Cancel HP+: Step-by-Step Guide

How to cancel HP+ and reclaim control of your printing budget

Why you're paying for HP+ and what it's really costing you

HP+ seemed like a smart choice when you bought your printer. You received a discounted device bundled with reliable ink delivery and automatic replenishment. Then the monthly charges started mounting, and you realised you were locked into a two-year contract paying for pages you never printed. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone-and Tocancel is here to help you understand your options and break free.

HP+ is not a printer purchase. It's a subscription commitment that locks you into Instant Ink with automatic monthly charges deducted from your account. You pay upfront for a monthly page allowance whether you use it or not. If you exceed your limit, your costs rise automatically. This model benefits HP's revenue stream far more than your budget.

Let's be clear about the financial reality. A £9.99 monthly subscription for 100 pages sounds reasonable until you realise it's £119.88 per year for a service tied to your printer. Over the standard two-year commitment, that's £239.76 in subscription fees alone, before you factor in your upfront printer cost. Many UK consumers discover too late that they could have purchased a standard printer and paid for replacement ink cartridges separately at a fraction of the total cost.

The table above shows the true cost comparison. If you're printing fewer than 50 pages per month on average, you're overpaying significantly. Check your printing history over the last three months-how many pages did you actually print? If the number is consistently below your monthly allowance, cancellation makes financial sense.

Should you cancel HP+ right now

You should cancel if you're printing less than your monthly allowance, if the recurring charges exceed your actual needs, or if you've found cheaper alternatives. The decision rests with you, but Tocancel recommends reviewing your printing habits first. Open your HP account and check the page count for the last 90 days. Are you paying for unused allowances? Is unopened ink accumulating in your cupboard? If yes, cancellation is the right move.

Remember that HP+ includes automatic ink replenishment-cartridges arrive whether you need them or not. This design prioritises HP's recurring revenue over your household budget. If you're storing unused supplies, that's a clear signal you've chosen the wrong tier or outgrown the service entirely. Cancelling puts you back in control of your spending and your printer.

Your legal rights when cancelling HP+

UK consumer law gives you specific protections when cancelling a subscription service like HP+. Understanding these rights is your first step toward confident action.

The consumer rights act 2015 and your 14-day cooling-off period

If you bought HP+ online or at distance (which most UK consumers do), you have a legal right to cancel within 14 days of purchase without giving a reason. This is called the cooling-off period, and it applies regardless of HP's contract terms. You can invoke this right by email, phone, or your online account-no explanation needed, and HP must refund your money within 14 days of your cancellation request.

Your legal position: The Consumer Rights Act 2015 Section 28 protects you. HP cannot refuse a cancellation within this window, and they cannot impose cancellation fees or penalties during the cooling-off period.

If you're past the 14-day window, your rights shift but don't disappear. If HP+ was sold to you with misleading claims about cost or value, or if the service is not working as described, you can still cite the Consumer Rights Act 2015 as grounds for early termination and a partial refund. Additionally, under the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977, any cancellation fees HP charges must be reasonable and transparent-they cannot be punitive.

What to do if HP refuses to cancel

If HP rejects your cancellation request or charges unreasonable fees, escalate your complaint to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) or Citizens Advice Consumer Service. Both organisations enforce consumer rights on behalf of UK consumers. Tocancel recommends documenting every communication with HP-save all emails, note call dates and times, and record the names of support staff. This evidence strengthens your case if you need to escalate.

If you paid by credit card, you can also request a chargeback through your bank if HP continues to charge you after cancellation. Your card issuer can reverse unauthorised charges within a specific timeframe. This is a powerful consumer protection tool and should be your second-to-last resort before formal complaint.

How to cancel HP+ step by step

Tocancel provides clear, sequential steps to cancel your subscription without confusion or hidden obstacles.

Method 1: cancel through your HP account online

This is the fastest and most straightforward method. You'll have a record of your cancellation request, and HP will send you written confirmation.

1. Visit the HP website (hp.com/en-gb) and sign into your account using your email and password.
2. Navigate to "Subscriptions" or "My Purchases" in your account dashboard.
3. Find HP+ or "Instant Ink" in your active subscriptions list.
4. Click "Manage subscription" or "Cancel subscription" next to HP+.
5. Follow the prompts. HP may offer a discount to keep you-ignore it unless you genuinely want to stay.
6. Read the cancellation confirmation carefully and confirm your cancellation.
7. HP will email you a cancellation confirmation within 24 hours. Save this email.

Immediately after cancellation, verify that your account shows "Cancelled" or "Inactive" next to HP+. Check your payment method to ensure no further charges are pending. This method typically completes within one business day.

