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How To Repair Your Printer If The HP "Firmware Update"
Is Already Installed And Your Printer Has Stopped Working

If your printer is currently working, then the easy approach to keep it working is to do nothing. Astonishingly, apparently as a result of negative publicity and a class action lawsuit, HP has begun (in the US, in February 2022) to issue firmware that allows for third party cartridges. If your printer suddenly stops working, please come back to this page.

If your printer has stopped working, and the printer software or LCD display has indicated that it has rejected a third-party cartridge, please follow these instructions.

1. Turn on your printer and set it the way you would for normal printing, as if ready to print. The printer must not be used for printing and must stay connected for the installation to proceed reliably.

2. Right click on the following HP Printer Support website link; open in new tab. Go to the new tab. Specify the model name of your printer (e.g. OfficeJet Pro 8710):

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/printers

(If HP does not support your printer (that is, does not display a support page), it is unlikely that HP has modified your firmware. You can likely obtain a fresh copy of the driver from DriversCollection: https://driverscollection.com)

3. Click on the "+" next to Firmware.

4. Double-click the download file. This will begin the firmware installation.

5. After the firmware installation is complete, print a test page or short document.

6. If your printer is still malfunctioning, you will need to use one of the Firmware Downgrade tools, described below, to install a previous version of the printer firmware.

7. The Downgrade Links below are the executable files for the firmware replacement. Click the one that matches your printer, and the file will be downloaded to your Downloads folder. This executable file will be used for installing the firmware into your printer. If none of these match your printer, skip to item 10.

8. Double-click the download file. This will begin the firmware installation.

9. Once the printer and/or computer notifies you that the installation was complete/successful, print a test page or small document to test the printer. It it prints correctly, then your are done with resetting the firmware.

10. If your printer is not among the ones listed below, or the Firmware Downgrade is listed is None, it means that the downgrade firmware for your printer is not readily available. If this is the case, open the HP Support page for your printer: https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/printers. Download and open the User Guide, and find the reference to "cold reset" in it.

11. Follow the instructions for performing a cold reset of your printer, which will reset the printer to its original firmware.

12. Once the printer and/or computer notifies you that the reset was complete/successful, print a test page or small document to test the printer. It it prints correctly, then you are done with resetting the firmware, and you can continue.

13. If your printer still reports that it will not print because of a non-HP or third party cartridge, it is likely caused by an HP printer driver. In Windows Settings, delete the printer and Add Printer, using the Windows default driver, or if it is unavailable, download and install the Basic Driver from the HP Support website referenced in item 2, above. If this still fails, please report the printer model and firmware version in the new Facebook group HP Printer Help Community.

14. The final step is to save the copy of the firmware that worked for you, (or a note to yourself that you performed a cold reset). Move or copy it from your Downloads folder to a new folder in Downloads (e.g. HP) so you can find it easily and install it again into your printer if an automatic firmware update causes problems in the future.

HP Printer Firmware Downgrade Links

HP Printer Software/Firmware Page
https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/printers

If you right-click the Software/Firmware link to a new tab, and specify your model name and number (e.g. OfficeJet Pro 8710) it will display the current HP software and firmware. Click on the "+" next to Firmware. There you will see the latest firmware update version and a Download button.

Please note: for each of these printers, I have provided the current (as of 3/7/2022) HP firmware link. HP has recently been providing firmware for some printers that apparently allows for third party ink and toner cartridges. If a link malfunctions, it means that HP has updated the firmware, please use the technique above to get the new firmware.

