HP does it again, now blocks printers that use "third party ink"

HP has had a series of problems for several years and now once again facing customer frustration and, for good reason, the vendor continues to use firmware updates to discourage or, as users report, completely block the use of ink cartridges that are not of the brand. Yet despite all the outrage, HP continues to release these updates.

As we all know, HP printers are designed to work with ink and toner cartridges Original HP. As is customary in the printing industry, HP printers use a cartridge authentication process.

On some HP printers, this authentication process includes dynamic security measures. Dynamic security is based on the ability of the printer to communicate with security chips or electronic cartridges and in which dynamic security measures are used to protect the quality of your customers' experience, maintain the integrity of your printing systems and protect your intellectual property.

Printers with dynamic security features are designed to work only with cartridges that contain new or reused HP electronic chips or circuitry. Printers use dynamic security measures to lock cartridges that use non-HP chips or non-HP or modified electronic circuitry. Reused, reconditioned, and refilled cartridges that reuse the HP chip or electronic circuitry are not affected by dynamic security.

Dynamic security is a feature used by HP printers to authenticate ink cartridges and prevent the use of cartridges not approved by HP.

As the company explains:

Dynamic security is based on the printer's ability to communicate with security chips or electronic cartridges. HP uses proactive security measures to protect the quality of its customers' experience, maintain the integrity of its printing systems, and protect its intellectual property.

Printers with dynamic security features are designed to work only with cartridges that contain new or reused HP electronic chips or circuitry. Printers use dynamic security measures to lock cartridges that use non-HP chips or non-HP or modified electronic circuitry. Reused, reconditioned, and refilled cartridges that reuse the HP chip or electronic circuitry are not affected by dynamic security.

HP Community Threads include complaints about OfficeJet 7740 and OfficeJet Pro 6970. HP claims that these two printers, as well as others, are capable of bypassing dynamic security under specific conditions. However, HP's support page states that this only applies to models manufactured before December 1, 2016.

In 2016, HP implemented a security chip related update on OfficeJet, OfficeJet Pro, and OfficeJet Pro devices (see listings) to maintain secure cartridge-hardware communications. This meant that the devices would not work unless the supplies had a genuine HP security chip.

In 2022, HP has settled $1,3 million in litigation brought on behalf of European consumers. users of some of their printer models were upset because a secret firmware update which featured the dynamic security feature prevented them from using third-party supplies with a variety of HP printers.

Based on comments on the HP support community forums, HP OfficeJet 6978 and 6968 were recently affected. Both printers are no longer sold, but HP's product pages make it clear that the fickle nature of dynamic security means that third-party ink can stop working at any time.

Although HP has covered up a bit by saying that an HP printer with dynamic security can start blocking non-HP ink at any time and without warning, this does not make for a favorable customer experience, as numerous examples illustrate. HP support threads and social media posts.

Ink is only designed for use with cartridges with an Original HP chip. Cartridges that use a non-HP chip may not work, and those that work today may not work in the future,” the 6968 model page reads. The 6978 product page also states that the printer is designed for cartridges with a "new or reused HP" label.

HP indicates that firmware updates delivered periodically over the Internet will maintain the effectiveness of proactive security measures, but such updates may also prevent cartridges that use a modified non-HP chip or circuit from working in the printer, including cartridges that work today.

And what do you think about it? Do you think that the measures that HP takes are "good"?

Personally, I think that HP should stop doing this and look for new strategies that help avoid so much waste in cartridges and more today that it is necessary for many companies of this type and technologies to start with a change to green technology.