8015e is bricked

[fuggyou]

I never knew how quickly I would grow to despise HP printers until now, as my 'brand new' 8015e bricked itself within months of buying it, ultimately due to a unwarranted update that I didn't agree to. Of course, the same  week I realized it was bricked was the same week my HP warranty expired.

I've put 100 pages through this thing, exhausting the colors almost immediately, where I then purchased 3rd party replacements. They worked for about 10% through and then stopped suddenly, essentially forcing me to learn a brand new trade. 1000 hours of troubleshooting later, it's time to send this P.O.S. into orbit.

After trying each type of reset procedure, I'm at a loss. I hoped "OOBE" would come to the rescue with an old firmware file download as well, but of course not. HP SMART app says all is well, but the printer itself won't spit a page out no matter what I do.

It won't 'align,' 'test-print,' or do anything remotely related to printing, but it sure likes to appear as if it is functional. 

POWER ON - "Printer cannot print."

Next menu, "Align the printhead." "Continue." 

Back to "Printer cannot print." "OK."

"Canceling" screen until hard reboot. Repeat.

**bleep**.

---HP's RESPONSE---

"You’ve described a situation where the printer Powers on, but displays “Printer cannot print”, gets stuck in an endless alignment or cancelling loop will not execute any print function (test page, alignment, etc). Reports as “ready” in HP Smart, but are non-functional physically. Worked briefly with third-party cartridges, then stopped.

Step 1: Install Genuine HP Ink (Even Temporarily)

To confirm whether the lockout is cartridge-related:

1. Remove third-party cartridges
2. Install a full set of genuine HP 910 or 910XL cartridges with original chips
3. Restart the printer and check if it will perform alignment or print a test page

If it resumes printing, the third-party cartridges will be blocked by dynamic security.

Step 2: Reset the Printer (Already Attempted, but Confirmed)

Since you’ve tried soft and hard resets, we can confirm this likely isn't a simple firmware stall. However, if you want to try again:

Partial Reset (does not affect firmware):

1. Turn the printer off
2. Disconnect the power cable from the back
3. Hold Power + Cancel (X) button
4. While holding the buttons, plug the printer back in
5. Wait until the printer starts and releases the reset"

HP reps, I no longer have internet for this printer, so I want to install the first firmware file ever released for it. Please DM me a legacy firmware file that will get my 8015e un-bricked.

I read about lawsuits stating I cannot be legally locked out by nefarious updates, so I am hoping you will simply accommodate my request. Many thanks for your time.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @fuggyou,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

I know how frustrating printer issues can be, especially when the device appears “ready” but won’t actually perform any printing functions.

From what you’ve described, it sounds like the troubleshooting steps you were provided earlier may not be fully applicable to your specific printer model. 

Using reset steps that aren’t designed for this printer can sometimes result in loops or symptoms that don’t resolve the core issue.

I’d also like to clarify a couple of important points:

• HP does not prevent the use of non‑HP ink cartridges. However, third‑party cartridges must contain a compatible HP security chip. If the cartridge does not have a functioning HP‑compatible chip, the printer may block operations such as alignment or printing. This behavior is related to cartridge authentication, not simply the use of non‑HP ink.
• HP does not provide firmware downgrade options. Once a firmware update is installed, there is no supported method to roll the printer back to an earlier version, and legacy firmware files are not distributed.

That said, I’d still like to help you narrow down what’s happening with your printer and see what options may be available. To move forward, could you please share the following details:

• The exact error message shown on the printer’s display (word for word, if possible)
• Whether the printer ever completes any action (alignment, test page, cleaning), or if it always cancels or loops
• What occurs when you attempt to print directly from the printer’s control panel (not from the HP app)
• Whether there are any blinking lights or error indicators on the printer

The more detail you can provide, the easier it will be to determine the root cause and guide you through the correct troubleshooting steps for your printer model.

Please refer to this document for assistance:

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_7470520-7449625-16

I understand how discouraging this experience has been, and I’ll definitely do my best to help you out.

We're looking forward to helping you get back up and running! 

Best regards,

Kuroi_Kenshi

[fuggyou]

Hello Kuroi.

Thanks for your response.

Firstly, as I said, the 3rd party cartridges worked wonderfully before there was a firmware update that immediately rendered them useless.

Secondly, there were no improper "reset steps" rolled out, as my printer's service menus obviously exist for a reason.

Thirdly, the fact that HP is deceitfully quiet about the fact that their/our 8015e's can no longer be used without internet once they're registered as "HP+" seems highly unethical.

Lastly, downgrading my 8015e's firmware with a "legacy file" is entirely common, so when you to say, "HP does not provide firmware downgrade options. Once a firmware update is installed, there is no supported method to roll the printer back to an earlier version, and legacy firmware files are not distributed," that's actually untrue, as I can find dozens of examples in these forums stating the exact opposite, for example.

I know old firmware files exist and HP obviously has them,  as they don't just un-exist themself - the service menus also reveal that this function is entirely possible.

I have located old firmwares from trustworthy 3rd party sources for my specific printer, but HP+ has locked my printer out of this function and will not allow it to install.

This can't be a legal practice, I never agreed to any of this.

Please Kuroi, help me reconfigure my 8015e from scratch!

I want HP+ removed from my printer. I want its first firmware file installed. I want my printer to be mine, not HP's.

There's a few court cases that touch on some of these matters, here are a couple:

Renee Robinson et al v. HP Inc. (No.  1:24-cv-00164): A class-action lawsuit filed in January 2024 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.  This case challenges Dynamic Security firmware updates from late 2022 and early 2023 that blocked third-party ink (among other complaints), alleging HP created a monopoly. 

Mobile Emergency Housing Corp.  et al. v. HP Inc. (No. 5:20-cv-09157): A class-action lawsuit filed in December 2020 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.  It centered on a November 2020 firmware update that blocked non-HP cartridges. This case resulted in a March 2025 settlement where HP agreed to allow users of specific printer models to decline future Dynamic Security updates but did not pay monetary damages to the general class. 

Beware HP users, do not register anything as HP+ !!!

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @fuggyou,

Thank you for getting back

You can definitely use third‑party cartridges in the HP OfficeJet 8015e, but they must have a compatible HP chip. Without that chip, the printer will block printing functions, that’s part of HP’s dynamic security system.

It’s also important to note that once a printer is registered under HP+, that service is built into how the device operates and cannot be removed. The printer will always require genuine HP cartridges or third‑party ones with HP‑compatible chips.

HP does not provide or distribute previous firmware versions for downgrade. While you may see files on third‑party sites, using them can brick the device permanently, leaving it unusable. That’s why it’s strongly advised not to attempt firmware downgrades from unofficial sources.

Please reach out again if you need further help, I’ll be glad to guide you through safe troubleshooting steps or verify cartridge compatibility for your 8015e.

Best Regards,