Brother printers causing issues with third party inks - Revision history

Matt78: Properly formatted some references.

2026-05-14T18:09:24Z

Properly formatted some references.

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:09, 14 May 2026
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	*'''Vendor lock-in via DRM''' – Printers continue to function with third-party toner but print at lower quality unless OEM toner is installed.		*'''Vendor lock-in via DRM''' – Printers continue to function with third-party toner but print at lower quality unless OEM toner is installed.
	*'''Anti-consumer software practices''' – Firmware updates cannot be easily rolled back, preventing consumers from restoring lost functionality.<ref name="github-fwupd">[https://github.com/sedrubal/brother_printer_fwupd/issues/9 Brother printer firmware downgrade discussion.]</ref>		*'''Anti-consumer software practices''' – Firmware updates cannot be easily rolled back, preventing consumers from restoring lost functionality.<ref name="github-fwupd">[https://github.com/sedrubal/brother_printer_fwupd/issues/9 Brother printer firmware downgrade discussion.]</ref>
	*'''Deceptive practices''' – Printers do not reject third-party toner but intentionally cause a toner failure, which discourages use of third party toners.<ref name="hackernews">[https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31860131 ~~Tell HN~~: ~~Brother printers now locking out non~~-~~OEM paraphernalia.]~~</ref><ref name="reddit-2" />		*'''Deceptive practices''' – Printers do not reject third-party toner but intentionally cause a toner failure, which discourages use of third party toners.<ref name="hackernews">{{Cite web \|date=2022-06-24 \|title=Tell HN: Brother printers now locking out non-OEM paraphernalia \|url=https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31860131 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260117124632/https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31860131 \|archive-date=2026-01-17 \|website=Hacker News}}</ref><ref name="reddit-2" />

	==How it works==		==How it works==
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	3. After updating, users report:		3. After updating, users report:

	*Color registration fails by default, causing misaligned prints.<ref name="cups">[https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/CUPS/Printer-specific_problems#Updating_the_firmware ~~ArchWiki~~ - Printer-~~specific problems with Brother.]~~</ref>		*Color registration fails by default, causing misaligned prints.<ref name="cups">{{Cite web \|title=CUPS/Printer-specific problems \|url=https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/CUPS/Printer-specific_problems#Updating_the_firmware \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260514170614/https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/CUPS/Printer-specific_problems#Updating_the_firmware \|archive-date=2026-05-14 \|website=ArchWiki}}</ref>
	4. Brother support acknowledges that installing OEM toner will immediately resolve the issue.<ref name="hackernews" />		4. Brother support acknowledges that installing OEM toner will immediately resolve the issue.<ref name="hackernews" />
	*Older firmware versions are removed from Brother’s servers, preventing firmware downgrades that would fix the issue while also allowing consumers to use their preferred toner.<ref name="github-ohbrother">[https://github.com/CauldronDevelopmentLLC/oh-brother/issues/30 ~~Discussion on firmware rollback for Brother printers~~.]</ref>		*Older firmware versions are removed from Brother’s servers, preventing firmware downgrades that would fix the issue while also allowing consumers to use their preferred toner.<ref name="github-ohbrother">{{Cite web \|date=2022-03-07 \|title=Possible to add an option to revert to a previous firmware version #30 ⸱ CauldronDevelopmentLLC/oh-brother \|url=https://github.com/CauldronDevelopmentLLC/oh-brother/issues/30 \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260514174728/https://github.com/CauldronDevelopmentLLC/oh-brother/issues/30 \|archive-date=2026-05-14 \|website=GitHub}}</ref>

