Turn off HP Printer Firmware Updates

Update: 10 Sept, 2024 Although this article was published several years ago HP are still pursuing these tactics and they are not looking like letting up. The ACCC actually fined HP $1,000,000 as they deemed it unethical to block cartridges that were already installed in the printer. So basically the outcome was that HP are legally allowed to issue automatic updates but they must not affect cartridges that are already installed in the printer. How this makes it anymore ethical has me scratching my head in disbelief. So the updates will still render any outdated cartridges useless once the update is installed automatically without you even knowing it's been done.

At Ink Hub we now have a Unismart chip programmer which allows us to update the chips on the HP-955Xl cartridges the very day we ship them to customers. While this alleviates a great deal of the issues some customers don't use the cartridges for 6 months or so and by then there's been another update installed and once again the cartridges are useless.

HP are at it again trying to combat the generic printer cartridge market. HP don't seem to have the brains to realize how much this frustrates the consumer and they also seem to have a short memory in regards to their legal challenges with their last shonky firmware update. HP may make short term financial gains from these actions however long term I think that it frustrates the hell out of the end user and certainly has adverse affects on their long term printer sales.

For those who don't know, last time HP use these tactics they were reported to the ACCC and it cost them a heap of money. All end users that were affected by the updates were able to claim $50 each as compensation for their losses. We strongly recommend that people do the same again and call the ACCC and lodge your complaint against this unethical company.

Anyway below is what you will see when the printer tries to get you to upgrade your firmware. Don't bother upgrading even if you only use genuine cartridges as it wont make any difference as to how your printer performs. From what we know the firmware updates started appearing around April 9. Many people had the update applied without them even knowing about it. The generic cartridges which were affected by this latest update were the HP 905XL, HP 955XL and the HP 975XL cartridges. The following is what some people may have seen and no doubt followed.....

1. Printer detects new firmware version

The following message automatically appears and prompts you to install the updated firmware.

2. Firmware is updated and the following error occurs

DO NOT update your HP printer's firmware

There is no reason whatsoever to update your printers firmware. It wont make a scrap of difference to it's operation and it's soul purpose is to stop the end user from being able to use generic cartridges. Why shouldn't the consumer have the right to use whatever aftermarket product they want to if it saves them money. If you have been affected by this update contact the ACCC in Australia and get the ball rolling again and make HP compensate you for robbing you of your right to use generic cartridges. It's a disgrace!

How to turn OFF HP printer firmware updates

The following diagrams will walk you through the process of turning OFF all future firmware updates so that this wont occur again.

1. Click " setup" on printer screen