You’ve seen the notification on your HP Smart app or printer screen: “Printer Update Available.” It’s tempting to just hit “OK” or ignore it completely, but what does that update actually do?
It’s confusing. We know you just want your printer to work. A firmware update can be helpful, but for some users, it can cause new problems—most notably, blocking third-party ink cartridges.
As an online printer manual resource, we’re here to walk you through exactly what firmware is, the three safe ways to update it, and the critical pros and cons to help you decide if you should update at all.
What Is HP Printer Firmware? (And Why Does It Matter?)
Printer firmware is the internal operating system or “brain” of your printer. It’s the software stored inside the printer itself, and it controls everything from how the printer connects to Wi-Fi to how it reads an ink cartridge.
Just like your phone or computer, this software needs occasional updates.
Why It Updates (The Pros):
HP releases firmware updates for several legitimate reasons:
- Patches Security Flaws: This is the most important reason. Updates fix new vulnerabilities that could allow hackers to access your printer or network. This is a critical part of printer security. [Link to: hp-printer-security-risks]
- Fixes Bugs & Glitches: If your printer has issues with Wi-Fi connectivity, hangs on a “printing” status, or has trouble scanning, a firmware update can often fix these bugs.
- Adds New Features: Updates can sometimes improve print quality, add new menu options to your printer’s screen, or improve compatibility with the HP Smart app.
The Big Risk (The Cons):
There is one major “con” to be aware of: Dynamic Security.
Many HP firmware updates include “Dynamic Security,” a feature designed to block ink cartridges that do not have a new or reused HP chip.
This means a firmware update can cause your perfectly functional compatible or remanufactured cartridges to suddenly stop working, often giving you an HP printer cartridge failure error.
What to Do BEFORE You Update (A Critical Checklist)
Before you begin, follow these steps to prevent a simple update from turning into a major problem.
- Check Your Connection: Make sure your printer has a stable Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection. A failed update due to a dropped connection can cause serious errors.
- DO NOT Turn Off the Printer: Never, ever turn off your printer during a firmware installation. This can interrupt the process and “brick” the device, making it completely unusable.
- Check Your Ink (The “Third-Party” Warning): If you rely on non-HP ink cartridges to save money, you should strongly consider disabling automatic updates. If you must update, be aware that your current cartridges may no longer be recognized.
How to Update Your HP Printer Firmware (3 Methods)
Here are the three main ways to perform the update, from easiest to most advanced.
Method 1 – Using the Printer’s Control Panel (Recommended)
This is the most direct and reliable method.
- Best for: Printers with a touchscreen or LCD display.
- On the printer’s control panel, find the Setup menu (often a gear icon $\⚙$), Settings, or Maintenance menu.
- Select Printer Maintenance or Printer Updates.
- Tap Check for Updates Now.
- If an update is found, follow the on-screen prompts to install it. Remember, do not turn off the printer.
Method 2 – Using the HP Smart App
This is a convenient method for most modern HP printer users.
- Best for: Users who primarily manage their printer through the HP Smart app.
- Open the HP Smart app on your computer or mobile device.
- Click on the image of your printer to open the main settings screen.
- Scroll down and select Advanced Settings. (This may open a web browser page for your printer, known as the Embedded Web Server or EWS).
- Look for a tab or section labeled Printer Updates, Tools, or Web Services.
- Click Firmware Updates and then Check for Updates.
- Follow the instructions to install. If you have issues with the app, it may be a connection problem in your HP smart app.
Method 3 – Downloading from the HP Support Website
This is a manual method that is useful if the printer isn’t found on the app or you need to fix a failed update.
- Best for: When other methods fail or for printers connected via USB.
- Go to the official HP Customer Support – Software and Drivers website.
- Enter your printer model number (e.g., “HP OfficeJet Pro 9015”) and press submit.
- Select your operating system (e.g., Windows 11).
- Expand the “Firmware” section (you may need to click “All drivers”).
- Download the Firmware Updater utility.
- Run the downloaded file and follow the on-screen wizard, which will search for your printer on the network.
How to Turn Off Automatic HP Firmware Updates
If you want to control when or if your printer updates (especially to protect your third-party cartridges), you should turn off automatic updates.
- Why turn them off? To prevent your printer from automatically downloading an update that blocks your compatible ink.
The setting is usually in the same place you check for updates.
- Go to the Printer Updates menu (using Method 1 or 2 above).
- Look for “Update Options” or “Auto-Update”.
- Select “Do Not Check for Updates” or “Notify Before Installing” (this is a good compromise).
- Click Apply or Save.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Should I update my HP printer firmware?
- Yes, if… you always use genuine HP ink and want the latest security patches and bug fixes.
- No (or be careful), if… you rely on remanufactured or compatible ink cartridges, as the update may cause a cartridge failure.
How do I know what my current firmware version is? You can almost always find this by printing a Printer Status Report or Configuration Page from your printer’s settings menu. The firmware version will be listed.
My printer stopped working right after an update. What do I do? First, restart the printer. If it’s showing a cartridge error, the update may have flagged your ink. If the printer is completely unresponsive or stuck in an error loop, you may need to perform a factory reset.
Still Having Issues? Your Next Steps
We know how frustrating it is when a simple update causes a major headache. If your printer is now showing an error code or cartridge failure, you’re not alone.
The update may have permanently identified your cartridge as non-HP. Before buying new printer cartridges, try restarting the printer one more time to clear the error. If the problem persists, you may need to consult your official user manual for error code definitions or try a full factory reset.