Third-party status
BlockedBlocked after firmware 2606/2607
Third-party 148A/148X toner with non-HP chips is blocked after HP's March 2026 firmware on the 4101 family. Toner that reuses a genuine HP chip is the route HP says is allowed.
What to do now
- Use cartridges that reuse an original HP chip (some remanufactured cartridges do). HP says these are not affected by dynamic security.[3]Ask the seller if the chip is a reused HP chip before you buy.
- Turn off automatic firmware updates in the printer's web page (EWS). A toner seller's guide describes this for the 4001 and 4101 lasers.[5]Seller guide, not HP. It does not undo a block that already happened.
What to buy instead
- Genuine HP 148A / 148X. Always accepted.
- Remanufactured 148A with a reused HP chip. Check the chip is reused HP.
- Account required
- Only with HP+
- Cartridges
- HP 148A / 148X toner
- Blocking firmware
- HP firmware 2606 and 2607
- Last checked
Also applies to: Other LaserJet Pro MFP 4101 to 4104 models, including the 'e' (HP+) versions. Single-function sibling: LaserJet Pro 4001.
Third-party and remanufactured cartridges
- Int'l ITC says firmware 2606 and 2607 in March 2026 hit the HP 4001 and HP 4101 laser families.[1][2]
- HP's policy: cartridges with a non-HP chip may work for a time, then stop after an update. Reused HP chips are not affected.[3]
HP account, HP+ and Instant Ink
- Models ending in 'e' are HP+ printers. HP+ needs an HP account, internet and Original HP supplies for the life of the printer.[4]
- Models without the 'e' are standard dynamic-security printers with no HP+ requirement.[4]
Firmware that blocked cartridges
- Firmware 2606 and 2607 (March 2026). The sources do not say which number went to which 4101 model.[1]
To see your version, print a printer status report or open the printer's web page. Compare it with the firmware list.
Workarounds that sources back up
- Use cartridges that reuse an original HP chip (some remanufactured cartridges do). HP says these are not affected by dynamic security.[3] Ask the seller if the chip is a reused HP chip before you buy.
- Turn off automatic firmware updates in the printer's web page (EWS). A toner seller's guide describes this for the 4001 and 4101 lasers.[5] Seller guide, not HP. It does not undo a block that already happened.
What does not reliably work
- Firmware downgrades: a seller offers older 148A-family firmware for download, but HP does not support downgrades and we have not tested any file.[6]
- Switching HP+ off after activation. HP says it stays on for the life of the printer.[4]
What to buy instead
- Genuine HP 148A / 148X. Always accepted. Shop
- Remanufactured 148A with a reused HP chip. Check the chip is reused HP. Shop
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What we could not verify
- Which of 2606 or 2607 went to each 4101 model.
- Whether any seller's downgrade file restores third-party toner on current hardware.
- The exact on-printer menu path to stop updates on the 4101.
Know something we missed? Dated sources beat opinions. Corrections go on the page with a date.
Related guides
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Sources
- Int'l ITC: HP's Ongoing Lockout Campaign Continues (published Mar 31, 2026)
- The Recycler: I-ITC renews criticism of HP after firmware updates disable cartridges (published Apr 2, 2026)
- HP: Dynamic security enabled printers (PDF) (read Oct 21, 2026)
- HP+ frequently asked questions (read Oct 21, 2026)
- Toner-Inkjet (toner seller): How to turn off automatic firmware updates for HP 4001 and 4101 (read Oct 21, 2026)
- CompAndSave (ink seller): HP printer firmware downgrade (read Oct 21, 2026)