	==Impact on consumer protection==		==Impact on consumer protection==
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	==Brother's response==		==Brother's response==
	On March 5th 2025, following the publication of a video on the Louis Rossmann YouTube channel, Brother addressed the issue in a response given to Ars Technica and stated the following: <ref name="ars-response">[https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/brother-denies-using-firmware-updates-to-brick-printers-with-third-party-ink/ ~~Brother~~ denies using firmware updates to brick printers with third-party ink]</ref>		On March 5th 2025, following the publication of a video on the Louis Rossmann YouTube channel, Brother addressed the issue in a response given to Ars Technica and stated the following: <ref name="ars-response">{{Cite news \|last=Harding \|first=Scharon \|date=2025-03-05 \|title=Brother denies using firmware updates to brick printers with third-party ink \|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/brother-denies-using-firmware-updates-to-brick-printers-with-third-party-ink/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260506074336/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/brother-denies-using-firmware-updates-to-brick-printers-with-third-party-ink/ \|archive-date=2026-05-06 \|work=Ars Technica}}</ref>
	<blockquote>		<blockquote>
	"We are aware of the recent false claims suggesting that a Brother firmware update may have restricted the use of third-party ink cartridges. Please be assured that Brother firmware updates do not block the use of third-party ink in our machines."		"We are aware of the recent false claims suggesting that a Brother firmware update may have restricted the use of third-party ink cartridges. Please be assured that Brother firmware updates do not block the use of third-party ink in our machines."

Bythmusters: added cargo

2026-01-31T19:40:01Z

added cargo

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:40, 31 January 2026
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			{{IncidentCargo
			\|Company=Brother Industries Ltd.
			\|StartDate=
			\|EndDate=
			\|Status=
			\|ProductLine=
			\|Product=
			\|ArticleType=
			\|Type=Third-party
			\|Description=
			}}
	[[Brother Industries Ltd.\|'''Brother''']] is a printer company that has allowed the use of third-party toner cartridges with their printer devices. Recent firmware updates have changed this practice by displaying an error message when consumers attempt to install their third-party toner that was previously allowed. When using the Brother printer with the toner of their choice, some users report a significant decrease in print quality, functionally disabling the printer unless OEM toner is installed.<ref name="reddit" />		[[Brother Industries Ltd.\|'''Brother''']] is a printer company that has allowed the use of third-party toner cartridges with their printer devices. Recent firmware updates have changed this practice by displaying an error message when consumers attempt to install their third-party toner that was previously allowed. When using the Brother printer with the toner of their choice, some users report a significant decrease in print quality, functionally disabling the printer unless OEM toner is installed.<ref name="reddit" />

Bythmusters: Added link to other third-party Brother article

2026-01-08T03:20:31Z

Added link to other third-party Brother article

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:20, 8 January 2026
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	==See also==		==See also==

	*[[HP Dynamic Security\|~~'''~~HP Dynamic Security~~'''~~]]		*[[HP Dynamic Security\|HP Dynamic Security]]
			*[[Brother DCP-L3550CDW aftermarket toner failure]]

	==References==		==References==

Charlie 6: Edited the link of FSF's comment

2025-12-18T17:54:14Z

Edited the link of FSF's comment

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:54, 18 December 2025
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	<blockquote>''Brother seems to be apparently accepting the ink, but then purposefully making the print quality poorer.''<ref name="hackernews" /></blockquote>		<blockquote>''Brother seems to be apparently accepting the ink, but then purposefully making the print quality poorer.''<ref name="hackernews" /></blockquote>
	===Free Software Foundation===		===Free Software Foundation===
	*FSF has listed this incident under the "Installing, deleting or disabling programs" in "Proprietary Back Doors" chapter<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2025-12-14 \|title=Proprietary Back Doors \|url=https://www.gnu.org/proprietary/proprietary-back-doors.html#~~universal~~ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251218062339/https://www.gnu.org/proprietary/proprietary-back-doors.html \|archive-date=2025-12-18 \|access-date=2025-12-18 \|website=GNU Operating System}}</ref>:		*FSF has listed this incident under the "Installing, deleting or disabling programs" in "Proprietary Back Doors" chapter<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2025-12-14 \|title=Proprietary Back Doors \|url=https://www.gnu.org/proprietary/proprietary-back-doors.html#install-delete \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251218062339/https://www.gnu.org/proprietary/proprietary-back-doors.html \|archive-date=2025-12-18 \|access-date=2025-12-18 \|website=GNU Operating System}}</ref>:
	<blockquote>When connected to the internet, some Brother printers suffer a firmware downgrade that degrades the printing quality when using third-party toner. This proves that these printers have a back door which lets Brother control them.		<blockquote>When connected to the internet, some Brother printers suffer a firmware downgrade that degrades the printing quality when using third-party toner. This proves that these printers have a back door which lets Brother control them.

