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Firmware updates for printers have a reputation problem. Among home users, “firmware update” either means nothing at all, or it means the thing that makes your printer stop accepting the cartridges it was working fine with yesterday. Both reactions are understandable. The truth is more complicated.
What printer firmware actually controls
Firmware is the operating software baked into the printer’s hardware — the code that runs on the printer itself, not on your computer. It controls:
- How the printer communicates with your network (WiFi stability, protocols)
- Ink or toner management (how it reads cartridge levels, which cartridges it accepts)
- Print quality settings and calibration defaults
- Security — which connections the printer accepts, how it handles remote access
- User interface on touchscreen models
Unlike a phone operating system, printer firmware updates are usually incremental and invisible. Most users never know an update happened unless something changes noticeably — which is usually when the complaints start.
The third-party cartridge situation
This is the firmware issue that generates the most frustration. HP in particular has a history of firmware updates that retroactively block third-party ink cartridges — cartridges that were working fine before the update. HP frames this as “security” (counterfeit cartridge protection); critics frame it as anti-competitive tying of consumables.
A 2022 class-action settlement required HP to pay $1.5 million and provide clearer disclosure about which printers check for HP-original cartridges. The behavior didn’t stop — it just requires more prominent disclosure on newer printer boxes.
If you use third-party cartridges, this matters: some HP printers enrolled in HP+ have firmware that permanently locks to HP-original cartridges. Once you activate HP+, you can’t go back. Epson and Canon have been less aggressive about this, though both have done firmware updates that affected cartridge compatibility in some markets.
When firmware updates genuinely help
Not all firmware updates are adversarial. Real improvements that firmware delivers:
WiFi reliability fixes
If your printer regularly drops off the network, manufacturer firmware updates are the first place to check. WiFi stack improvements are common in firmware revisions, especially for printers that shipped with early WiFi implementations. Epson has pushed several firmware updates that dramatically improved wireless stability on WF-series printers.
Security patches
Printers are computers on your network. They’ve been used as entry points in corporate network attacks — the infamous Target breach in 2013 started with a HVAC vendor’s credentials, but the printer attack vector has been documented in multiple penetration testing engagements since. For a home printer, the risk is lower, but firmware patches for known vulnerabilities are still legitimate updates worth applying.
New feature support
Scan-to-email, cloud printing service support, and mobile app compatibility updates often come via firmware. If a manufacturer adds a feature to their app, a firmware update usually follows to enable it on existing hardware.
How to handle automatic firmware updates
Most modern inkjet printers update firmware automatically over WiFi unless you opt out. Whether to let this happen depends on how you use your printer:
- You use third-party cartridges: Disable automatic updates. Check the printer’s settings menu or the manufacturer app for an “Auto Update” toggle. Review firmware release notes before applying any update.
- You use OEM cartridges only: Automatic updates are fine. The WiFi and security improvements are worth it, and cartridge compatibility isn’t a concern.
- You have a business laser printer: Update firmware on a schedule, not automatically. Test on one unit before pushing to a fleet.
How to update manually (if needed)
Go to the manufacturer’s support site, enter your model number, and find the firmware downloads section. Most manufacturers provide a desktop updater utility — download, run, and follow the instructions. Never update firmware while printing or with low power on a battery-powered device (this doesn’t apply to most desktop printers, but worth noting for portable models).
If an update goes wrong and the printer becomes unresponsive, many printers have a recovery mode — usually accessed by holding a specific button combination during power-on. Check the manufacturer’s support site for your model’s recovery procedure before assuming the printer is bricked.
The bottom line
Firmware updates are neither purely good nor purely bad — they’re a product decision by the manufacturer that may or may not align with your interests as a user. If you’re happy with how your printer works today, there’s no urgency to update. If you’re having WiFi or print quality issues, a firmware update is worth trying. The only case where you should actively avoid updates is if you’re using third-party consumables on an HP printer enrolled in HP+.