Method 2: cancel by phone

If you prefer speaking to someone or have difficulty navigating online, phone cancellation is effective-but record the conversation details.

1. Call HP Customer Support on the number shown in your HP account or on your printer documentation. The main UK number is available on hp.com/en-gb/contact.
2. Confirm you're speaking to the right department-ask to be transferred to "Subscriptions" or "Instant Ink cancellation."
3. Provide your account email and the last four digits of your registered payment method for verification.
4. Clearly state: "I wish to cancel my HP+ subscription effective immediately."
5. Write down the support agent's name, the call date, time, and a reference number (HP provides these for all calls).
6. Ask the agent to email you a cancellation confirmation-do not hang up until you have confirmation that it will be sent.
7. Request a confirmation email immediately after the call ends.

Phone cancellation creates a paper trail. Tocancel recommends this method if you're concerned about dispute or if you need to cancel urgently. Always save the reference number-it's your proof of cancellation if HP fails to process it.

Method 3: cancel by post (if online and phone methods fail)

If HP's online and phone channels are unresponsive, you can send a formal written cancellation request by post. This method provides legal documentation of your intent.

1. Write a short letter stating: "I hereby cancel my HP+ subscription effective immediately. Account holder: [Your name]. Email: [Your email]. Subscription start date: [Date]. Reference number (if you have one): [Number]."
2. Include a copy of your most recent HP+ invoice or account statement as proof of the subscription.
3. Send the letter via Special Delivery (with proof of postage) to HP's UK customer service address. Check hp.com/en-gb/contact for the current address.
4. Keep the Royal Mail receipt showing the delivery date.
5. Follow up with an email to HP support containing the same message and attaching a scan of your posted letter and Royal Mail receipt.

Postal cancellation takes longer (typically 7-14 business days) but creates undeniable proof of your cancellation request. This method is your strongest position if you later need to dispute a charge or escalate to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service.

What happens after you cancel HP+

Cancellation doesn't end on the day you submit your request-you need to verify that HP has fully processed it and that no further charges occur.

Verify your cancellation is complete

Within 24-48 hours of your cancellation request, log back into your HP account and check that HP+ is marked as "Cancelled" or "Inactive." Your account should clearly show the cancellation date. If the subscription still appears active, contact HP immediately and reference your cancellation request number.

Check your payment method (debit or credit card) for any pending charges. HP should not charge you again after your cancellation date. If a charge appears, contact your bank immediately and inform them you've cancelled the service. Your bank can reverse the charge if HP is billing you fraudulently.

What you can still do with your printer

Cancelling HP+ does not disable your printer. You'll simply lose automatic ink replenishment and revert to manual ink purchasing. You can buy third-party ink cartridges at significantly lower cost from retailers like Amazon, Currys, or independent suppliers. Your printer will function normally-HP+ cancellation carries no technical penalty.

If your printer was heavily discounted because you agreed to HP+, check your original purchase terms. Some promotions tie the discount to the two-year commitment. Cancelling early might make the printer more expensive in retrospect, but you're no longer locked into the subscription-you can still use the printer with standard ink.

Requesting a refund after cancellation

You're entitled to a refund for unused months of HP+ if you cancel before your subscription renews. If you cancelled on day 15 of your monthly billing cycle, you may qualify for a refund for the remaining 14-15 days of that month. Tocancel recommends requesting a refund explicitly in writing (email or post) if HP doesn't offer one automatically.

Include this in your refund request: "I cancelled my HP+ subscription on [date]. I request a refund for unused days in the current billing cycle from [cancellation date] to [next billing date]. My account email is [email]. Please process this refund to [payment method] within 14 days."

HP typically processes refunds within 5-10 business days. Check your bank or card statement to confirm the refund has arrived. If it doesn't appear within 14 days, escalate to your bank or contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling HP+

Cancelling a subscription feels stressful, especially when you're trying to reclaim control of your budget. Many consumers make preventable errors that delay their cancellation or cost them money unnecessarily.

Mistake 1: cancelling during your billing cycle without requesting a refund

If you cancel mid-cycle, you may lose money. If your subscription renews on the 20th of each month and you cancel on the 5th, you've paid for a full month but only used 5 days. Always request a refund for unused days in writing-include the dates and ask for processing within 14 days. Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers recover partial refunds they didn't know they could claim by simply asking.

Mistake 2: not saving your cancellation confirmation

HP's confirmation email is your legal proof of cancellation. If you delete it or lose track of it, you have no evidence of your request if HP continues to bill you. Save every cancellation-related email, text message, or call reference number in a folder. Screenshot your account showing the "Cancelled" status. This documentation is essential if you need to escalate a dispute.