HP Color LaserJet Pro M153 / M154
HP Firmware Link: Likely allows third party cartridges
From https://ftp.hp.com: 20211221.exe
Downgrade Link (LD):
20211221.exe

HP Color LaserJet Pro M180 / M181
HP Firmware Link: Likely allows third party cartridges 
From https://ftp.hp.com: 20211221.exe
Downgrade Link (LD):
20211221.exe

HP Color LaserJet Pro M254 dn/nw
HP Firmware Link: Likely allows third party cartridges
From https://ftp.hp.com: 20211221.exe
Downgrade Link (LD):
20211221.exe

HP Color LaserJet Pro M254 dw
HP Firmware Link: Likely allows third party cartridges
From https://ftp.hp.com: 20211221.exe
Downgrade Link (LD):
20211221.exe

HP Color LaserJet Pro M280 / M281
HP Firmware Link: Likely allows third party cartridges
From https://ftp.hp.com: 20211221.exe
Downgrade Link (LD):
20211221.exe

HP OfficeJet 4620
HP Firmware Link:
From https://ftp.hp.com: OJ4620_1829A.exe
Downgrade Link: None

HP OfficeJet 4630
HP Firmware Link: allows third party cartridges
From https://ftp.hp.com: OJ4630_2025A.exe
Downgrade Link: None

HP OfficeJet 6950 series
HP Firmware Link: very likely allows third party cartridges
From https://ftp.hp.com: OJ6950_2150B.exe
Downgrade Link (CompAndSave):
OJ6950_1847A.exe

HP OfficeJet 6960 series
HP Firmware Link:
From https://ftp.hp.com: OJ6960_2151A.exe
Downgrade Link (CompAndSave):
OJ6960_1847A.exe

HP OfficeJet Pro 6960 series
HP Firmware Link:
From https://ftp.hp.com: OJP6960_2151A.exe
Downgrade Link (CompAndSave):
OJP6960_1847A.exe

HP OfficeJet Pro 6970 series
HP Firmware Link: 
From https://ftp.hp.com: OJP6970_2151A.exe
Downgrade Link (CompAndSave):
OJP6970_1847A.exe

HP OfficeJet Pro 7720
HP Firmware Link:
From https://ftp.hp.com: OJP7720_2151B.exe
Downgrade Link (CompAndSave):
OJP7720_1851A.exe

HP OfficeJet Pro 7730
HP Firmware Link:
From https://ftp.hp.com: OJP7730_2151B.exe
Downgrade Link (CompAndSave):
OJP7730_1851A.exe

HP OfficeJet Pro 7740
HP Firmware Link:
From https://ftp.hp.com: OJP7740_2151A.exe
Downgrade Link (CompAndSave):
OJP7740_1849A.exe

HP OfficeJet 8010 series
HP Firmware Link: likely allows third party ink
From https://ftp.hp.com: OJ8010_2202C.exe
Downgrade Link: None

HP OfficeJet Pro 8020 / 8030 series
HP Firmware Link: very likely allows third party ink
From https://ftp.hp.com: OJP8020_8030_2204A.exe
Downgrade Link: None

HP OfficeJet Pro 8210 series
HP Firmware Link: 
From https://ftp.hp.com: OJP8210_2151A.exe
Downgrade Link (CompAndSave):
OJP8210_1834A

HP OfficeJet Pro 8610 series
HP Firmware Link:
From https://ftp.hp.com: OJP8610_1910A.exe
Downgrade Link: None

HP OfficeJet Pro 8620 series
HP Firmware Link:
From https://ftp.hp.com: OJP8620_1910A.exe
Downgrade Link:
OJP8620_1828A.exe

HP OfficeJet Pro 8630 series
HP Firmware Link:
From https://ftp.hp.com: OJP8630_2022A.exe
Downgrade Link: None

HP OfficeJet Pro 8640 series
HP Firmware Link:
From https://ftp.hp.com: OJP8640_1910A.exe
Downgrade Link: None

HP OfficeJet Pro 8660 series
HP Firmware Link:
From https://ftp.hp.com: OJP8660_1910A.exe
Downgrade Link: None

HP OfficeJet Pro 8710 series
HP Firmware Link: allows third party ink (confirmed)
From https://ftp.hp.com: OJP8710_2204A.exe
Downgrade Link (CompAndSave):
OJP8710_1848A.exe

HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 series
HP Firmware Link:
From https://ftp.hp.com: OJP8720_2105A.exe
Downgrade link (CompAndSave):
OJP8720_1848A.exe

HP OfficeJet Pro 8730 series / 8740 series
HP Firmware Link:
From https://ftp.hp.com: OJP8730_8740_2151A.exe
Downgrade Link (CompAndSave):
OJP8730_8740_1903B.exe

HP Pagewide 352dw
HP Firmware Link: likely allows third party ink
From https://ftp.hp.com: PW352DW_2205D.exe
Downgrade Link (CompAndSave):
PW352DW_1829A.exe

HP Pagewide MFP 377/ 377dw
HP Firmware Link: likely allows third party ink
From https://ftp.hp.com: PW377DW_2205D.exe
Downgrade Link (CompAndSave):
PW377DW_2205D.exe

HP Pagewide Pro 452dn
HP Firmware Link: likely allows third party ink
From https://ftp.hp.com: PW452DN_2205D.exe
Downgrade Link (CompAndSave):
PW452DW_DN_1829A.exe

HP Pagewide Pro 452dw
HP Firmware Link:
From https://ftp.hp.com: PW452DW_2205D.exe
Downgrade Link (CompAndSave):
PW452DW_DN_1829A.exe

HP Pagewide Pro MFP 477dn
HP Firmware Link: likely allows third party ink
From https://ftp.hp.com: PW477DN_2205D.exe
Downgrade Link (CompAndSave):
PW477DW_DN_1829A.exe

HP Pagewide Pro MFP 477dw
HP Firmware Link: likely allows third party ink
From https://ftp.hp.com: PW477DW_2205D.exe
Downgrade Link (CompAndSave):
PW477DW_DN_1829A.exe

HP Pagewide Pro 552dw
HP Firmware Link: likely allows third party ink
From https://ftp.hp.com: PW552DW_2205D.exe
Downgrade Link (CompAndSave):
PW552DW_1829A.exe

HP Pagewide Pro MFP 577dw
HP Firmware Link: likely allows third party ink
From https://ftp.hp.com: PW577DW_2205D.exe
Downgrade Link (CompAndSave):
PW577DW_1829A.exe

HP Pagewide Managed P55250dw
HP Firmware Link: likely allows third party ink
From https://ftp.hp.com: PW55250_2205D.exe
Downgrade Link (CompAndSave):
PW55250_1829A.exe

HP Pagewide Managed P57750dw
HP Firmware Link: likely allows third party ink
From https://ftp.hp.com: PW57750_2205D.exe
Downgrade Link (CompAndSave):
PW57750_1829A.exe

Donation Request

We are looking for monetary donations as well as donations of operational computers (laptop, desktop, mini-tower, tower, tablet, Chromebook), printers, new/sealed printer cartridges, and other accessories (monitors, keyboards, mice, switches, routers, cables, power adapters, etc.).

GetConnected - Boston Community Computers is a project of the Adbar Women's Alliance, a non-profit (501c3) non-governmental organization. All donations are tax-deductible. Please use the PayPal donation button or contact us at the email below if you would like to make a direct donation to us.

If you don't have a PayPal account, PayPal will allow you to use any credit or debit card. PayPal is a completely safe, data secure funds transfer and payment service. Look for the lock symbol next to the PayPal URL (https://www.paypal.com), which guarantees that your payment is secure and encrypted.

GetConnected - Boston Community Computers
https://www.bostoncommunitycomputers.org
bostoncommunitycomputers@outlook.com

Adam Frost - Technical Director
adamfrost@computercareandlearning.com
617-522-1049
Roslindale, MA

Keywords: Social Justice Project, Social Action Project, Social Assistance Project,
Empowerment, Computer Skills Training, Computer Equipment Donation, Printer Donation

Here are the original HP printer firmware downgrade links.