Charlie 6: Edited the link of FSF's comment

2025-12-18T17:52:51Z

Edited the link of FSF's comment

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:52, 18 December 2025
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	*Users have noticed that Brother's printers do accept third-party toner instead of outright rejection. This leads some to suspect the consequential loss of print quality may be a deliberate act. One user stated:		*Users have noticed that Brother's printers do accept third-party toner instead of outright rejection. This leads some to suspect the consequential loss of print quality may be a deliberate act. One user stated:
	<blockquote>''Brother seems to be apparently accepting the ink, but then purposefully making the print quality poorer.''<ref name="hackernews" /></blockquote>		<blockquote>''Brother seems to be apparently accepting the ink, but then purposefully making the print quality poorer.''<ref name="hackernews" /></blockquote>
	===Free Software Foundation ===		===Free Software Foundation===
	*FSF has listed this incident under the "Installing, deleting or disabling programs" in "Proprietary Back Doors" chapter<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2025-12-14 \|title=Proprietary Back Doors \|url=https://www.gnu.org/proprietary/proprietary-back-doors.html \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251218062339/https://www.gnu.org/proprietary/proprietary-back-doors.html \|archive-date=2025-12-18 \|access-date=2025-12-18 \|website=GNU Operating System}}</ref>:		*FSF has listed this incident under the "Installing, deleting or disabling programs" in "Proprietary Back Doors" chapter<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2025-12-14 \|title=Proprietary Back Doors \|url=https://www.gnu.org/proprietary/proprietary-back-doors.html#universal \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251218062339/https://www.gnu.org/proprietary/proprietary-back-doors.html \|archive-date=2025-12-18 \|access-date=2025-12-18 \|website=GNU Operating System}}</ref>:
	<blockquote>When connected to the internet, some Brother printers suffer a firmware downgrade that degrades the printing quality when using third-party toner. This proves that these printers have a back door which lets Brother control them.		<blockquote>When connected to the internet, some Brother printers suffer a firmware downgrade that degrades the printing quality when using third-party toner. This proves that these printers have a back door which lets Brother control them.

Charlie 6: /* User evidence & reports */ added mention of this incident on GNU website

2025-12-18T06:26:38Z

User evidence & reports: added mention of this incident on GNU website

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:26, 18 December 2025
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	*Users have noticed that Brother's printers do accept third-party toner instead of outright rejection. This leads some to suspect the consequential loss of print quality may be a deliberate act. One user stated:		*Users have noticed that Brother's printers do accept third-party toner instead of outright rejection. This leads some to suspect the consequential loss of print quality may be a deliberate act. One user stated:
	<blockquote>''Brother seems to be apparently accepting the ink, but then purposefully making the print quality poorer.''<ref name="hackernews" /></blockquote>		<blockquote>''Brother seems to be apparently accepting the ink, but then purposefully making the print quality poorer.''<ref name="hackernews" /></blockquote>
			===Free Software Foundation ===
			*FSF has listed this incident under the "Installing, deleting or disabling programs" in "Proprietary Back Doors" chapter<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2025-12-14 \|title=Proprietary Back Doors \|url=https://www.gnu.org/proprietary/proprietary-back-doors.html \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251218062339/https://www.gnu.org/proprietary/proprietary-back-doors.html \|archive-date=2025-12-18 \|access-date=2025-12-18 \|website=GNU Operating System}}</ref>:
			<blockquote>When connected to the internet, some Brother printers suffer a firmware downgrade that degrades the printing quality when using third-party toner. This proves that these printers have a back door which lets Brother control them.

			As a general precaution, users should make sure their printer can't connect to the manufacturer's server, for example by shielding it from the internet by a firewall. This will not restore the ability of printers to use third-party toner if they have already lost it, but will prevent any future downgrades. All printer manufacturers are concerned, not only Brother.</blockquote>

	===Reddit reports (r/printers)===		===Reddit reports (r/printers)===

Sojourna: /* References */ ref html to reflist, changed category spellings for proper style

2025-10-27T21:11:49Z

References: ref html to reflist, changed category spellings for proper style

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:11, 27 October 2025
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	==References==		==References==
	~~<references />~~		{{Reflist}}

	[[Category:Brother]]		[[Category:Brother]]
	[[Category:Digital ~~Restrictions~~]]		[[Category:Digital restrictions]]
	[[Category:Vendor ~~Lock~~-in]]		[[Category:Vendor lock-in]]
	[[Category:Post-~~Sale Firmware Lockouts~~]]		[[Category:Post-sale firmware lockouts]]

