Printer Firmware Updates & Generic Cartridges

What Is Printer Firmware?

Firmware is the internal software built into your printer. It controls how the printer starts, communicates with your computer, reads cartridges, manages ink or toner levels, and responds to error messages.

It is different from the printer driver on your computer. A driver helps your computer talk to the printer, while firmware lives inside the printer itself.

Printer manufacturers release firmware updates to fix bugs, improve security, adjust printer behaviour, or change how the printer checks cartridges.

Why Firmware Matters for Cartridges

Many compatible and generic cartridges contain a chip that communicates with the printer. This chip tells the printer that the cartridge is installed, what colour it is, and sometimes its ink or toner status.

When printer firmware is updated, the printer may change how it reads cartridge chips. A cartridge that worked before the update may suddenly show an error, even if the cartridge itself is not faulty.

What Customers Should Look Out For

Firmware updates may happen manually, through your printer screen, through printer software on your computer, or automatically if automatic updates are enabled.

Common update prompts may say things like:

• Printer update available
• Firmware update available
• Printer security update
• Product improvement update
• Update required to continue

After a firmware update, cartridge errors may include:

• Cartridge cannot be recognised
• Ink cartridge cannot be detected
• Supply problem
• Non-genuine cartridge detected
• Replace cartridge
• Cartridge problem

How Updates Affect Generic Cartridges

• Generic cartridges are often designed to match the firmware version available at the time they were manufactured.
• After an update, the printer may behave like a revised version of the same model and may not recognise older compatible cartridges.
• For example, a printer may still look like the same model to the customer, but internally the firmware may have changed how cartridges are validated.
• This can lead to “cartridge cannot be recognised” or similar error messages.

Before You Accept a Firmware Update

If you use compatible or generic cartridges, read update prompts carefully before accepting them.

1. Check whether the update is described as a firmware, security, product improvement or printer update.
2. Consider whether your printer is currently working correctly before installing the update.
3. If your printer allows it, turn off automatic firmware updates to reduce the chance of unexpected cartridge compatibility issues.
4. If you are unsure, use genuine cartridges for the most reliable compatibility.

Some printer updates may be important for security or printer performance. Customers should make their own decision based on how they use the printer and whether they rely on generic cartridges.

Common Issues & Possible Solutions

• If the printer shows a cartridge recognition error after an update, remove and reinstall the cartridge first.
• Turn the printer off at the power point, wait a few minutes, then restart the printer.
• Check whether the printer manufacturer provides an option to roll back to a previous firmware version.
• If the cartridge is no longer compatible with the updated firmware, genuine cartridges may be required to restore normal operation.

Our Recommendation

If you are unsure about firmware updates, or if you need the most reliable cartridge compatibility, we recommend using genuine cartridges.

Genuine cartridges are designed by the printer manufacturer and are the safest choice for customers who want to avoid firmware-related compatibility issues.

Refund Policy

Generic cartridges that become unusable because of a printer firmware update are not eligible for refund.

This is because the cartridge may have been compatible when supplied, but the printer software changed after purchase.