HP 'Non-HP chip detected' error (dynamic security)
'Non-HP chip detected' or 'Cartridge(s) cannot be used' is HP's dynamic security message. The printer has checked the chip on an installed cartridge and found it is not a genuine HP chip (or is a cloned chip HP's firmware has since blocked). Printing is disabled until a cartridge with an HP chip is installed; scanning and other functions may also be affected on some models.
What causes it
- A compatible or remanufactured cartridge with a third-party chip
- A printer firmware update that blocked a previously working third-party chip
- A cartridge with a genuine HP chip that has been damaged or refilled incorrectly
- Dirty chip contacts causing a read failure that is reported as non-HP
- Regional mismatch between the cartridge and printer
How to fix it, in order
Work down the list and stop when the printer recovers. The steps are ordered from most likely and least invasive to last resort.
Identify which cartridge triggered the message
The control panel or HP Smart shows which colour is flagged. Remove that cartridge and look at the chip. Cartridges with a genuine HP chip (a cartridge remanufactured from an original HP shell) pass dynamic security; cartridges with a cloned chip do not.
Clean the contacts and reseat
Wipe the cartridge chip and the printer's contacts with a dry lint-free cloth and reinstall the cartridge firmly. A poor read can occasionally produce this message with a genuine cartridge.
Replace the cartridge with one that has an HP chip
Install a genuine HP cartridge, or a remanufactured cartridge that uses a reused original HP chip. Reputable remanufacturers state this clearly on the packaging.
Turn off automatic firmware updates
Open the printer's embedded web server (type its IP address into a browser), go to Tools or Web Services, and disable automatic firmware updates. On HP Smart you can also review the update setting. This prevents future updates from blocking cartridges that currently work, but note HP+ printers require updates and cannot opt out.
Check whether your printer is eligible for a reversal
In some regions HP has released firmware that removes dynamic security for specific models following legal settlements. Check HP's dynamic security support page for your model and region; if eligible, apply the update listed there.
Contact the cartridge supplier
If the cartridge was sold as compatible with your printer, the supplier should replace it with one that has an updated chip or refund it. Provide the firmware version shown on the printer's configuration page.
Stopping it happening again
When it is not worth fixing yourself
If you would rather not work through this alone, a printer specialist can take a look with you on a screen-share and tell you honestly whether the machine is worth saving.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bypass the non-HP chip message?
There is no bypass on the printer. The only options are a cartridge with an HP chip, or a firmware version for your model that does not enforce dynamic security, where HP has released one.
Why did my compatible cartridges stop working overnight?
The printer most likely installed a firmware update that added or changed the chip check. Disable automatic updates to prevent it happening to your next set.
Do HP+ printers always have dynamic security?
Yes. HP+ printers require genuine HP cartridges and an internet connection as a condition of the HP+ service, so third-party cartridges will not work on them.
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