HP DeskJet 2800e and HP+: Why the Printer Requires Internet, an HP Account, and Original HP Cartridges

Last Updated on 30.06.2026 by DriverNew

This article will help you understand why an HP DeskJet 2800e MFP may require an internet connection, signing in to an HP account, installing HP app or HP Smart, and using Original HP cartridges.

This article is especially relevant for models with the letter e: HP DeskJet 2820e, HP DeskJet 2821e, HP DeskJet 2822e, HP DeskJet 2823e, HP DeskJet 2842e, HP DeskJet 2852e, and HP DeskJet 2855e.

Some of the information may also be useful for HP DeskJet 2820, HP DeskJet 2821, HP DeskJet 2822, HP DeskJet 2823, HP DeskJet 2828, HP DeskJet 2829, HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 2874, HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 2875, HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 2876, HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 2877, HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 2878, and HP DeskJet Ink Advantage 2879.

Important: HP+ requirements mainly apply to models and devices on which HP+ has been activated. If you have a regular model without HP+, some restrictions may not apply to it.

In Short: Why the Problem Occurs

A user buys an HP DeskJet 2800e MFP, connects it to a computer via USB or Wi-Fi, and expects a normal driver installation. Instead, the software may require internet access, an HP account, installation of HP app or HP Smart, and printer registration.

This happens because some HP DeskJet 2800e models support HP+. HP+ is not a regular driver, but a separate HP feature system that may be linked to an HP account, internet access, and Original HP cartridges.

Because of this, it is important to distinguish between four different things:

• printer driver — required for normal printing and scanning in Windows;
• HP app or HP Smart — the HP app for setup, management, printing, scanning, and cloud features;
• HP+ — a system of additional HP features with separate requirements;
• Instant Ink — an ink subscription that works according to its own rules.

If these concepts are mixed up, the user may think that it is impossible to install the driver at all without an HP account. In practice, for normal printing and scanning in Windows, you can often use HP Easy Start and a USB connection. However, this does not cancel HP+ requirements if HP+ has already been activated.

What HP app and HP Smart Are

HP app is HP’s modern app for setting up and managing printers. In some instructions, regions, and older software versions, the name HP Smart is still used.

With HP app or HP Smart, you can:

• add a printer;
• connect the printer to Wi-Fi;
• print documents;
• scan;
• check ink levels;
• receive error messages;
• use some cloud features;
• manage HP services.

However, HP app and HP Smart have an important disadvantage for some users: the app may require internet access, signing in to an HP account, or access to HP servers. If the internet connection is unstable, Microsoft Store is unavailable, or HP servers open poorly in your country or network, setup through HP app may not complete.

What HP+ Is

HP+ is a set of additional HP features for some printer models. Usually, such models have the letter e in the name, for example HP DeskJet 2820e or HP DeskJet 2855e.

HP+ may be linked to the following requirements:

• an HP account;
• connecting the printer to the internet;
• using Original HP cartridges;
• setup through the HP app;
• connection to HP services.

The most important point: if HP+ has been activated on the printer, these requirements may remain permanently. Therefore, before activating HP+, you should carefully read all messages on the screen.

What Instant Ink Is

Instant Ink is HP’s ink subscription service. It is not the same as HP+.

With Instant Ink, the user usually pays not just for cartridges, but for a certain number of pages per month. HP may send subscription cartridges when the ink level becomes low.

Important point: Instant Ink subscription cartridges are tied to the service. If the subscription is canceled or there is a problem with it, such cartridges may stop working. In this case, to continue printing, you may need to buy regular cartridges suitable for your printer model.

Therefore, you need to distinguish between:

• regular cartridges — purchased separately and used as supplies;
• Instant Ink subscription cartridges — linked to the Instant Ink subscription;
• HP+ requirements — may require Original HP cartridges if HP+ is activated.