Beanie Bo: moved Response section further down for better organization of the argument; added context for the quotes and chart

2025-08-25T18:09:39Z

moved Response section further down for better organization of the argument; added context for the quotes and chart

@@ Line 23: / Line 23: @@
 *No prior warning of change in the printer's core functionality had been given before these firmware updates were installed.
 *Workarounds tend to involve blocking the firmware updates or attempting downgrading the firmware, both of which Brother actively discourages.
 ==User evidence & reports==
 ===Hacker News Discussion (2022)===
@@ Line 53: / Line 39: @@
 ===Quality example===
 [[File:Brother HL-L9310CDW 1.69 1.32 before registration deleted.png|alt=Brother HL-L9310CDW 1.69 1.32, before deletion of colour registration.|none|thumb|800x800px|Brother HL-L9310CDW 1.69 1.32, before deletion of color registration.]]
 ==Comparison to other industry decisions==
 {| class="wikitable"
 !Company!!Tactic Used

Beanie Bo: removed bad source

2025-08-25T17:46:47Z

removed bad source

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:46, 25 August 2025
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	[[Brother Industries Ltd.\|'''Brother''']] is a printer company that has allowed the use of third-party toner cartridges with their printer devices. Recent firmware updates have changed this practice by displaying an error message when consumers attempt to install their third-party toner that was previously allowed. When using the Brother printer with the toner of their choice, some users report a significant decrease in print quality, functionally disabling the printer unless OEM toner is installed.<ref name=":0"~~>{{Cite web \|last=Jacobs \|first=Skye \|date=2025-03-05 \|title=Brother printers are quietly sabotaging third-party toner with firmware updates \|url=https:~~/~~/www.techspot.com/news/107022-brother-printers-quietly-sabotaging-third-party-toner-firmware.html}}</ref~~>		[[Brother Industries Ltd.\|'''Brother''']] is a printer company that has allowed the use of third-party toner cartridges with their printer devices. Recent firmware updates have changed this practice by displaying an error message when consumers attempt to install their third-party toner that was previously allowed. When using the Brother printer with the toner of their choice, some users report a significant decrease in print quality, functionally disabling the printer unless OEM toner is installed.<ref name="reddit" />

	==Relevant practices==		==Relevant practices==
	*'''Post-Sale Function Removal''' – Firmware updates retroactively remove previously available features, such as automatic color registration, for users using non-OEM toner.<ref name="reddit">[https://www.reddit.com/r/printers/comments/s9b2eg Brother MFC firmware update - non-genuine toner now disables critical features.]</ref><ref name="reddit-2">[https://www.reddit.com/r/printers/comments/w60687/brother_mfcl3370cdw_firmware_downgrade_needed/ Brother MFC-L3370CDW Firmware Downgrade needed]</ref>		*'''Post-Sale Function Removal''' – Firmware updates retroactively remove previously available features, such as automatic color registration, for users using non-OEM toner.<ref name="reddit">[https://www.reddit.com/r/printers/comments/s9b2eg Brother MFC firmware update - non-genuine toner now disables critical features.]</ref><ref name="reddit-2">[https://www.reddit.com/r/printers/comments/w60687/brother_mfcl3370cdw_firmware_downgrade_needed/ Brother MFC-L3370CDW Firmware Downgrade needed]</ref>
	*'''Vendor lock-in via DRM''' – Printers continue to function with third-party toner but print at lower quality unless OEM toner is installed.~~<ref name=":0" />~~		*'''Vendor lock-in via DRM''' – Printers continue to function with third-party toner but print at lower quality unless OEM toner is installed.
	*'''Anti-consumer software practices''' – Firmware updates cannot be easily rolled back, preventing consumers from restoring lost functionality.<ref name="github-fwupd">[https://github.com/sedrubal/brother_printer_fwupd/issues/9 Brother printer firmware downgrade discussion.]</ref>		*'''Anti-consumer software practices''' – Firmware updates cannot be easily rolled back, preventing consumers from restoring lost functionality.<ref name="github-fwupd">[https://github.com/sedrubal/brother_printer_fwupd/issues/9 Brother printer firmware downgrade discussion.]</ref>
	*'''Deceptive practices''' – Printers do not reject third-party toner but intentionally cause a toner failure, which discourages use of third party toners.<ref name="hackernews">[https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31860131 Tell HN: Brother printers now locking out non-OEM paraphernalia.]</ref><ref name="reddit-2" />		*'''Deceptive practices''' – Printers do not reject third-party toner but intentionally cause a toner failure, which discourages use of third party toners.<ref name="hackernews">[https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31860131 Tell HN: Brother printers now locking out non-OEM paraphernalia.]</ref><ref name="reddit-2" />
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	#'''HL-L9310CDW (with firmware main 1.69, sub 1.31):''' On the menu of the printer, delete the color registration to improve quality by reducing the misalignment of the individual colors. However, the best solution is to have a configuration option to set the offset individual (X, Y) for each color with the smallest possible increment, perhaps through an external (CUPS) printer driver.		#'''HL-L9310CDW (with firmware main 1.69, sub 1.31):''' On the menu of the printer, delete the color registration to improve quality by reducing the misalignment of the individual colors. However, the best solution is to have a configuration option to set the offset individual (X, Y) for each color with the smallest possible increment, perhaps through an external (CUPS) printer driver.

