Firmware Update Bricks HP Printers, Makes Them Unable To Use HP Cartridges (arstechnica.com) 43
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: HP, along with other printer brands, is infamous for issuing firmware updates that brick already-purchased printers that have tried to use third-party ink. In a new form of frustration, HP is now being accused of issuing a firmware update that broke customers' laser printers -- even though the devices are loaded with HP-brand toner. The firmware update in question is version 20250209, which HP issued on March 4 for its LaserJet MFP M232-M237 models. Per HP, the update includes "security updates," a "regulatory requirement update," "general improvements and bug fixes," and fixes for IPP Everywhere. Looking back to older updates' fixes and changes, which the new update includes, doesn't reveal anything out of the ordinary. The older updates mention things like "fixed print quality to ensure borders are not cropped for certain document types," and "improved firmware update and cartridge rejection experiences." But there's no mention of changes to how the printers use or read toner.
However, users have been reporting sudden problems using HP-brand toner in their M232-M237 series printers since their devices updated to 20250209. Users on HP's support forum say they see Error Code 11 and the hardware's toner light flashing when trying to print. Some said they've cleaned the contacts and reinstalled their toner but still can't print. "Insanely frustrating because it's my small business printer and just stopped working out of nowhere[,] and I even replaced the tone[r,] which was a $60 expense," a forum user wrote on March 8. HP said in a statement: "We are aware of a firmware issue affecting a limited number of HP LaserJet 200 Series devices and our team is actively working on a solution. For assistance, affected customers can contact our support team at: https://support.hp.com." It's unclear how widespread the problems are.
However, users have been reporting sudden problems using HP-brand toner in their M232-M237 series printers since their devices updated to 20250209. Users on HP's support forum say they see Error Code 11 and the hardware's toner light flashing when trying to print. Some said they've cleaned the contacts and reinstalled their toner but still can't print. "Insanely frustrating because it's my small business printer and just stopped working out of nowhere[,] and I even replaced the tone[r,] which was a $60 expense," a forum user wrote on March 8. HP said in a statement: "We are aware of a firmware issue affecting a limited number of HP LaserJet 200 Series devices and our team is actively working on a solution. For assistance, affected customers can contact our support team at: https://support.hp.com." It's unclear how widespread the problems are.
Truly impressive (Score:2)
That HP can just stack one big fat L after another.
In the reams and reams of tech companies with fuckups HP truly may be the GOAT, like at this point every one of these stories feels like they are pulling a bit on us.
Re:Truly impressive (Score:5, Interesting)
Their cartridge games are legendary. I once had an HP such that if the color cartridge was beyond its "expiration date", I'd have to confirm a warning prompt on the printer every time I printed even though I set my document to ONLY be black-and-white, using just the black cartridge, which was 95% of what I printed. And the expiration duration was always suspiciously short. I probably only used about 10% of the color cartridges. Racket!
HP Vader meme [reddit.com]
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Oh yeah, I have one such printer. Interestingly, if I use the drivers that came with Windows then the printer shows the message that the cartridge is expired, but still works. If I install HP drivers then the printer does not work with expired cartridges.
So, Windows drivers it is and I used a cartridge that was 10 years past the expiry date.
It has been a while since I used that printer (I use other printers for now), I need to get new heads for it and fix it so the heads do not dry out as fast.
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Quite a lot of people associate printers with HP and they have now trained those unfortunate souls to not just expect less but expect to be fucked with in new and interesting ways all the time, and because they associate HP with printers, they figure this is just the way it is.
This has perversely created a loyal customer base: HP has found a group of people who will continue to but HP no matter what, and as a result HP can do what they like.
Next up: it will use up all your ink (and paper) by printing full p
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To be fair back in "the day" HP was the quality printer brand which is even more gross that they traded those decades of good reputation for bullshit like this which really, it feels like HP should have burned that good rep a long while ago.
I suppose Brother could really use the HP PR team keeping that business afloat.
Carly Fiorina (Score:5, Insightful)
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True and lest we forget they gave her $100M for the her skilled leadership of the company.
Once you've reached a certain "class" in the business world there truly is nothing you can do bad or incompetent enough to personally affect your life. "She's got money, therefore she knows what's she's doing!"
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Re: Truly impressive (Score:2)
20 years ago I worked in retail selling a competing brand. HP would ply store associates with gift cards and other promos for selling HP printers with computers.
