HP Dynamic Security

Dynamic Security is a technology implemented by HP in some of their printers to restrict the use of aftermarket cartridges. This technology ensures that only original cartridges can be used, and it operates through two main mechanisms:

1. Cartridge Policy: This feature ensures that only HP original cartridges are compatible with the printer. The ability to use non-HP cartridges is effectively disabled unless Dynamic Security is turned off.
2. Cartridge Protection: This feature permanently associates cartridges with the specific printer they are first installed in. Once a cartridge is linked to a printer, it cannot be refilled when it runs out of ink, or reused in another printer. Even swapping chips from an empty original cartridge to a new aftermarket one will not make it functional.

Potential security threats

HP claims that when using an aftermarket cartridge, the customer is exposed to quality and potential security risks, compromising the printing experience. To go into more detail on the security part, HP CEO Enrique Lores has explained that Dynamic Security aims to protect customer from viruses that could be injected into third party cartridges, and used to gain persistent access and full control of the printer. However, this type of attack has no real-world evidence to support it, as such an incident has never been documented. Experts argue that the risk of such an attack occurring is practically non-existent. It is worth noting that these security concerns only exist because HP's official cartridges contain chips, designed to verify authenticity and estimate ink levels. These chips are not essential for the printer to function properly. However, the ink level estimation feature is used to restrict certain functionalities, such as scanning, or faxing, when the one of four ink levels are too low.

How to disable Dynamic Security

There are some printer models where Dynamic Security can easily be turned off:

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).

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."

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." The agent suggested cleaning contacts, downgrading firmware (if possible), or checking for newer firmware releases.

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.

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" - 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."

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. 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

• HP Officejet Pro 6970, 7740, 8210, 8700
• HP Officejet 6950
• HP PageWide 300, 400, 500

2. All Printers, Regardless of Manufacturing Date

• HP OfficeJet 6810, 6820
• HP OfficeJet Pro 6230, 6830, 8610, 8620, 8630, 8640, 8660
• HP X451dn/dw, X476dn/dw, X551dw, X576dw

To do that, you can follow this guide.

References

• CAN Article regarding Class Action Lawsuit: https://clg.org/Class-Action/List-of-Class-Actions/HP-All-in-One-Printer-and-Third-Party-Ink-Cartridge-Incompatibility-Canadian-Class-Action
• US Article regarding Class Action Lawsuit: https://www.courthousenews.com/class-action-against-hp-over-all-in-one-printers-survives-motion-to-dismiss/
• CLASS ACTION: https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/hp-all-in-one-amended-complaint.pdf