	== See also ==		==See also==

	* [[HP Dynamic Security\|'''HP Dynamic Security''']]		*[[HP Dynamic Security\|'''HP Dynamic Security''']]

	==References==		==References==

Emanuele: added link to similar incident with HP

2025-08-18T20:40:10Z

added link to similar incident with HP

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:40, 18 August 2025
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	[[Brother Industries Ltd.\|Brother]] is a printer company that has allowed the use of third-party toner cartridges with their printer devices. Recent firmware updates have changed this practice by displaying an error message when consumers attempt to install their third-party toner that was previously allowed. When using the Brother printer with the toner of their choice, some users report a significant decrease in print quality, functionally disabling the printer unless OEM toner is installed.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Jacobs \|first=Skye \|date=2025-03-05 \|title=Brother printers are quietly sabotaging third-party toner with firmware updates \|url=https://www.techspot.com/news/107022-brother-printers-quietly-sabotaging-third-party-toner-firmware.html}}</ref>		[[Brother Industries Ltd.\|'''Brother''']] is a printer company that has allowed the use of third-party toner cartridges with their printer devices. Recent firmware updates have changed this practice by displaying an error message when consumers attempt to install their third-party toner that was previously allowed. When using the Brother printer with the toner of their choice, some users report a significant decrease in print quality, functionally disabling the printer unless OEM toner is installed.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Jacobs \|first=Skye \|date=2025-03-05 \|title=Brother printers are quietly sabotaging third-party toner with firmware updates \|url=https://www.techspot.com/news/107022-brother-printers-quietly-sabotaging-third-party-toner-firmware.html}}</ref>

	==Relevant practices==		==Relevant practices==
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	\|'''Brother'''\|\|Print degradation for non-OEM toner users		\|'''Brother'''\|\|Print degradation for non-OEM toner users
	\|}		\|}


	==Mitigations available to users==		==Mitigations available to users==
	#'''Avoid Firmware Updates''' – Disable auto-updates to prevent forced function removal. This may, however, lead to security risks.		#'''Avoid Firmware Updates''' – Disable auto-updates to prevent forced function removal. This may, however, lead to security risks.
	#'''Attempt to downgrade''' – Some users have managed to roll back firmware, though this is becoming increasingly difficult.<ref name="github-ohbrother" />		#'''Attempt to downgrade''' – Some users have managed to roll back firmware, though this is becoming increasingly difficult.<ref name="github-ohbrother" />
	#'''HL-L9310CDW (with firmware main 1.69, sub 1.31):''' On the menu of the printer, delete the color registration to improve quality by reducing the misalignment of the individual colors. However, the best solution is to have a configuration option to set the offset individual (X, Y) for each color with the smallest possible increment, perhaps through an external (CUPS) printer driver.		#'''HL-L9310CDW (with firmware main 1.69, sub 1.31):''' On the menu of the printer, delete the color registration to improve quality by reducing the misalignment of the individual colors. However, the best solution is to have a configuration option to set the offset individual (X, Y) for each color with the smallest possible increment, perhaps through an external (CUPS) printer driver.

			== See also ==

			* [[HP Dynamic Security\|'''HP Dynamic Security''']]

	==References==		==References==