Are HP at it again?

16th Feb 2024
IJT Direct

Are HP at it again? More issues with HP’s firmware updates rendering 3rd party/recycled/compatible inks useless!

Back in 2019 we wrote a blog about HP being caught sneaking code into their printers which then rejected third-party ink. HP didn’t simply say that the cartridge wasn’t compatible, HP users were presented with a message along the lines of “One or more cartridges appear to be damaged. Remove them and replace with new cartridges.”

It seems that HP has been at it again with class action lawsuits being filed by HP printer owners against HP in the US. The class action lawsuits claim that HP pushed these updates on to printers via the internet without prior notification. What isn’t clear at the moment is whether this has been successful or not but it seems to be only a matter of time before HP firmware updates are changed dramatically or stopped all together in the US.

What can be done in the meantime to make sure you can continue to use more affordable alternatives to the expensive HP original ink cartridges? Especially at a time when literally everything has become more expensive from food to heating your own home or business premises we’d suggest turning off automatic firmware updates by doing the following:

Via your HP Printer

  1. Click on the dark blue bar at the top on the printers control panel


  2. Click on the Setup icon when the new menu appears

  3. This opens the config menu, scroll down to Printer Maintenance

  4. Click on Printer Maintenance and the click on Update the Printer

  5. Click on Printer Update options and select Do Not Check


  6. This will prompt a message strongly recommending you allow these updates, select No

Via your PC or laptop

  • Using Windows 10 – Click the Start/Windows button, type HP in the search box and click on HP Update
  • Using Windows 8 – Hold Windows + Q keys on your keyboard and type HP Update in the search bar, click on HP Update
  • Using Windows 7/Vista – See Using Windows 10
  • Using Windows XP – Click the Start/Windows button, select All programmes and find HP and click on HP Software Update
  1. Click the Settings button and HP Update Settings will appear
  2. Select Never and click OK

Via the HP Smart app (Apple & Android devices)

  1. Click the printer image on the home screen
  2. Click Advanced Settings
  3. Click Tools
  4. Click Printer Updates and click Firmware Updates
  5. Select “Do not check for updates” and click Apply
  6. A popup will appear with the following question: “Do you want to turn on printer updates?”. Click No


Ultimately the above steps you can take will hopefully mean all HP users can continue with the choice of whether to use HP originals or the cheaper recycled 3rd party ink cartridges.