Firmware Upgrade Catches Chinese Aftermarket Attention

Firmware Upgrade Catches Chinese Aftermarket Attention

RT recently has noticed many Chinese aftermarket companies and dealers spreading warnings in WeChat social media about the latest firmware updates released by HP and Canon.

According to the posts, the upgraded firmware version is 20201021 and affects HP LaserJet Pro M154dw/a, HP LaserJet Pro M180n/nw/fw, HP LaserJet Pro M254dw/nw, HP LaserJet Pro M280nw, HP LaserJet Pro 281fdw/fdn and Canon i-sessys LBP621/623/642/643cw, ColorimageCL ASLBP622Cdw, ColorimageCL ASS MF623/641Cw/642Cdw, ColorimageCLASS MF644C/645Cx.

As a result of the OEM chip upgrade, a prompt message pops up once the printer is connected to the internet, suggesting a firmware upgrade needs to be done.

Chinese aftermarket and dealers are warning clients against upgrading, saying that all the replacement cartridges for the HP CF500、CF510 CF530 CF540 series will be rejected by their printers if they should proceed with the upgrade.

“If end-users upgrade their printers, users will be forced to only use OEM consumables, which means higher costs,” one person commented in the channel. Another said the upgrade removes choice for consumers.

To further protect clients from the firmware upgrade, Chinese aftermarket companies are advising clients to turn off the “automatic checking” function and “allow upgrade” functions on their printers.

In the event the printer is upgraded, some Chinese aftermarket companies are providing step-by-step downgrade solutions for their customers and end-users.

In recent years, some printer OEMs have strategically pushed firmware updates to block aftermarket cartridges from working in printers. Among them, HP is one of the OEMs that released firmware updates most frequently.

In July 2020, the European Toner and Inkjet Remanufacturers Association (ETIRA) urged HP to rethink its latest printer firmware update (versions 2021B and 2025A), affecting HP OfficeJet 5220, 5255, 5230, 5232, HP ENVY 5020, 5032 and HP DeskJet 2621 devices. The update caused the printer to reject aftermarket cartridges from working. The machine simply stopped working until a new, genuine HP cartridge was installed.

Previous firmware updates have also prevented reused HP cartridges from working in HP’s customers’ printers across the globe. It has caused significant financial damage to end-users, resulting in many legal claims against HP. ETIRA was hoping to avoid a similar situation again.

Related：

• April 14, 2021, HPs April 1 Firmware Update is No Joke
• July 29, 2020, Industry Body Urges HP to Change its Firmware Updates
• July 20, 2020, HPs Despicable Firmware Update Tricks Continue
• November 4, 2020, Zhono Responds to CF500 Series Firmware Upgrade
• November 27, 2020, ChipJet ChipStation Offers Solution to Firmware Upgrade
• December 2, 2020, We Nailed It: G&G Cartridges Safe From Firmware Update
• November 25, 2021, Chip Resetter Copes with Annoying OEM Firmware Updates

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