HP disables customers’ printers if they use ink cartridges from cheaper rivals

[Tall Timbers]

HP recently blocked customers from using cheaper, non-HP ink cartridges in its printers - Charles Krupa/AP
A well-known computer brand has disabled the printers of customers using ink cartridges from rival companies.

Hewlett-Packard, or HP, has sparked fury after issuing a recent “firmware” update which blocks customers from using cheaper, non-HP ink cartridges in its printers.

Customers’ devices were remotely updated in line with new terms which mean their printers will not work unless they are fitted with approved ink cartridges.

https://news.yahoo.com/hp-disables-customers-printers-ink-151610183.html

If you have an HP printer, you might want to turn off auto-updates, unless you're using genuine HP ink cartridges.

 

[Carl]

And your ink cartridges aren't necessarily empty when printer says they are. HP measures ink consumption by how many pages are printed.

 

[fretslide]

when I had an HP printer I used to buy a freakout chip to put on the cartridges that made the printer think they were full & usually got another 500 sheets or so out of them

 

[RonJohnSilver]

We had an HP printer but the local stores were out of the proper cartridges constantly it seemed so we exchanged it for an Epson printer. So far, so good.

 

[mphsmom]

I am glad I don't have a HP printer. We use an Epson printer also. It drives me crazy though when I am out of colored ink and just want to print something in black and white (with a full black cartridge) but it won't let me until I put in new colored ink cartridges.

 

[lamonte]

A lot depends on how much and what kind of printing you’re doing. I print about 100 pages a month, most text and some graphic. On most inkjet printers you’re lucky to get between 300 and 400 pages then you must replace cartridges. The cartridges will cost you between 40 and $80 using printer factory brand cartridges. If you use aftermarket brands, the cartridges will cost you quite a bit less, but when these newer printers coming out, they are forcing you to use factory brand cartridges, you can get by this on some printers by turning off automatic update as are brother mention earlier.

I bought an Epson EcoTank printer a 1 1/2 years ago, I still have not used all the ink that came with the printer. It did cost me more money upfront $300, but I’m so happy with it. The graphics look pretty good but most of my printing is text and pages off the Internet.

Epson EcoTank needs to be used weekly, if you print around 30 pages a month then your HP would be fine. I was spending $60 every three months on my older inkjet. I also have a brothers laser printer that’s about nine years old, prints great text and the cartridges are only $30, it’s also faster and way cheaper than inkjet to run but no color.

 

[Carl]

The older lower resolution ink jet printers were good. Didn't have to print all the time to keep them working. Of course it didn't give the picture quality prints either. But for my drafting program and printing text it was fine. I was sad when it stopped working.

 

[Círeth]

HP has also added an expiry date on their ink too with this new firmware update.

It's blatant profiteering. Time to hack it until all your ink is gone then teach HP that customer gouging doesn't pay by throwing it out and buying a good quality non-internet connected laser printer.

 

[Tall Timbers]

I switched from inkjet to laser a couple of decades ago because the injet cartridges would always clog up on me. If I don't use a laser for a good while it'll work perfectly when I finally do. With each laser printer I've gotten I've had to search the web for a workaround when the thing thinks it is out of toner, as there is usually a boatload of toner left in the cartridge.

 

[Círeth]

I am glad I don't have a HP printer. We use an Epson printer also. It drives me crazy though when I am out of colored ink and just want to print something in black and white (with a full black cartridge) but it won't let me until I put in new colored ink cartridges.

My Dad's Epson used to do that too. He got an all singing all dancing printer after it died that doesn't do that. Not sure what brand.

 

[Armor of Light]

I have not had good fortune with HP or Epson printers so about 5 years ago I bought a Cannon MX492 and it has been fantastic, it even has a scanner but I never use it, I am just happy it always prints when I need it. It's real handy for hunting/fishing licenses, saves a lot of time trying to get one at Walmart.

 

[Círeth]

I have not had good fortune with HP or Epson printers so about 5 years ago I bought a Cannon MX492 and it has been fantastic, it even has a scanner but I never use it, I am just happy it always prints when I need it. It's real handy for hunting/fishing licenses, saves a lot of time trying to get one at Walmart.

Dad's new (I say new it's probably seven years old now) printer might be a Canon. That rings a bell.

 

[Carl]

I had bad luck with both HP and Epson. Finally I purchased a Brothers ink jet had it never let me down in the two years I had it. Since I have switched to laser printers. One HP and one Brothers. Both have worked flawlessly for me. Although both are only black toner. And both are only letter size. I really miss the 17 X 22 size for printing drawings.

 

[GEOINTAnalyst]

You can always downgrade the firmware to an older version where the third party ink cartridges work, then turn off the auto-update feature

 

[Carl]

You can always downgrade the firmware to an older version where the third party ink cartridges work, then turn off the auto-update feature

Can you get that over the internet or do you have to have the CD that came with earlier printers?

 

[GEOINTAnalyst]

Can you get that over the internet or do you have to have the CD that came with earlier printers?

You can get it from Internet - have a look here - https://borncity.com/win/2021/02/02/firmware-downgrade-for-hp-printer/
and here - https://www.compandsave.com/hp-printer-firmware-downgrade

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

I have a very old, bottom-of-the-line HP B&W laser printer, still in storage with most of the rest of my stuff. It requires an actual printer cable connecting it to the computer. It's so old, it won't even work as a wireless with a BT dongle plugged in (I tried years ago). HP doesn't support it anymore, so no more updates to the drivers on the computer

No problem with non-HP cartridges, and shaking them is all that is required for the printer to acknowledge a cartridge with toner. The refill toner works in them, too, so I'll probably never buy cartridges for that printer again. So long as I can replace any spring or clip that gets weak.

Longevity of the printer for me will depend on availability of fuser film sleeve (need to get a spare) and repair parts. The printer, itself, is very simple and easy to work on

 

[GEOINTAnalyst]

The easiest way is to not let your printer have Internet Access that way it will not get updates - I would also think that this latest round of updates will most likely affect those printers made within the last 5 years anything older then that probably has no more support/updates anyway

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

My printer is over 25 years old and was never wireless or internet capable. It has to be physically connected with a cable to a computer that has the right printer drivers installed. Not even a USB cable. It's an old-fashioned printer cable with an adapter on one end for my netbook

I'll keep cleaning, replenishing, refurbishing, and repairing as needed (when I can get to it and use it again).

So there, too, HP!!!

 

[Carl]

Wow how did you keep it alive this long?