Mistake 3: assuming the cancellation worked without verification

Just because you clicked "Cancel" doesn't mean HP has processed it. Log back into your account three to five days after cancellation and confirm the subscription status has changed. Check your bank or card statement on your next expected billing date to ensure no charge was applied. Complacency here is costly-Tocancel recommends setting a phone reminder for your usual billing date to double-check.

Mistake 4: forgetting to contact your bank if HP charges you again

If HP continues to charge you after cancellation, don't assume it's an error that will resolve itself. Contact your bank immediately and ask for a chargeback (a reversal of the charge). Your bank takes up to 60 days to investigate, but they can recover your money even if it's been weeks since the fraudulent charge. The longer you wait, the weaker your case becomes.

Mistake 5: not escalating when HP refuses to cancel

If HP support tells you that you're locked in for two years and cannot cancel, they are misleading you. Under UK consumer law, you have rights that override contract terms in certain circumstances. Don't accept a refusal. Escalate to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service or ICO with your documentation. Tocancel recommends keeping records of every rejection so you have evidence for the regulator.

Checklist: cancelling HP+ successfully

Use this checklist to ensure you've completed every step and haven't missed anything critical.

• Review your printing history for the last 90 days and confirm you're paying for unused allowance.
• Note your HP+ subscription start date, account email, and current monthly cost.
• Choose your cancellation method (online is fastest; phone is best if you need confirmation; post is strongest legal evidence).
• Submit your cancellation request using your chosen method.
• Save your cancellation confirmation (email, reference number, or postal receipt).
• Wait 24-48 hours, then log into your HP account to verify the subscription is marked "Cancelled."
• Write down the cancellation confirmation date for your records.
• Request a refund in writing if HP doesn't offer one automatically for unused days.
• Check your bank or card statement on your expected next billing date to confirm no charge was applied.
• If HP charges you again, contact your bank immediately and request a chargeback.
• Keep all documentation (emails, invoices, confirmation numbers) for at least 12 months.

Comparing your options after HP+ cancellation

Once you've cancelled HP+, you have several paths forward for your printer and ink supply.

After cancelling HP+, you're not obligated to use HP's ink ever again. Third-party cartridges are cheaper, legal (they don't void your warranty in the UK under consumer law), and widely available. If you've missed the automatic convenience of Instant Ink, you can rejoin without the two-year HP+ contract-simply subscribe to Instant Ink month-to-month and cancel anytime. This gives you flexibility without financial entrapment.

Reviews and consumer feedback on HP+ cancellation

Real consumers share their cancellation experiences. Patterns emerge.

Many UK consumers report that cancelling HP+ online took fewer than five minutes, but others say their cancellation didn't process the first time and they had to phone support. Most found that having a reference number and sending a follow-up email prevented disputes. Several mentioned that HP offered discounts during the cancellation process-these offers are optional, and accepting them restarts your two-year commitment, so ignore them unless you genuinely want to stay.

Common praise: "Cancellation was straightforward once I found the right menu item." Common complaint: "HP kept charging me for a month after I cancelled because they processed my request on the last day of my billing cycle." The lesson is clear-cancel well before your renewal date and verify the status within 48 hours.

Key takeaways and your next step

You have the right to cancel HP+ regardless of your contract terms, particularly if you're within 14 days of purchase or if the service was misrepresented to you. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 protects you, and enforcement bodies like the Citizens Advice Consumer Service stand behind those rights. Your printer will continue to work after cancellation-you'll simply buy ink independently and regain control of your budget.

The fastest path forward is cancelling online through your HP account. Save your confirmation email. Verify within 48 hours that the subscription is marked cancelled. Request a refund for unused days if HP doesn't offer one automatically. Check your bank statement on your next expected billing date to confirm no fraudulent charge occurs. If HP refuses to cancel or continues to bill you, escalate to your bank or the Citizens Advice Consumer Service-they have the power to force HP to comply.

Tocancel has helped thousands of UK consumers cancel subscriptions that felt permanent. HP+ is not permanent. You can break free, and you can do it legally and confidently. Start with the online cancellation method today-it typically takes five minutes, and you'll have written proof within hours. Your budget and your peace of mind are worth the action.

HP customer service address (UK):

HP Inc. Customer Support
Imaging and Printing Group
Cain Road
Bracknell
Berkshire RG12 1HN
United Kingdom

Always reference your account email and the last four digits of your payment method when contacting HP. For urgent escalations, contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service or file a complaint with the ICO. Tocancel recommends keeping records of all communications until your refund is confirmed and no further charges appear on your statement.