This made a strong incentive to sell HP even when you knew their ink was problematic and expensive.
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It's an amazing business model:
1. Sell printers for less than they cost to make, and make money off the consumables.
2. Update the firmware so the customer can't use third party toner.
3. Update the firmware so the customer can't use OEM toner - the part you're making money on.
4. Profit!
It's underpants gnomes all over again.
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Good timing (Score:3)
Good thing HP did away with that mandatory 15 minute wait time for tech support otherwise people would be upset with them. Oh wait.
Working as advertised. (Score:5, Insightful)
"improved firmware update and cartridge rejection experiences."
It's pretty much doing exactly what they said. It "improved the cartridge rejection experience" by rejecting all cartridges, even on-brand cartridges. HP has officially done the nearly impossible, and made the update literature match the user experience. Someone should reward them for this shocking display of transparency.
anyone else think "sounds like a feature?" (Score:2)
If you can't use 3rd party ink/toner after an HP update, then having another update that won't allow HP branded ink/toner strikes me as 'a reasonable response.' And printers that won't print are most certainly secure, in that they won't inadvertently print stuff you don't want other people to see.
It seems that 'testing' is not part of HP's software development process. At least the printers aren't suffering "rapid unscheduled disassembly" after loading the update. I guess that's coming next year.
DRM on cartridges (Score:5, Insightful)
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Literally how I decide which vendor to buy, those with no DRM get my business, those with DRM auto reject before purchase.
Are there any left? I read Brother is going to the dark side. Who's left?
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And the reports are two years old, and went unnoticed until last week. Brother says "Huh, what? No, we don't do that" and I believe them.
HP's still less of a shit show than Dymo, though.
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The other thing is, if Brother printers had the issue, there should be way more results by now. I mean, upon hearing that Brother was doing this, there should be dozens of videos and other things of people verifying this is happening.
Epson tank printers (Score:1)
Are there any left?
I have an Epson with ink tanks I fill manually, no way to stop me from putting whatever in there.
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I believe Canon's ImageClass laser printers will just scold you, not enforce anything. I'm still on the original toner cartridge though, so I wouldn't know personally, just what I've read. It keeps popping a warning that the toner is low, but I think that's based on page count as it still prints fine.
Re: (Score:2)
When DRM betrays its own (Score:2)
Hate People (Score:2)
Friends don't let friends buy from Hate People.
Garbled settings? (Score:2)
Wouldn't it be funny if third party cartridges started working? Say if someone transposed "true" and "false" deep in the code...
Not bricked (Score:2)
Because, like any consumer device these days, you can just roll back the firmware. /s
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Most devices aren't bricked, if you have a JTAG and the right programming software.
Re: Not bricked (Score:2)
True, but most consumers don't have access to those. And even Geeksquad won't be able to do it for them.
Missed opportunity (Score:4, Funny)
We should have wrapped Bill Hewlett and David Packard in magnets and buried them in alternator caskets. By now they're spinning in their graves so fast they could power the world.
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...... buried them in alternator caskets. By now they're spinning in their graves so fast they could power the world.
That's funny!
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I came here to post a comment practically identical to this. Thank you.
Does anyone else remember when HP meant "it just works", and was synonymous with "Sherman Tank" for ruggedness?
Never Buy HP (Score:2)
I will never buy anything HP ever again.
HP printers are pure garbage. The absolute worst.
Its a FEATURE not a BUG ! (Score:2)
How many times does customer service have to explain our software to you dolts ?
Now pay your tax and move along sheeple.
HP is going to get it in the end (Score:2)
They are already shredding customer confidence by trying to milk every bit of profit from their printing division. I'm already telling people to stay away and if you like your friend and family you will too.
Who keeps buying HP? (Score:2)
I just can't understand who keeps HP in business, particularly their printer division.
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Yep, same here.
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I suspect their printer division survives mostly because of clueless idiots who don't know and better and buy one because its cheap or because the sales guy at the store convinces them to buy one (or because its what's in stock and available) and because of big companies that have (for whatever reason) standardized on HP printers across their company and buy a lot of printers and ink.
Oh, what a shame (Score:2)
incompetence, not malice (Score:2)
This isn't your grandpa's HP.
Do not buy HP printers (Score:2)
Apparently there are still some people that did not get the message...
Biggest scam on the consumer! (Score:2)