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       HP and other printer makers are notorious for releasing firmware updates that break printers you buy that try to use non-HP ink. Now HP is being accused of releasing a firmware update that broke customers’ laser printers, even though the devices used HP-branded toner.
       The update in question is firmware version 20250209, which HP released on March 4 for its LaserJet MFP M232-M237 models. According to HP, the update includes “security updates,” “regulatory updates,” “general improvements and bug fixes,” and IPP Everywhere fixes. Looking back at the fixes and changes from the old update that are included in the new update, I don’t see anything out of the ordinary. The old update mentioned things like “print quality fixes to ensure borders aren’t clipped on certain document types” and “improvements to the firmware update and cartridge rejection process.” But there’s no mention of changes to the way the printers use or read toner.
       However, after updating the device to version 20250209, users began reporting sudden problems when using HP toner in the M232–M237 series printers. Users of HP support forums report seeing error code 11 and the toner light on the device flashing when trying to print. Some say they have cleaned the contacts and reinstalled the toner, but the printer still does not print.
       ”This is so frustrating because this is my small business printer and it just stopped working[,] and I even had to replace the printer[,] which cost me $60,” one forum user wrote on March 8.
       HP has not yet specified how widespread the issue is. But this is not the first time HP has broken a customer’s printer because of an update. For example, in May 2023, a firmware update caused several HP OfficeJet printers to stop printing and display a blue screen for several weeks.
       Some people are impatient with HP printer failures due to bad printer upgrade experiences and HP’s controversial stance on intentionally breaking HP printers when using third-party inks. As one forum commenter wrote:
       …which is bad news for HP. We’re just the ones who noticed it and knew how to post on the forum. Imagine how many other users were affected by this and thought their printer was broken.
       Some commentators have begun to use the current discontent to lure HP customers to its rival printer maker Brother.
       ”I went to Walmart and bought a similar Brother printer for $144,” one user wrote on the HP forums. “It’s not perfect, but there’s no automatic firmware update, and the new printer has its own 250-sheet tray and manual feed, which is fine. Just a little bigger than the HP. A little slower on first page out, but I’m in no rush.”
       A video recently surfaced online claiming that Brother had redesigned its laser printers to stop printing or produce worse results when using third-party toner. Brother has denied Ars’ claims.
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