HP apologises for lack of communication over 'timebomb' software update

Customers will be able to undo the software update that made printers reject third-party ink cartridges

HP has promised to reverse a software update which left printer owners unable to use third-party ink cartridges, apologising to customers for the lack of communication.

The software update left printers rejecting ink cartridges that did not contain a security chip made by HP, even if the printer had previously accepted the ink cartridges and printed perfectly acceptably. Worse, the update appeared to fire on a time-delay: it was shipped in March, but ink cartridges were only rejected in September.