A sample of 50 HP OfficeJet Pro 8620 users who downgraded to version 1638A reported:
If you own an HP OfficeJet Pro 8620, you know it is a workhorse. Released as part of HP’s legendary Pro series, this all-in-one printer has served homes and small offices for years with reliable speed, duplex printing, and massive ink cartridge yields.
But recently, you may have noticed a change. Your printer doesn’t act the way it used to. Maybe it rejects third-party cartridges that worked yesterday. Maybe the touch screen is sluggish, or it refuses to scan to a network folder. You search online and find a controversial solution: Roll back the firmware. hp officejet pro 8620 firmware downgrade better
In this article, we will argue why an HP OfficeJet Pro 8620 firmware downgrade is better than living with the latest updates. We will cover the risks, the step-by-step process, and the undeniable benefits of running older, stable firmware.
Firmware updates are intended to fix bugs and improve security. However, for the HP OfficeJet Pro 8620, updates released after 2018 (e.g., versions 1739A, 1759A, and later) introduced Dynamic Security features that block cartridges using non-HP chips. This paper explores why reverting to firmware version 1638A or earlier is considered "better" by many users and service technicians. A sample of 50 HP OfficeJet Pro 8620
The HP OfficeJet Pro 8620, released in the mid-2010s, represents a golden era for all-in-one inkjet printers. It was lauded for its robust automatic document feeder, high-yield ink cartridges, and relatively user-friendly maintenance. However, as the device aged, a silent war emerged between the owner and the manufacturer. Through automatic updates, HP deployed firmware revisions that progressively restricted the printer's functionality—most notably, the ability to use third-party or refilled ink cartridges. Consequently, a niche but determined community of users turned to a forbidden practice: firmware downgrading. This essay argues that while downgrading the HP OfficeJet Pro 8620’s firmware is technically complex and violates HP’s end-user license agreement (EULA), it has become a necessary act of digital self-defense, restoring consumer autonomy and economic sanity to a device otherwise crippled by planned obsolescence.
HP defends its firmware updates as necessary for “ensuring print quality, preventing counterfeit cartridges, and protecting against security vulnerabilities.” Indeed, some third-party cartridges have been known to leak or cause printhead damage. However, critics argue that HP’s real motive is recurring revenue. The OfficeJet Pro 8620 was designed as a “razor-and-blades” model: sell the printer cheaply, then lock the customer into high-margin ink. Firmware updates are intended to fix bugs and
The downgrade movement is a direct manifestation of the Right to Repair philosophy. Owners argue that once they have purchased the hardware, they own it entirely—including the right to run whatever software (firmware) they choose. Downgrading is not piracy; it is a rollback to a previously functional state. In fact, several class-action lawsuits (e.g., In re: HP Printer Firmware Update Litigation, 2020) have alleged that HP’s forced updates constitute “bricking” and unfair business practices. While HP has settled some cases, paying small reimbursements to affected users, the fundamental firmware lock remains.
Pop in any $5 compatible cartridge. The printer accepts it without error. You can now refill the original cartridges using a resetter tool. Your cost per page drops from 10 cents to 2 cents.
The “Recommended update available” popup disappears permanently.