How HP+ Differs from Instant Ink

Why the Printer Requires an HP Account

An HP account may be required in several cases:

• you are setting up the printer through HP app or HP Smart;
• you are activating HP+;
• you are connecting Instant Ink;
• you want to use HP cloud features;
• you want to manage the printer through HP services.

If you only need normal printing and scanning from a computer, an HP account may not be required for the driver installation itself. In this case, you can try installing the MFP through the official HP Easy Start package.

Why the Printer Requires Internet

Internet access may be required for:

• downloading HP app or HP Smart;
• signing in to an HP account;
• registering the printer;
• activating HP+;
• Instant Ink operation;
• checking the status of subscription cartridges;
• software updates;
• cloud features and remote printing.

If HP+ is activated, internet access may be required not only during the first setup, but also later.

If HP+ is not activated and you only need normal local printing from a computer, in many cases you can use a USB connection and the HP Easy Start driver.

Why the Printer Requires Original HP Cartridges

If HP+ is activated on the printer, the device may require Original HP cartridges. In this situation, installing compatible, remanufactured, or refilled cartridges may cause errors, cartridge problem messages, or printing refusal.

Restrictions may also be related to Instant Ink. Instant Ink subscription cartridges are designed to work within the subscription. If the subscription is canceled or inactive, such cartridges may be disabled.

If you see a cartridge error, such as E0, first check:

• whether the cartridge is installed correctly;
• whether the protective tape has been removed;
• whether the cartridge is suitable for your model and region;
• whether starter cartridges are being used during first setup;
• whether HP+ has been activated;
• whether Instant Ink subscription cartridges are being used after the subscription was canceled.

Can You Install HP DeskJet 2800e Without HP app?

For normal driver installation in Windows 10 and Windows 11, you can often use the official HP Easy Start file:

Download HPEasyStart-15.8.1-DJ2800_57_2_1683_3_Webpack.exe

This file is especially useful if:

• HP app does not install;
• Microsoft Store is unavailable;
• HP app requires an HP account;
• the program cannot connect to HP servers;
• you need normal printing and scanning from a computer;
• you want to connect the MFP by USB;
• HP services work unstably in your country or network.

However, it is important to understand: HP Easy Start helps install the driver and normal print and scan features. It does not cancel HP+ terms if HP+ has already been activated, and it does not replace Instant Ink if subscription cartridges are being used.

How to Install the Driver Through HP Easy Start

Install it as follows:

1. Download the HPEasyStart-15.8.1-DJ2800_57_2_1683_3_Webpack.exe file.
2. Run the file by double-clicking it.
3. If Windows asks for permission to run it, click Yes.
4. Wait for the HP DeskJet 2800 series window to open.
5. When asked about sending data, click No.
6. If you are offered to download HP Easy Start, click Continue with current software.
7. On the welcome screen, click Continue.
8. Select the connection method: USB cable or Wireless network.
9. Follow the installer instructions.

If you need the simplest installation for one computer, select USB cable. This often helps when HP app does not work or you cannot sign in to an HP account.

Can You Use the Printer Only by USB?

Yes, for normal printing and scanning from one computer, a USB connection is often the best option.

A USB connection is convenient if:

• the printer is located next to the computer;
• Wi-Fi works unreliably;
• HP app cannot find the printer;
• Microsoft Store is unavailable;
• you cannot sign in to an HP account;
• you need to quickly set up printing without cloud features.

However, there is an important limitation: if the printer is linked to HP+ or Instant Ink, a simple USB connection may not remove the requirements for internet access, an HP account, or Original HP cartridges. USB solves the task of local connection to a computer, but it does not cancel HP service rules.

What May Be Unavailable with a USB Connection

If you use only USB, the following may be unavailable or limited:

• remote printing;
• HP cloud features;
• ePrint;
• some HP app features;
• printer management over the internet;
• some Instant Ink features;
• some HP+ features.

For normal document printing and scanning from one computer, this is usually not critical. However, if you need cloud features, the printer must be connected to the internet and set up through HP services.

