Printer Firmware Updates. What are they and should I install them?

Posted by Cartridge World on 19th Sep 2024

Installing printer firmware updates may limit your choice of printer cartridges and stop you from using lower-priced compatible ink and toner cartridges.

Manufacturers such as HP, Epson and Canon would prefer it if you only ever purchased their printer cartridges. In most cases the profit they make is higher for the cartridges sold than the printer itself. By deploying firmware updates, printer manufacturers can force you to buy their cartridges as firmware updates can temporarily block compatible cartridges leading to customer frustration.

Below, we will go into more detail about how firmware updates affect your choice when it comes to which type of consumable you use and how much you spend. We will also guide you on how to prevent firmware updates from being updated on your printer so you can continue to use lower priced compatible ink and toner cartridges.

What is a printer firmware update?

A firmware update is a piece of software to update the existing software that is used to run to your printer’s functionality. Printer manufacturers release firmware updates periodically, roughly every few months. Whether you choose to download a firmware update is up to you however some printers have the updates set as automatic as a default setting out of the box.

Firmware updates can be manually downloaded via your printer’s settings on the display screen or web browser if an option. If you turn on the automatic updates setting on your printer, updates will regularly download onto your printer when they’re available.

Some firmware updates may affect the use of low-cost compatible cartridges. Most don’t – but the updates that do block compatible cartridges can be very frustrating and can instantly stop your printer from working leading to incorrectly assuming the compatible cartridges are faulty.



Firmware updates are not a new thing, printer manufacturers have been releasing updates that have hampered your use of aftermarket compatible cartridges for a long time. HP released a firmware update in 2016 which managed to block thousands of printers around the world overnight. A lawsuit followed and HP were required to pay a settlement and provide the ability to rollback the firmware update. However, undeterred they continued to release updates for other popular ink cartridges and their related printers. This left customers who were using cheaper compatible cartridges confused and frustrated as the initial belief was that the compatible cartridges were at fault.

Unfortunately, firmware updates are not going to go away. For the printer manufacturers it is a tactic that serves them well however, it is your printer and your choice so if you want to continue printing using affordable compatible ink and toner cartridges you may want to protect your printer from future firmware updates.

Turn off automatic firmware updates

With a quick change to your printer's settings, you will be able to print with compatible cartridges whenever you want. This is the best way to keep firmware updates from disabling your printer and this works for almost every popular printer brand!

All you have to do is turn off the automatic firmware update settings on your printer. After you turn off these settings, your printer will stop automatically downloading firmware updates, giving you total control over what you install.

Please note that turning off these updates may affect any improvements to functionality that the manufacturer may be have included in the update.

Wait for new or updated cartridges

If you have caught out by a firmware update one option is to install new compatible cartridges that have been updated to bypass the most recent firmware update. If you are unable to turn off your firmware updates or were just not aware of this practice and find yourself without the ability to print, you will have to wait for an updated version of your compatible cartridges to become available. 

This is not ideal for our customers that need to print right away – which is why encourage you to turn off your updates all together. For certain Cartridge World cartridges we can help a customer that is affected by an update by getting their blocked cartridges back for re-programming and in some circumstances we will replace them with a new set for free when available. It does take a little while for compatible cartridges to be updated to get round the latest update but once installed you can start printing again without issue.

How to Turn Off Firmware Updates on Your Printer

Firmware update settings are usually found under the “settings” or “printer maintenance” menu of your printer and in most cases labelled as 'printer update options'.

Instructions are provided for popular Brother, Canon, Epson and HP printers below. The disabling process may vary though, depending on which printer model you own. If you need help turning off your firmware, feel free to our team for guidance on 01423 701704 or via email on customerservice@cartridgeworld.co.uk.


Brother

Method 1: Using the Printer Control Panel

  1. Go to Settings:
    • On the printer's home screen, tap the Settings or Menu button.
  2. Navigate to Printer Settings:
    • Scroll through the options and select All Settings or General Settings (depending on the printer model).
  3. Turn Off Firmware Update Notification:
    • Look for Firmware Update Notification or similar.
    • Select it, and then choose Off or Disable.

Method 2: Using Brother Printer Software (On Your PC)

  1. Open the Brother Printer Software:
    • Open Brother Utilities or ControlCenter on your computer.
    • Select your printer model from the dropdown menu if necessary.
  2. Go to Tools or Support:
    • Look for the Tools or Support section.
  3. Disable Firmware Updates:
    • Find an option related to Firmware Update and turn it off.

