In September 2016, HP activated a firmware update to a number of their printers which caused most remanufactured cartridges to be reported as not working, usually with the "cartridge missing or damaged" error message. Later updates have caused similar issues.
This is because HP have included what they call a "dynamic security feature" which is essentially designed to reject remanufactured cartridges. Following a negative media reaction, HP agreed to make it possible to disable the feature by installing an optional further update.
You can download the firmware update from HP's support site - the table below provides direct downloads as well as links to the appropriate page on HP's official site where you will find the file hosted.
Downloads and links
Be careful to select the right printer, especially noting 68 at the beginning of some models and 86 at the beginning of others, and the difference between "dn" and "dw" in some of the Pro X series. If your printer model is not listed here, it may not have a solution provided by HP, but please get in touch with us as we may have some specific advice for you.
| Printer | PC Firmware | Mac Firmware | HP Support Site |
| OfficeJet Pro 6230 series | DOWNLOAD | DOWNLOAD | LINK |
| OfficeJet 6810 series | DOWNLOAD | DOWNLOAD | LINK |
| OfficeJet 6820 series | DOWNLOAD | DOWNLOAD | LINK |
| OfficeJet Pro 6830 series | DOWNLOAD | DOWNLOAD | LINK |
| OfficeJet Pro 8610, 8615, 8616 series | DOWNLOAD | DOWNLOAD | LINK |
| OfficeJet Pro 8620, 8625 series | DOWNLOAD | DOWNLOAD | LINK |
| OfficeJet Pro 8630 series | DOWNLOAD | DOWNLOAD | LINK |
| OfficeJet Pro 8640 series | DOWNLOAD | DOWNLOAD | LINK |
| OfficeJet Pro 8660 series | DOWNLOAD | DOWNLOAD | LINK |
| OfficeJet Pro X451dn | DOWNLOAD | DOWNLOAD | LINK |
| OfficeJet Pro X451dw | DOWNLOAD | DOWNLOAD | LINK |
| OfficeJet Pro X476dn | DOWNLOAD | DOWNLOAD | LINK |
| OfficeJet Pro X476dw | DOWNLOAD | DOWNLOAD | LINK |
| OfficeJet Pro X551dw | DOWNLOAD | DOWNLOAD | LINK |
| OfficeJet Pro X576dw | DOWNLOAD | DOWNLOAD | LINK |
The PC firmware versions are compatible with Windows 7 onward, and the Mac versions with OS 10.9 onward.
Should you prefer to download the firmware directly from HP's support site, just click the "link" button for the appropriate page.
Instructions - downloads
The files are .exe (Windows) and .dmg (Mac OS) format, so just need to be run from the location that they have downloaded to. There will be some simple on-screen prompts to follow. More detailed instructions are available on HP's support page about this issue.
Instructions - HP support site link
When you arrive at this page, first ensure that the correct operating system is selected (the page will try to detect the OS, you can change this if you need to). Then click the "Firmware" link below.
The firmware version that the site selects for you will have different letters at the beginning and/or end depending on your printer model, but should include the number 1640, 1733, 1739 or 1741.
A window will appear asking if you would like to use HP's Download and Install assistant - if you are not familiar with firmware installation this is recommended. If you select this option, you will just need to follow the on-screen prompts as the software takes you through the process.
The alternative is to download the file only, and manually install it. Should you need any help with this, please tell us your operating system version and we will try to assist. Alternatively, HP will be able to help you with a manual installation.
When the new firmware is installed, you can exit any open processes. You may need to turn the printer off and back on again for your remanufactured cartridges to be recognised.
Need more help?
If you're having difficulty installing the new firmware, or need any other advice, please let us know and our experts will be happy to assist you.
Comments
4 comments
It appears HP has removed most of those links. Do you know of any mirrors?
Here is a link to the official HP Support article with working links: https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-officejet-pro-8620-e-all-in-one-printer-series/5367611/model/5367613/document/c05308850/
Hi, thanks for pointing out that the links seem to be out of date. It looks as though HP have removed firmware version 1640 which was specifically released to fix this problem. I'd be surprised if the files aren't hosted by someone out there, but I can't find them on any reputable sites and I'm not going to recommend anywhere that I'm not personally familiar with.
The good news is that the HP article you linked to seems to be saying that version 1733 (assuming you've got the 8620 printer) will do the same job, so I'll be updating our article today with the current links.
If you've tried the download from that HP page, please let me know how you got on with it - I can try some of them out, but I rely on feedback to get the full picture!
Yes I installed the firmware listed in the article for my 8620 and my third-party ink cartridges work again. What is even stranger is I had disabled updates since I purchasing the printer, the original firmware was still installed, and my third party cartridges were working fine for months.
My theory is the firmware I originally had would allow third party cartridges to work for a short period, and then issued the "cartridge missing or damaged" error to give the appearance of low quality third party issues. I hope this new firmware doesn't have a similar count down to when third party cartridges will be disabled. I'd still like to get my hands on a 1640 release just in case.
Now as far as the old links are concerned, I don't trust them, but it's possible they may have removed the old firmware due to security issues. I never bothered asking them on their forum. I'm making sure to keep this 1733 firmware file in case they also take them down and the printer somehow "accidentally" updates.
My printer 3632 updated inself and installed illegal DRM timebom firmware 1750B.
My refilled cartridge was working until on April 2, 2018 it started to show cartridge failed and was refusing to work.
Under EU law blocking the work of 3rd party cartridges and making cartridges inoperable is illegal.
I also fully documented the way on how to bypass easily HP DRM timebomb.
1) Make sure printer is restricted from using internet and wifi, you can reset it before and set up it blocking future firmware updates.
2) power off the printer
3) set time on computer connected to the printer as Jan 1, 2018.
4) Power on the printer.
5) Old cartridge will work as a charm.
6) The fact that simply changing the time makes "Failed" cartridge to work shows that HP using illegal DRM practice which violates EU law.
before future printing set January 1st time, otherwise printer will get same error
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