, 1,650 pages each color). They’re meant only for printers that were never enrolled in HP+ or Instant Ink. If your printer doesn’t qualify, buy Original HP cartridges instead. We’d rather tell you that than sell you cartridges that won’t work.
Why we ask before we ship
When you order compatible HP 923 or 936 cartridges from us, we’ll ask you to confirm three things before we ship:
- Your exact modelThe full name from the front of the printer, including any “e” or “b” at the end.
- No HP+HP+ was never activated on the printer.
- No Instant InkThe printer isn’t enrolled in Instant Ink right now.
If something doesn’t add up, we’ll tell you before we ship. Questions? Contact us or call (866) 461-3801. Our returns and exchanges policy has the details on returns.
Shopping for a printer? Read this first
If low ink costs matter to you, we don’t recommend these OfficeJet Pro models right now. HP’s own high-yield cartridges are expensive, and aftermarket options aren’t reliable yet. Printers with well-established compatible supplies cost far less to run.
See our picks in Why is printer ink so expensive? We priced 43 printers, or compare printer types in laser vs inkjet: which is cheaper to run. Shopping for an HP laser printer? Avoid models ending in “e” or “we”. Here’s why.
Frequently asked questions
Can I turn off HP+ after it’s activated?
HP doesn’t offer a way to. Its FAQ says HP+ is “embedded in the device” once activated and requires Original HP ink for the printer’s lifetime.
What does the “e” mean on HP printers?
It marks a printer that’s eligible for HP+. You can still skip HP+ during setup. The version without the “e” doesn’t offer HP+ at all.
Does the Instant Ink free trial lock my printer?
While you’re enrolled, the printer uses Instant Ink cartridges. HP support says those cartridges stop working when you cancel. On “e” printers, the trial is usually offered alongside HP+ during setup, so read those screens carefully.
Can a firmware update block compatible cartridges?
Yes. HP has used firmware updates to roll out Dynamic Security. HP lets owners decline these updates, so turn off automatic updates if you plan to use compatible cartridges.
Do compatible HP 923 and 936 cartridges work?
Sometimes, and only in printers that were never enrolled in HP+ or Instant Ink. They’re still new, and results vary by printer and firmware. That’s why we confirm your printer before we ship.
Is HP+ worth it?
Only if you plan to buy Original HP ink for the life of the printer anyway. You’d get HP’s extended warranty and trial offers. If you want the option of cheaper cartridges, skip it.
Not sure if your printer qualifies?
Tell us your exact model and how it was set up, and we’ll tell you honestly whether compatible cartridges are a good idea.