What to Do If HP app Requires an HP Account

If HP app or HP Smart requires signing in to an HP account, but you only need normal printing and scanning, try installing the driver through HP Easy Start.

1. Close HP app or HP Smart.
2. Turn off VPN if it is enabled.
3. Download HPEasyStart-15.8.1-DJ2800_57_2_1683_3_Webpack.exe.
4. Run the installation.
5. When asked about sending data, click No.
6. If you are offered to download HP Easy Start, click Continue with current software.
7. Select USB cable for simple local installation or Wireless network for Wi-Fi.
8. Complete the installation.

If printing and scanning work after this, HP app may not be needed for ordinary use.

What to Do If HP app Does Not Connect to HP Servers

In some countries, networks, or with some internet providers, access to HP servers may be unstable. Because of this, HP app may freeze, fail to open, fail to complete setup, or repeatedly require signing in again.

In this case:

1. Check the internet connection.
2. Turn off VPN or proxy if they are enabled.
3. Try another network, for example mobile internet.
4. Restart the computer and router.
5. If HP app still does not work, use HP Easy Start to install the driver.
6. For reliable local operation, select a USB connection.

If you need HP+, Instant Ink, or cloud features, the problem with access to HP servers still needs to be resolved. Without communication with HP services, these features may not work correctly.

What to Do If You Do Not Want to Activate HP+

During first setup, carefully read all HP software windows. If you are offered HP+, Instant Ink, or additional services, do not agree automatically.

Before activating HP+, it is important to understand:

• HP+ may require a permanent internet connection;
• HP+ may require an HP account;
• HP+ may require Original HP cartridges;
• after HP+ activation, it may be impossible to opt out of these terms;
• a USB connection does not always cancel HP+ requirements.

If you want to use the printer as a regular local MFP, without cloud features and subscriptions, choose a normal driver installation and do not connect additional services if you do not need them.

What to Do If HP+ Has Already Been Activated

If HP+ has already been activated, simply removing HP app or reinstalling the driver may not remove HP+ requirements.

In this case:

1. Connect the printer to the internet.
2. Sign in to the HP account that was used to set up the printer.
3. Make sure Original HP cartridges are being used.
4. Check the printer status in HP app or on the HP website.
5. If Instant Ink is used, check the subscription status.
6. If a cartridge error appears, check whether the cartridges are suitable for the model and region.

For normal printing from a computer, you can try a USB connection, but if the printer requires internet access or Original HP cartridges because of HP+, these requirements may remain.

What to Do If Instant Ink Was Canceled and the Printer Does Not Print

If you used Instant Ink and canceled the subscription, subscription cartridges may stop working. This does not always mean that the printer or driver is broken.

Check:

1. whether Instant Ink subscription cartridges are being used in the printer;
2. whether the Instant Ink subscription is active;
3. whether there are cartridge messages in HP app or HP Smart;
4. whether the printer is connected to the internet;
5. whether the installed cartridges are suitable for your model and region.

If the subscription is canceled, you may need to buy regular cartridges compatible with your printer model to continue printing.

What to Do If the Printer Does Not Accept a Compatible or Refilled Cartridge

If the printer does not accept a compatible, remanufactured, or refilled cartridge, there may be several reasons:

• the cartridge is not suitable for this model;
• the cartridge is not suitable for the printer’s region;
• the cartridge chip is damaged or not recognized;
• the cartridge is installed incorrectly;
• the protective tape has not been removed;
• the contacts are dirty;
• HP+ has been activated on the printer;
• an Instant Ink subscription cartridge is being used after the subscription was canceled.

What to do:

1. Remove the cartridge.
2. Check the cartridge number.
3. Check whether the protective tape has been removed.
4. Carefully clean the cartridge contacts with a dry, lint-free cloth.
5. Install the cartridge again until it clicks into place.
6. Restart the printer.
7. If the error remains, try an Original HP cartridge that is definitely suitable for your model and region.

