Printer Firmware Update Broke It – How to Roll Back

EP
Erropedia Team
📅 June 21, 2026 📅 Updated Sep 12, 2026 👁 86 views Hardware – Printers Intermediate
A firmware update can kill your printer's features. You can roll back if you've got the old firmware file and follow this order.

First Thing to Try (30 seconds)

Most printers keep one copy of the old firmware in a hidden partition. You can trigger a rollback by doing a full power cycle – not just turning it off and on.

  1. Unplug the printer from the wall – not just the power button.
  2. Wait 60 seconds. Yes, a full minute. The internal capacitors need to drain.
  3. Plug it back in and turn it on.

On some HP and Brother models, this boots the printer from the backup firmware partition. If your printer's screen shows "Firmware recovery" or a similar message, you're in luck – it's rolling back on its own. Let it finish. Don't interrupt.

If this doesn't work, your printer doesn't have a backup partition, or the update wiped it. Move to the next fix.

Manual Rollback via USB (5 minutes)

You need the old firmware file. If you never saved it, check the manufacturer's website – many keep old versions in a support archive. Failing that, try archive.org or a printer forum like FixMyPrinter.

The exact steps vary by brand, but the pattern is the same:

  1. Download the old firmware file. It's usually a .exe (HP), .bin (Brother), or .dfu (Epson).
  2. Connect your printer to the computer via USB – not Wi-Fi. A firmware flash over Wi-Fi can fail halfway, bricking the printer.
  3. Put the printer in firmware update mode. Look for this on the screen or in the manual. Common methods:
    • HP: Hold the "Wireless" and "Cancel" buttons while powering on.
    • Brother: Press "Menu" -> "Initial Setup" -> "Firmware Update" -> "Yes".
    • Epson: Hold the "Stop" button and press the "Power" button.
  4. Run the firmware file. It'll detect the printer in update mode and flash the old version.
  5. Wait. Do not touch the printer or the computer. A USB cable yank mid-flash can brick it permanently.

After it finishes, the printer should reboot with the old firmware. Check your settings – some reset to factory defaults during rollback.

Why this works: The firmware update tool doesn't check version numbers strictly – it just writes whatever file you give it. So an old file overwrites the new one.

Factory Reset Then Rollback (15+ minutes)

Some printers lock out manual update after a firmware update. You need to factory reset first to unlock the update mode.

  1. Factory reset the printer:
    • HP: Go to "Setup" -> "Restore defaults" -> "Restore network defaults" (not full reset if you want to keep settings).
    • Canon: Press "Menu" -> "Device settings" -> "Reset" -> "All data".
    • Brother: Press "Menu" -> "Initial Setup" -> "Reset" -> "All Settings".
  2. Wait for the printer to reboot. Now try the manual USB rollback from the previous step.
  3. If the manual update still fails, you might need recovery mode. Different printers have different recovery triggers:
    • HP: Unplug the printer, hold the "Power" button while plugging it in, release when the screen shows "Recovery mode".
    • Brother: Turn off, hold "Menu" and "Start" while powering on.
    • Epson: Press and hold the "Down" arrow while powering on.
  4. In recovery mode, the printer accepts firmware files via USB. Run the old firmware file again.

This takes longer because the factory reset wipes your network and settings. You'll have to reconfigure everything after rollback – Wi-Fi, static IP, paper size. Write them down first if you can.

If Nothing Works – The Last Resort

Sometimes the printer's bootloader is locked. Manufacturers like HP started signing firmware files in 2021. If your printer's from 2022 or later, rollback might be impossible without a service tool.

Your options then:

  • Contact support and lie – say you didn't update firmware, it happened automatically. Some will flash the old firmware for free.
  • Check for a third-party firmware like OpenWRT for printers. Rare but exists for some business models.
  • Use the printer in generic mode – some features still work even with the bad firmware.

One real-world trigger: HP's 2023 firmware update for OfficeJet Pro 9000 series disabled third-party ink cartridges. Users rolled back successfully with the old firmware from ftp.hp.com/pub/softlib/ – the path still works if you know the file name.

Stop Firmware Updates From Happening Again

Disable automatic updates in the printer's network settings. On HP, log into the printer's web interface (its IP address), go to "Settings" -> "Firmware updates" -> "Never". On Brother, it's under "Network" -> "Update" -> "Off".

Also block the printer's outbound internet access in your router's firewall. This stops the printer from phoning home. Set a rule for its MAC address to block port 443 (HTTPS) and port 80 (HTTP) to any IP outside your local network.

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