I read this same complaint in several places: as soon as you cancel, or never register for after the âgrace periodâ, the automatic ink shipments - the printer starts acting up and soon stops functioning. Based on my own experience, I fully believe it. After a minimal use it took just a few month for this paperweight to stop working. At first it requested the ink to be replaced. I did. Did it again, used the whole supply of inks - three sets, but didnât get even one page printed.
Trouble shooting - by three experienced people - using all the possible resources, didnât yeld any results, except for deep frustration. Another Envy before this one lasted about 2 years before dying in similar circumstances.
Never again any HP product for me.
I ran across a reddit thread about the sneakiness of HPâs printers and their ink cartridges. Ink cartridges can be still halfway filled with ink, yet the printer holds the customer hostage by refusing to print due some random reason associated with a drop dead date the customer is assigned once the printer is activated, or HPâs insistence the printer ink cartridges are empty.
I think thereâs a distinct possibility the company is comprised of nothing but money grubbing accountants who are only concerned with profit margins, keeping the shareholders happy, and creating innovative ideas on how to screw over customers by any means possible.
Is my opinion shaded by previous experience with HP printers? Thereâs a very distinct possibility of this as well.
At the beginning of this century I purchased from Staples an HP PC, mid-high end, with 2 yrs warranty. I also paid a hefty price for additional 4 yrs extension. I sighed happily at the prospect of six years certainty and for a good measure added upgraded version of HP printer, as my older HP one was no longer receiving any upgrades. The printer lasted a year past itâs warranty, so my sigh that time around wasnât very happy, but, oh well. Just a bit over three years of its life under the paid for six yrs warranty the PC kicked the bucket. Staples told me that they transferred all paperwork to the HP, as per their contract. Small print, but that was correct. I contacted HP. After long back and forth about the age of the PC I was finally informed that the computer was obsolete and they cannot do anything about it. I argued that I paid for the warranty and itâs up to them to fulfill it. After paying me a few rude âcomplementsâ the man asked me if I was dull or deaf. He then said very rudely: âlady, listen to me very carefully. Your printer is old and dead! It is o b s o l e t . You can buy a new one if you want. Thatâs it.â âWhat about my money and the warranty?â Itâs voided. VOIDED!
Well, I never recovered my money. I swore off the HP forever. Only, stupid me, 18 years later I went and bought another printer, then another. Stupid me 
Fresh clearance e-waste. Shove HP+ up their ink orifice.