Updated Driver now cartridges unrecognized

[Linn54]

My MFP M281 fdw was working fine until I got a new PC and downloaded the current printer firmware. Now the printer shows an error. "The indicated supplies are not communicating correctly with the printer. Try reinstalling the supplies. If the problem persists, replace the supplies to continue printing." The "indicated supplies" include all cartridges, black, cyan, yellow, red.

The cartridges are not HP-branded, but were working just fine for a long time. They are not empty, certainly all at once. Reinstalling them does not work. Rebooting the printer does not work. I see several approaches here:

1. Does anyone have a workaround to this? I know I am not the first one that this happened to. 

2. Is there a way to find the year-old firmware online and reinstall that old firmware?

3. Give in and pay triple for HP branded cartridges.

4. Give up on HP and go buy another brand that doesn't play these games. 

Thanks in advance for any help.

Linn 

[tomdjoe]

I just had the same thing happen on my Pro 6978. Seems like they either did it intentionally thru and update or it was a bad update. I hope we can get this resolved or I will be buying another brand  and will be done with HP. 

[Linn54]

After doing more research, it appears that newer HP printers come with Dynamic Security installed. Dynamic Security is software that examines every cartridge installed and, if not a genuine HP product, will cause the error I saw. The "Dynamic" part appears to be that they continually update it to make sure that third party toner cartridge manufacturers will be unable to stay ahead of the system for long. HP will dynamically update the software and your 3rd party printer cartridges will stop working without warning.

Since four original HP cartridges for this printer cost nearly $300, it appears the only reasonable solution is to buy a competitor's product. Too bad that HP is unable to be successful with just selling hardware - they became addicted to the captive market of HP toner cartridges. I am shopping for a new printer for about the same price as a full set of HP cartridges. If HP persists with this extortion, they may not survive for much longer. 

How about it HP, am I right?

[jpasiut]

Figures. I've purchased four sets of cartridges for over 300 through Amazon and I can't get a response from either company for a refund. Wish I'd known about this bs before we bought the HP printer. Time to shop for a new printer. 

[tomdjoe]

SO i am learning that HP support is non-existent unless you pay for it. I guess in the long run I will be paying for it since I will be buying a new NON HP printer today. I know it may not do any good but I think I will be mailing HP my invoice for a refund on the junk printer they sell us and expect we buy over priced supplies for. This is the biggest scam. I cannot imagine buying a new vehicle and the manufacturer requiring you to go to their dealer for new tires. 

I am willing to bet it is only a period of time before someone starts a class action lawsuit against them for this extortion. I am not one to sue but they have me pissed off enough at this point I would join.

What brands does any of you recommend in a printer for home office use?

[Linn54]

I went to Amazon and  looked at the questions regarding Brother and Canon printers. In the answers to questions about cartridge compatibility the manufacturer's replies for those printers strongly recommended that their branded cartridges be used. They did not say that other ones would not work. I will be purchasing either a Brother or a Canon.

[tomdjoe · Accepted solution]

Do a online search on how to DOWNGRADE your firmware for your printer model. Follow their instructions and revert back to the older version. Shut down auto upgrades. I am back in business!!! Up your HP!!! I see you have been doing this on and off for over 5 years.

[Linn54]

Thank you Tomdjoe,

That did the trick. Maybe I will hold off on getting a new printer for a bit longer. Still quite a runaround to get past HP's Dynamic Security.