How to prevent automatic printer updates

 

What do we mean by ‘original’ and ‘compatible’ cartridges

When talking about ink or toner cartridges, original cartridges are made by the same company as your printer (e.g., HP, Canon, Epson).

Compatible cartridges are third-party alternatives made to work with your specific printer model. They’re often more affordable than original brand cartridges and usually contain more ink.

Opting for compatible or ‘own-brand’ cartridges can significantly reduce your printing costs without sacrificing print quality.

Why do I need to prevent automatic updates on my printer?

Opting for our 123ink version cartridges ensures optimal performance with your printer as they are tested to international quality standards - all while lowering your printing costs.

Although, printer manufacturers rely on the sale of branded cartridges and toners—not the printers themselves. As a result, they’re constantly working to block the use of compatible consumables (like our own-brand 123ink version cartridges) through firmware updates. For example, HP have recently released a firmware update to prevent the use of compatible cartridges.

We're continuously improving our cartridge chips to ensure your printer accepts them without any issues.

However, you may need to use original cartridges from time-to-time. It’s an ongoing game of “cat and mouse” between manufacturers and compatible cartridge sellers. If your printer performs automatic updates, you might find yourself temporarily unable to use compatible cartridges.
 

What can you do to avoid this?

The solution is simple: turn off automatic updates. This can be done directly via your printer, your computer, or the printer's app.

How to disable automatic firmware updates via the control panel on your printer

Depending on the manufacturer and model of your printer—such as HP, Epson, Canon, or Brother—you can try one of the options below to disable automatic updates.

Option 1

1. Click on the dark blue bar at the top of your printer’s screen, and then select Setup.
2. Scroll down to Printer Maintenance and then click Update the Printer.
3. Select Printer Update Options and then click Do Not Check.
4. Make sure to press NO when asked if you want to turn on printer updates.

Option 2

1. Select Config from the main menu on your printer.
2. Once in the configuration menu, scroll down to Extra and press OK.
3. Scroll down to Update the Printer and press OK.
4. Select Update Automatically and press OK.
5. Scroll down to Off and press OK.
6. You will then see a message on the screen advising you to allow the printer to check for updates regularly, make sure to click NO.

Going forward you should be able to keep using the 123ink own-brand cartridges without firmware updates affecting their operation.

How to disable automatic HP firmware updates via the control panel on your computer

If you have a HP printer specifically, you can try the following methods to disable automatic software updates.

1. Firstly, open up the HP update option.

On Windows 10 and Windows 11, click Start, click All Apps, click HP and HP Update.

On Windows 8, choose + Q on your keyboard, type HP Update in the search bar and click on HP Update in the results list.

On Windows 7/Vista, click Start, click All Programs, click HP and click HP Update.

On Windows XP, click Start, click All Programs, click on the HP map and click HP Software Update.

On Apple OS X, Mac uses its own software. No updates will take place via OS X.



2. Click on the Settings button. The HP Update Settings popup will appear.

3. Select Never and click on the OK button.



Close the HP Update program by clicking the X button.

How to disable automatic HP firmware updates via the HP Smart app (Android and Apple smartphones and tablets)

If you use a smart app for your printer connectivity, for example the HP Smart App, follow the below steps to disable and prevent automatic firmware updates.

1. Click on the printer image on the home screen.
2. Click Advanced Settings.
3. Click Tools.
4. Click Printer Updates and click Firmware Updates.
5. Select “Do not check for updates” and click Apply.
6. A popup will appear with the following question: “Do you want to turn on printer updates?”, make sure to click No.

Our customer service team are here to help

If you need any assistance during this process, our Customer Service team is happy to guide you through the steps. Just contact us by email info@123ink.ie or call us on 01 808 1244 between 08:00 and 17:00 Monday - Thursday (08:00 to 15:00 on Fridays).