HP Dynamic Security: Difference between revisions

Line 10:

There are some printer models where Dynamic Security can easily be turned off:<ref>https://www.compandsave.com/how-to-disable-hp-cartridge-protection</ref>

==March 2025 Dynamic Security Firmware Update Issue==

In March 2025, a firmware updated resulted in many people's HP LaserJet MFP M234dw/dwe printers not printing when firmware version 20250209 was pushed to these printers. Unlike previous Dynamic Security updates which targeted ''aftermarket'' cartridges, this update caused printers to reject even genuine HP toner cartridges (both 134X & 134A models) with "Error 11" (Toner Supply Memory Problem).<ref>https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/forums/forumtopicprintpage/board-id/PostPrint/message-id/1034030/print-single-message/false/page/1</ref>

Users who had been printing with no issues before now had their printers displaying Error 11, with the web interface showing "Toner Supply Memory problem." Many users said that replacing cartridges with brand new HP-branded toner did not resolve the issue, making their printer unusable. One user said, ''"I have a $90 toner cartridge installed that has printed less than 50 of the 2400 pages it is rated for."''<ref>https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/forums/forumtopicprintpage/board-id/PostPrint/message-id/1034030/print-single-message/false/page/5</ref>

An HP Support Agent acknowledged the issue was related to Dynamic Security, stating: ''"The Error 11 (Toner Supply Memory Problem) on your HP LaserJet MFP M234dw after a recent firmware update is likely due to HP's Dynamic Security feature, which can block older or non-genuine cartridges—even if they worked fine before."''<ref>https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/forums/forumtopicprintpage/board-id/PostPrint/message-id/1033828/print-single-message/false/page/1</ref> The agent suggested cleaning contacts, downgrading firmware (if possible), or checking for newer firmware releases.

[[File:HP support admits backlash results in new firmware.png|alt=An HP support representative admitting out loud that HP releases new firmware after backlash from consumers, implying that he is used to complaints stemming from HP's business practices.|thumb|An HP support representative admitting out loud that HP releases new firmware after backlash from consumers, implying that he is used to complaints stemming from HP's business practices.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Laserget m234DW Error 11 - HP Support Community |url=https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/forums/forumtopicprintpage/board-id/PostPrint/message-id/1033828/print-single-message/false/page/1 |access-date=2025-03-11}}</ref>]]

Remarkably, the agent appears to be aware of HP's practices. When an HP support representative was asked about the issue on their community forums, they suggested that users wait for HP to potentially release a new firmware ''"after backlash from customers"''<ref>https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/forums/forumtopicprintpage/board-id/PostPrint/message-id/1033828/print-single-message/false/page/1</ref> - acknowledging that customer complaints would be necessary before the company would address the problem they had created.

Attempts by users to fix the issue through what HP support suggested on their forum didn't work. Some users who attempted to downgrade firmware wound up with even worse problems, with one reporting their printer displayed error code 49 and became ''"100% inaccessible via the EWS."''<ref>https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/forums/forumtopicprintpage/board-id/PostPrint/message-id/1034030/print-single-message/false/page/2</ref>

Several users reported that when contacting HP support, they were told "the problem is with the printer and not the firmware" & offered vouchers toward new HP products rather than a solution to fix their existing printers.<ref>https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/forums/forumtopicprintpage/board-id/PostPrint/message-id/1033828/print-single-message/false/page/1</ref> One user characterized this as ''"first HP breaks my printer with a malicious firmware and then forces me to buy a new one with a voucher. This is the scam of the century!"''

This incident highlights a significant risk of Dynamic Security: customers using OEM HP cartridges can still have their devices remotely bricked through firmware updates. Several users in the support forums reported switching to other printer brands as a result of this experience.

====1. Printers Manufactured Before December 1, 2016====

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 There are some printer models where Dynamic Security can easily be turned off:<ref>https://www.compandsave.com/how-to-disable-hp-cartridge-protection</ref>
+==March 2025 Dynamic Security Firmware Update Issue==
+In March 2025, a firmware updated resulted in many people's HP LaserJet MFP M234dw/dwe printers not printing when firmware version 20250209 was pushed to these printers. Unlike previous Dynamic Security updates which targeted ''aftermarket'' cartridges, this update caused printers to reject even genuine HP toner cartridges (both 134X & 134A models) with "Error 11" (Toner Supply Memory Problem).<ref>https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/forums/forumtopicprintpage/board-id/PostPrint/message-id/1034030/print-single-message/false/page/1</ref>
+Users who had been printing with no issues before now had their printers displaying Error 11, with the web interface showing "Toner Supply Memory problem." Many users said that replacing cartridges with brand new HP-branded toner did not resolve the issue, making their printer unusable. One user said, ''"I have a $90 toner cartridge installed that has printed less than 50 of the 2400 pages it is rated for."''<ref>https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/forums/forumtopicprintpage/board-id/PostPrint/message-id/1034030/print-single-message/false/page/5</ref>
+An HP Support Agent acknowledged the issue was related to Dynamic Security, stating: ''"The Error 11 (Toner Supply Memory Problem) on your HP LaserJet MFP M234dw after a recent firmware update is likely due to HP's Dynamic Security feature, which can block older or non-genuine cartridges—even if they worked fine before."''<ref>https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/forums/forumtopicprintpage/board-id/PostPrint/message-id/1033828/print-single-message/false/page/1</ref> The agent suggested cleaning contacts, downgrading firmware (if possible), or checking for newer firmware releases.
+[[File:HP support admits backlash results in new firmware.png|alt=An HP support representative admitting out loud that HP releases new firmware after backlash from consumers, implying that he is used to complaints stemming from HP's business practices.|thumb|An HP support representative admitting out loud that HP releases new firmware after backlash from consumers, implying that he is used to complaints stemming from HP's business practices.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Laserget m234DW Error 11 - HP Support Community |url=https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/forums/forumtopicprintpage/board-id/PostPrint/message-id/1033828/print-single-message/false/page/1 |access-date=2025-03-11}}</ref>]]
+Remarkably, the agent appears to be aware of HP's practices. When an HP support representative was asked about the issue on their community forums, they suggested that users wait for HP to potentially release a new firmware ''"after backlash from customers"''<ref>https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/forums/forumtopicprintpage/board-id/PostPrint/message-id/1033828/print-single-message/false/page/1</ref> - acknowledging that customer complaints would be necessary before the company would address the problem they had created.
+Attempts by users to fix the issue through what HP support suggested on their forum didn't work. Some users who attempted to downgrade firmware wound up with even worse problems, with one reporting their printer displayed error code 49 and became ''"100% inaccessible via the EWS."''<ref>https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/forums/forumtopicprintpage/board-id/PostPrint/message-id/1034030/print-single-message/false/page/2</ref>
+Several users reported that when contacting HP support, they were told "the problem is with the printer and not the firmware" & offered vouchers toward new HP products rather than a solution to fix their existing printers.<ref>https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/forums/forumtopicprintpage/board-id/PostPrint/message-id/1033828/print-single-message/false/page/1</ref> One user characterized this as ''"first HP breaks my printer with a malicious firmware and then forces me to buy a new one with a voucher. This is the scam of the century!"''
+This incident highlights a significant risk of Dynamic Security: customers using OEM HP cartridges can still have their devices remotely bricked through firmware updates. Several users in the support forums reported switching to other printer brands as a result of this experience.
 ====1. Printers Manufactured Before December 1, 2016====