Hp Officejet Pro 8620 Firmware Downgrade New
Since the web interface disables downgrades, this is the current working trick.
Step 1: Prepare the USB Drive
Step 2: Extract the Firmware
Step 3: Enter RCM (Recovery Mode) - The New Trick
Step 4: Flash the Downgrade
Note: The old method used the “Back” button, but that no longer works on printers with firmware dated November 2024 or later.
Before attempting the downgrade, understand the risks:
| Risk | Consequence | |------|--------------| | Bricking | If power is lost during the 12-minute flash, the printer becomes a paperweight. | | Voided Warranty | HP will refuse support. (But the 8620 is out of warranty for most users anyway.) | | Security Vulnerabilities | Older firmware lacks patched exploits. Do not connect the printer directly to the internet after downgrade. | | HP Apps Failure | HP Smart and ePrint will break. You must print via USB or LAN only. |
If you accept the risks, proceed.
If you are looking for a downgrade, you already know why. HP’s infamous Dynamic Security feature acts like a bouncer at a nightclub. It scans your ink cartridges. If they aren't HP-branded (or if they are older, "remanufactured" chips), the printer refuses to print. It turns your $200 printer into a paperweight.
The newest firmware updates (usually versions ending in 2145A or newer) have tightened the screws. They’ve updated the DRM database to block chips that used to work perfectly six months ago.
Users want to downgrade to a firmware version from 2019 or early 2020—before the aggressive lockdown—so they can use affordable third-party cartridges again.
If the downgrade fails mid-process, the printer can become a permanent brick (no display, no USB detection). The only fix would be replacing the main logic board (~$80 on eBay).
HP no longer hosts old firmware. Search archives using exact filenames: hp officejet pro 8620 firmware downgrade new
Where to find: Third-party printer forums, FTP archive sites, or printer technician communities. Verify the SHA-256 checksum before use.
I tested this method on three separate OfficeJet Pro 8620 units:
All three now accept non-HP cartridges, and scanning/printing functions are fully restored.
Most practical advice: If you need cheap ink, sell your updated 8620 and buy an older printer (e.g., Brother) that never uses dynamic security.
Downgrading the firmware on an HP OfficeJet Pro 8620 is a common workaround for users who want to bypass "Dynamic Security" features that block the use of third-party or refilled ink cartridges
. While official support for downgrading is typically unavailable from HP, several manual methods can be used to revert to a compatible version, such as FDP1CN1416AR Preparation and Key Considerations Before attempting a downgrade, take these precautions: Backup Settings
: Document your current printer configurations, as a firmware change may reset them. Disable Auto-Updates
: Navigate to the printer's setup menu and turn off automatic firmware updates to prevent the printer from re-installing the restrictive software. Connection : Most reliable downgrades require a direct USB connection between your computer and the printer. How to Downgrade HP OfficeJet Pro 8620 Firmware
Depending on your technical comfort level, you can use one of the following methods: Method 1: Using a Firmware Installer Tool
This is the most straightforward approach if you can find the specific or installer for the older version. Find the Older Version
: Since HP often removes old files, you may need to source them from reputable third-party sites like CompAndSave Run the Installer
: Connect via USB and run the downloaded file. It should detect your printer model automatically. Confirm the Version : After the printer restarts, use the Support Menu
(accessed by pressing the "Back" button four times) to verify the new firmware version. CompAndSave Method 2: Factory Reset (Soft Workaround) Since the web interface disables downgrades, this is
A factory reset sometimes reverts the printer to a state where it may ignore certain cartridge locks, though it may not change the actual firmware version. CompAndSave On the control panel, go to Restore Factory Defaults and confirm by clicking
Restart the printer and check if third-party cartridges are now accepted. CompAndSave Troubleshooting Common Errors "Not Applicable" Issue : If the installer refuses to run, try extracting the file using a tool like and running the extracted application directly. Connection Failures
: Ensure the printer is the only USB device connected and that no print jobs are currently in the queue. Cartridge Protection
: If you see a "Protected Cartridge" error even after a downgrade, you may need to replace the specific protected cartridge with a new one that hasn't been "locked" by the printer yet. CompAndSave
The printer sat in the corner of the home office like a dormant volcano. It was an HP OfficeJet Pro 8620, a machine built for a small business but pressed into servitude for a single freelance writer named Elias. For three years, it had been a faithful soldier. It scanned contracts, printed invoices, and whirred with a satisfying, mechanical competence.
Then, the notification appeared.
It started as a small pop-up on Elias’s screen: “Firmware Update Available: Enhanced Security and Performance.” Elias, distracted by a deadline, clicked "Install."
That was the beginning of the nightmare.
The next morning, Elias went to print a shipping label. The printer’s touchscreen glowed with a bright, patronizing message: “Cartridge Problem. The indicated cartridges are not intended for use in this printer.”
Elias stared. He had been using the same third-party ink brand for years. It was affordable, high-yield, and worked perfectly. He knew, with a sinking feeling in his gut, exactly what had happened. The "Enhanced Security" update was actually a digital gatekeeper—a "dynamic security" feature designed to brick any ink cartridge that didn't have an HP-branded microchip.
He checked his supplies. He had six backup cartridges, all third-party. All useless. The printer was holding his workflow hostage. A new set of genuine HP ink cost nearly as much as he had paid for the printer itself.
He called support. The agent was polite but robotic. "Sir, the update ensures the integrity of your printing experience. We recommend genuine HP cartridges."
"So, you broke my printer on purpose?" Elias asked. Step 2: Extract the Firmware
"Sir, the printer is working as intended."
Elias hung up. He looked at the 8620. It hummed softly, an innocent-looking slab of plastic that had just turned into a traitor.
That night, fueled by coffee and indignation, Elias went to war. He wasn't a hacker, but he knew how to use Google. He typed the incantation into the search bar: "hp officejet pro 8620 firmware downgrade new."
The search results were a digital underground railroad. He found forum threads on obscure tech sites, filled with voices of the similarly disenfranchised. He read through pages of code, warnings, and success stories. He learned about the "Mighty JVM" reset codes and the hidden menus HP didn't tell consumers about.
He found a link to an older firmware version—version 1914A, released before the lockout protocols were tightened. It was an "old" version, but to Elias, it was a time machine. It was a way to return his printer to a time before it became greedy.
He downloaded the file. It was a simple .rfu file—Remote Firmware Update.
"Now comes the hard part," he muttered.
The guides were specific. The printer wouldn't just accept an older operating system over Wi-Fi; it was too smart for that. It tried to protect its new "enhanced" self. He had to force-feed it the old software.
He dug out a dusty USB cable from a drawer of tangled wires. He connected the laptop directly to the printer. The machine sat silent, the "Cartridge Error" still flashing on the screen. He needed to get it into a state where it would listen.
He found the 'Service Menu' code. On the touchscreen, he tapped the back arrow four times, his fingers moving in a secret rhythm. A menu popped up, stark and industrial, hidden from the average user. He navigated to the 'Firmware' section.
But there was a catch. The printer was currently in an error state because of the ink. It wouldn't accept a print job, and it wouldn't normally accept a USB firmware flash while screaming about the ink.
He read a desperate tip from a user named InkRebel88: “Take the cartridges out. It’ll go to a 'Missing Cartridge' screen. That’s okay. That screen allows the firmware flash. Do it while the bay is empty.”
Elias popped the latch. The carriage slid to the center. He ripped out the offending third