If the error disappears with an Original cartridge, the problem was with the previously installed cartridge or compatibility restrictions.

How a Regular Model Differs from a Model with the Letter e

Models with the letter e are usually linked to modern HP services and may support HP+ or Instant Ink. For example: HP DeskJet 2820e, 2821e, 2822e, 2823e, 2842e, 2852e, and 2855e.

Regular models without the letter e, for example HP DeskJet 2820, 2821, 2822, 2823, 2828, and 2829, may not have the same HP+ requirements. However, for setup through HP app, ink checking, updates, and cloud features, internet access may still be required.

Before buying cartridges and setting up services, always check the exact printer model and HP regional terms.

When It Is Better to Use HP Easy Start Instead of HP app

Use HP Easy Start if:

• you need to install a normal print and scan driver;
• HP app does not work;
• HP Smart does not install;
• Microsoft Store is unavailable;
• you cannot sign in to an HP account;
• HP servers are unavailable or open unstably;
• you need to connect the printer by USB;
• the printer is needed only for one computer.

Use HP app or HP Smart if:

• you need HP cloud features;
• you need to connect HP+;
• Instant Ink is being used;
• you need to manage the printer through an HP account;
• you need to set up the printer through a phone;
• you need to use additional HP app features.

Common User Mistakes

Mistake 1. The User Thinks HP app and the Driver Are the Same Thing

HP app is an app for setup and management. The driver is a Windows component for printing and scanning. For ordinary printing, a driver installed through HP Easy Start is often enough.

Mistake 2. The User Activates HP+ Without Reading the Terms

Before activating HP+, you need to understand the requirements: internet access, an HP account, and Original HP cartridges. After activation, these requirements may remain.

Mistake 3. The User Canceled Instant Ink but Left Subscription Cartridges Installed

Instant Ink subscription cartridges may stop working after the subscription is canceled. Further printing may require a regular cartridge.

Mistake 4. The User Connects USB and Thinks This Will Disable HP+

A USB connection helps print from a computer, but it does not cancel HP+ requirements if HP+ is activated.

Mistake 5. The User Buys a Cartridge Only by Appearance

Cartridges may differ by model and region. Before buying, you need to check the exact cartridge number for your model.

Mistake 6. The User Downloads Drivers from Unverified Websites

Drivers should be downloaded only from the official HP website or through an official HP link. Third-party websites may distribute outdated, unsuitable, or dangerous files.

What You Should Not Do

• Do not activate HP+ automatically if you do not understand the terms.
• Do not treat HP+ and Instant Ink as the same service.
• Do not think that USB always cancels HP+ requirements.
• Do not use Instant Ink subscription cartridges after canceling the subscription if they have stopped working.
• Do not buy cartridges without checking the model and region.
• Do not download drivers from unverified websites.
• Do not remove and reinstall the driver many times in a row without checking the cartridges and HP+ status.

Short Step-by-Step Checklist

If HP DeskJet 2800e requires internet access, an HP account, or Original HP cartridges, follow these steps:

1. Check the exact printer model.
2. Check whether the name includes the letter e.
3. Check whether HP+ has been activated.
4. Check whether Instant Ink is being used.
5. If you need normal printing and scanning, download HPEasyStart-15.8.1-DJ2800_57_2_1683_3_Webpack.exe.
6. Run the installation through HP Easy Start.
7. When asked about sending data, click No.
8. If you are offered to download HP Easy Start, click Continue with current software.
9. For simple local installation, select USB cable.
10. If you need Wi-Fi, connect the printer to a 2.4 GHz network.
11. If HP+ has already been activated, connect the printer to the internet and use Original HP cartridges.
12. If Instant Ink was canceled, replace the subscription cartridges with regular cartridges suitable for your model.

The main point: HP app, HP+, Instant Ink, and the regular driver are different things. For normal printing and scanning in Windows, HP Easy Start and a USB connection are often enough. However, if HP+ has already been activated or Instant Ink cartridges are being used, additional HP requirements may apply.