HP Continues to Block Third-party Consumables

HP Continues to Block Third-party Consumables

HP continues to use firmware updates to discourage the use of non-HP-brand ink cartridges in the HP printers, according to arstechnica.com.

“HP has updated their printers to outright ban ‘non-HP’ ink! They no longer show the ‘can’t guarantee quality’ message, but instead cancels your print completely until you inset an HP ink cartridge,” Reddit user grhhull posted recently. “After contacting HP, they advised ‘this is due to the recent ‘update’ of all printers.'”

HP used to launch firmware updates unexpectedly, causing a lot of frustration to customers who found their printers containing non-HP cartridges could not work all of a sudden.

It’s unclear when HP issued updates for which model printers, according to arstechnica.com. HP community support threads include complaints about the OfficeJet 7740 and OfficeJet Pro 6970. According to HP, both printers, as well as others, are able to circumnavigate dynamic security under specific conditions. However, HP support page states this only applies to models manufactured before December 1, 2016.

HP claims that dynamic security is about bringing “the best consumer experience” and protecting customers “from counterfeit and third-party ink cartridges that do not contain an original HP security chip and that infringe on our IP.” But for most shoppers, the latter doesn’t affect the former. For many, the “best consumer experience” is a functioning ink cartridge at the most affordable price for frequent use.

HP’s dynamic security page claims that “Updates can improve, enhance, or extend the printer’s functionality and features, protect against security threats, and serve other purposes, but these updates can also block cartridges using a non-HP chip or modified or non-HP circuitry from working in the printer, including cartridges that work today.”

Related:

• HP Sues 11 Third-Party E-Commerce Cartridge Sellers
• HP Net Revenue Falls in Q1
• HP Releases Smart Ink Tank Printers in India

Comment:

Please leave your comments below for the story “HP Continues to Block Third-party Consumables.”