Method 3: Using Brother iPrint&Scan Mobile App

  1. Open the Brother iPrint&Scan App:
    • Download the Brother iPrint&Scan app on your mobile device if you don’t have it already.
  2. Access Firmware Settings:
    • Connect the app to your printer.
    • Navigate to Settings in the app and look for Firmware Update.
  3. Turn Off Notifications:
    • Disable the option to automatically update firmware or notify about updates.

Canon

Method 1: Using the Printer Control Panel

  1. Go to Settings:
    • On the printer's home screen, tap the Settings or Menu button.
  2. Navigate to Firmware Update Settings:
    • Scroll through the menu to find Device Settings or Firmware Update settings.
  3. Turn Off Firmware Updates:
    • Select Firmware Update or Firmware Update Notification.
    • Set the option to Disable or Off.

Method 2: Using Canon Printer Software (On Your PC)

  1. Open Canon Printer Utility:
    • Open the Canon IJ Printer Assistant Tool or Canon Quick Menu installed on your computer.
  2. Go to Firmware Update Settings:
    • From the utility, navigate to Maintenance or Settings.
    • Look for the Firmware Update option.
  3. Disable Firmware Updates:
    • Uncheck the box or select Off for automatic firmware updates.

Method 3: Using Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY Mobile App

  1. Open the Canon PRINT Inkjet/SELPHY App:
    • Connect the app to your printer.
  2. Go to Settings:
    • Access Settings within the app, and look for Printer Information or Firmware Settings.
  3. Turn Off Firmware Updates:
    • You should find an option to disable automatic firmware updates or notifications. Set it to Off.

Epson

Method 1: Using the Printer Control Panel

  1. Go to Settings:
    • On your printer's home screen, tap the Home or Menu button to access the settings menu.
  2. Navigate to Firmware Update Settings:
    • Scroll through the settings and look for Firmware Update or Maintenance (this option may vary by model).
  3. Disable Firmware Update:
    • Select Firmware Update.
    • Choose to Disable or turn off Automatic Firmware Updates.

Method 2: Using the Epson Printer Software (On Your PC)

  1. Open the Epson Software Updater:
    • If you’ve installed Epson drivers and utilities, open the Epson Software Updater on your computer.
  2. Uncheck Firmware Update Option:
    • When the utility starts, you will see a list of updates.
    • Uncheck the Firmware Update option.
    • You may need to click Settings in the updater and disable Automatic Firmware Updates from there.
  3. Skip Firmware Update:
    • Click Skip if prompted to update the firmware, or choose Never to avoid future update prompts.

Method 3: Using the Epson iPrint Mobile App

  1. Open the Epson iPrint App:
    • Connect the app to your printer.
  2. Access Settings:
    • Navigate to Settings or Printer Information in the app.
  3. Turn Off Firmware Update:
    • Look for Firmware Update Settings and disable automatic updates.

HP

Method 1: Using the Printer Control Panel

  1. Go to Setup:
    • On your printer’s touchscreen or control panel, press the Setup or Settings icon.
  2. Navigate to Printer Maintenance:
    • Scroll through the menu options and find Printer Maintenance or Service (the exact name may vary).
  3. Turn Off Firmware Updates:
    • Select Firmware Updates.
    • Choose Disable or set Automatic Updates to Off.

Method 2: Using HP Smart App (Mobile or PC)

  1. Open the HP Smart App:
    • Open the HP Smart app on your smartphone or computer, and ensure your printer is connected.
  2. Access Advanced Settings:
    • Go to the Printer Settings and then look for Advanced Settings or Printer Maintenance.
  3. Disable Firmware Updates:
    • In the advanced settings, locate Firmware Updates and turn off the automatic update option.

Method 3: Using the HP Embedded Web Server (EWS)

  1. Access the Printer’s IP Address:
    • Find your printer’s IP address (this can be located in the printer settings or network settings on the printer).
    • Open a web browser and type the IP address into the address bar to access the printer’s embedded web server.
  2. Go to Settings:
    • Once inside the printer’s web interface, click on Settings or Printer Maintenance.
  3. Disable Automatic Firmware Updates:
    • Look for the Firmware Update or Web Services section.
    • Disable automatic updates or update notifications.

Method 4: Using HP Printer Software (On Your PC)

  1. Open the HP Printer Assistant:
    • Open the HP Printer Assistant software on your computer.
  2. Check for Update Settings:
    • Go to the Updates or Tools section.
    • Look for the Firmware Update option.
  3. Disable Automatic Firmware Updates:
    • Turn off Automatic Updates or choose to manually check for firmware updates.

Firmware updates will continue to try to block compatible cartridges and be disruptive, but now you have a basic guide on how to tackle these updates, you can protect your printer from the manufacturer's updates and keep saving with Cartridge World compatible cartridges.

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