HP rolled out an update for the Hewlett Packard Colour Laserjet Pro M280nw M281fdn and M281fdw multi-function color laser printers. In NZ these printers use the 202A and 202X series toner cartridges (CF500A, CF501A, CF502A, CF503A, CF500X, CF501X, CF502X, CF503X toner cartridges).
This firmware update stops you being able to use compatible/aftermarket toners, forcing you to buy the much more expensive genuine toners. The Firmware date code for the affected update is 20201021.
The previous firmware version that continues to work with compatible/aftermarket toners is 20200612.
You can check the firmware date code by going to Settings -> Service -> Firmware Datecode.
NOTE THIS GUIDE IS PROVIDED TO HELP THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO TRY ROLLING BACK THE FIRMWARE. IT SHOULD NOT BE ATTEMTPED BY THOSE WHO DONT UNDERSTAND THE RISKS INVOLVED. EASYINK PROVIDES THIS INFORMATION FREE BUT DOES NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS USE AND ANY OUTCOME.
The first step should always be to disable the automatic updates.
- Go to the setup menu
- Select Service
- Select Laserjet Update
- Select Manage Updates
- Select Check Automatically and Choose Off.
- Select Allow Updates and Choose No
- Select Allow Downgrade and choose Yes
- Download and extract the zip file from the link below.
- Open/run the firmware package that you have extracted and choose your printer model
- Click Send Firmware to start the process
- All going to plan you will be able to print with compatible toners again.
Please let us know if this process has helped you and if there is anything we can do to improve it.
work perfect, 5 stars, you saved my life
You are THE BEST!! Today I went to print a document and my HP printer informed me I didn’t have OEM cartridges installed. The printer would no longer operate and was essentially a very expensive boat anchor unless I forked over $300 to buy HP OEM cartridges. Your firmware update saved me $600 in not having to buy a new, non-HP replacement printer since I will no longer buy any of their products again. THANK YOU!!
Chris – USA
i love you guys!! thanks you so much, it worked good!
Hi There,
Firmware 20200612 is fine for NON-HP cartridges.
Firmware 20201021 blocked NON-HP cartridges.
I find that once the printer control panel displays Cartridge Block NON-HP. User cannot go in to change the setting such as Select Allow Updates, Allow Downgrade.
The user needs to put back the original HP cartridge to access the control panel for setting, the above setting are right except Allow Updates Choose YES first, after update/downgrade of firmware to 20200612, change Allow Updates to NO. Your NON-HP cartridegs are ready to use again.
That. was. AWESOME!!! Thanks! There were other sites that told me to download an FTP (But not how to USE an FTP!!) then download another downgrade file without clear instructions (about 3 hours of trying to figure out how to use the help thay provided!) but I followed your instructions and in 15-20 minutes I was freed from the tyranny of the mighty HP toner oppressors!! Great Job!
Thank you! It worked nicely for me!
I must have Allow upgrades at Yes or it will NOT upgrade. Reset to NO after firmware updated. Works well again!! Shame Shame on HP!!! Thanks for your help…I thought I would have to buy a different brand of laser for XMAS.
You have to allow update. After the installation you choose No to update
After my HP CLJ Pro MFP 281fdw was upgraded to FW Date 20211109, I had to do a Settings Reset to get the older FW to load.
This worked great. Thanks for providing it. Unfortunately, I had to purchase the genuine HP toner and put it in my printer before it would allow the firmware roll back. I tried replacing just the black first, but it still wouldn’t take. Oh well. I saved the old cartridges and will put them back in once the HP run out.
I believe you need to have auto update turned on when you do this. Once it’s rolled back, then turn it off. But thanks again. The wife is happy we have our printer back.
You have one instruction wrong. In order for this to work it needs to be:
Select Allow Updates and Choose YES.
Once the firmware is installed you should go back in and change it to NO.
Thank you for helping us out. I am a printer service technician and I find your solutions very helpful in my work. Thank you once again.