Beware Printer Firmware Updates!

Printer manufacturers occasionally issue firmware updates that are typically publicly available via the company website.  These updates typically provide the ability to load new and improved features to your dated machine.  Firmware updates can also fix problems with existing functions and expand compatibility for software and OS upgrades.

BEWAREBuyer Beware

Not All Firmware Upgrades Are Created Equal.

In January, our office received this notice from a trusted vendor:

https://www.action-intell.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/english_fullpack.pdf

It has come to light that some manufacturers have designed printer firmware upgrades to disable your printer’s ability to accept any after-market cartridges, thus forcing you to pay  inflated brand name/ OEM cartridge prices.

So far, numerous cases of this deceptive and consumer-unfriendly practice have been reported for Dell, Lexmark and Samsung printers.  Unfortunately, there is no way to tell which firmware upgrades will make a machine incapable of reading compatible or remanufactured toner or ink cartridges.

When you first get your printer and are being prompted through the installation process, one way to avoid these harmful upgrades is by unselecting the option to receive automatic software updates.  As of now, there is no definitive information on which models are susceptible and what users should look to avoid these firmware updates.Firmware

For the hundreds of thousands of people who have been able to cut budgets by using remanufactured or compatible cartridges, these firmware updates can be extremely costly.  This move by Lexmark, Dell and Samsung calls in to question the integrity of any company purposely destroying the sanctity of free trade.

Greg Gladman
Greg Gladman has two degrees from the University of Cincinnati and prides himself on managing the operations and customer service at Ink Technologies. With a mind like a vault, he is full of useful and useless information, making him an asset to the company and to his Tuesday night trivia team. When he is not working, he spends his time bowling and playing golf. Greg dedicates much of his free time to raising money and awareness in support of the fight against blood cancers.

One Response to “Beware Printer Firmware Updates!”

  • […] to check for a firmware update, as it may resolve the problem. However, there are a few reasons to avoid printer firmware updates, as they could actually remove functionality by denying you the ability to use compatible supplies. […]