Technical note: The fundamentals of using these downgrades are:
1. The printer update software must be set to not perform automatic firmware upgrades
2. The downgrade firmware is installed

The order of these  two operations appears to vary according to people who have used them. Most users report that stopping automatic firmware updates should be done first. Others - myself included - found that this step could be done after the downgrade firmware is installed. Additionally, some printers may need a "factory reset" operation to be done before the downgrade firmware is installed.

CompAndSave - In addition to an excellent firmware downgrade page, they also sell very high quality HP-compatible cartridges that are compatible with the recent HP firmware update. Check with their chat agents before ordering if you cannot downgrade your firmware. CompAndSave is a professionally-run organization, and they have live chat agents (not "chat-bots").
https://www.compandsave.com/hp-printer-firmware-downgrade
for 90x, 95x, 97x

LD Products - LD is one of the major manufacturers and distributors of re-manufactured cartridges, sold on their own website, Amazon, and 4Inkjets (below).
https://www.ldproducts.com/firmware-downgrade

4InkJets - In addition to an excellent firmware downgrade page, 4InkJets gets top rating by Top Ten Reviews in "Best discount ink cartridges 2021." Check with their chat agents - to make sure their cartridges are compatible with the new HP firmware upgrade - before ordering if you cannot downgrade your firmware.
https://www.4inkjets.com/firmware-downgrade
For 202 A/X, 902 XL, 952 XL

Please note that the CompAndSave printer list is incomplete. Use the download specified for the cartridge series for your printer.

Printers affected by HP's "firmware upgrade:"

HP 90x series (CompAndSave)
HP OfficeJet Pro 6950, 6951, 6954, 6956, 6958 All-in-One Printer
HP OfficeJet Pro 6960, 6962, 6968 All-in-One Printer
HP OfficeJet Pro 6970, 6975, 6978 All-in-One Printer
 

HP 95X Series (CompAndSave)
HP OfficeJet Pro 7720, 7730, 7740 Wide Format All-in-One Printer
HP OfficeJet Pro 8210, 8216, 8217 All-in-One Printer
HP OfficeJet Pro 8700, 8710, 8714, 8715, 8716, 8717, 8718, 8719 All-in-One Printer
HP OfficeJet Pro 8720, 8724, 8725, 8727, 8728 All-in-One Printer
HP OfficeJet Pro 8730, 8732M, 8734, 8735, 8735, 8736 All-in-One Printer
HP OfficeJet Pro 8740, 8743, 8744, 8745, 8746, 8747 All-in-One Printer
 

HP 97x Series (CompAndSave)
HP Pagewide 352dw
HP Pagewide MFP 377dw/dn
HP Pagewide Pro 452dw/dn
HP Pagewide Pro MFP 477dw/dn
HP Pagewide Pro 552dw
HP Pagewide Pro MFP 577dw/Z
HP Pagewide Managed P55250dw
HP Pagewide Managed MFP P57750dw
 

HP 202A/X Printers (4InkJets)+
HP Color LaserJet Pro M254 dw / nw Downgrade
HP Color LaserJet Pro M280 / M281 Downgrade
HP Color LaserJet Pro M153 / M154 Downgrade
HP Color LaserJet Pro M180 / M181 Downgrade

HP 951
OfficeJet Pro 8600, 8600 Premium, 8610, 8615, 8616, 8620, 8625
The printer firmware for this series has not yet been updated by HP, that is, the current firmware at HP's web pages for these printers accepts "non-HP" cartridges. However, there were reports in the past that some of these printers suddenly stopped working after some firmware upgrade, and they were not allowing the download of the functional firmware version. I am assuming that a factory reset of the printer would facilitate downloading the functional version. In any case, if your HP 8600 series printer is currently working, I recommend that you set the firmware update software to avoid further updates, as described above.
 

Please note: This is not an exhaustive list of all HP printers. I am collecting information and firmware links for others.