I should not have bought a new Printer

[Flopper]

After years of messing around with HP printers, I finally decided to bite the bullet and get a black-and-white laser printer. I’d read good things about Brother's printers and I found one for $200—no color, no sheet feeder, no fax. Just a simple B&W laser printer with a scanner. Sounded perfect for what I needed. Operating cost? Less than 2 cents a page. What could go wrong?


Well... a lot.

The fun started with the installation. Total nightmare. It insisted I connect the printer to my computer with a USB cable. But the printer lives downstairs, and I was planning to use it over my local network. Why would I need a USB connection to my printer? Still, I gave in, dragged the computer closer, and even bought a long USB cable. But then I got an error saying the signal was too weak—apparently, a USB cable over 10 feet is “too long.”

After some back-and-forth with Brothers tech support, I ended up removing the Brothers USB print driver entirely. That finally stopped it from demanding a USB connection, and I managed to get it working over the network. Victory? Not quite.

Then I find out it needs a firmware update. Fine. I click the “Update Firmware” button in their app... and it asks for the printer password. A password? For a printer? I didn’t even know it had one. Turns out it’s printed on the back of the machine. So I head downstairs, find what looks like a password, go back up, type it in... and after pretending to update the firmware for five minutes, it says the password is incorrect.

Why does it take five minutes to realize a password is wrong?

I double-check the password. Still the same. I try again, typing super carefully. Still no luck. And since there's no “show password” option, I can't even be sure I'm not mistyping something. Then it tells me I need to change the password. Great. How exactly do you change a password that’s embossed on the back of the printer?


More research. Turns out I’d need to reset the printer to factory settings to change the printer password, which would erase everything—including the network setup—and bring me right back to the cursed USB cable. And even then, there’s no guarantee that a new password would work.

I call Brother support. The guy casually tells me I don't actually need the firmware update. He had no idea why the software was telling me otherwise.

So now, my old HP printer is back downstairs, happily doing its job. The Brother printer? I gave it to my grandson—he loves technical puzzles. And honestly, since my HP is over 10 years old, it doesn’t ask for firmware updates or password protection. It just prints. Like a printer should.

 

[Grumblenuts]

Good story. My sister still refills her own print cartridges. I've had pretty good luck with Epson WF-3620s lately (for the past 25 years or so).

 

[MisterBeale]

.

 

[WelfareQueen]

I find it ironic that technology that is supposed to make everything easier typically makes everything more complicated and a pain in the ass.

Plug it in...it should work. End of story.

 

[Rambunctious]

Wireless printer/copier is what I use... made by Canon... I can print from anywhere in my house from my laptop or my computer in my man cave or my computer in my shop...
It was easy to set up and download the software...
My last HP printer was a nightmare so I switched to Canon...

 

[Muhammed]

Good story. My sister still refills her own print cartridges. I've had pretty good luck with Epson WF-3620s lately (for the past 25 years or so).

I've had an Epsom Workforce 520 printer/copier/scanner/fax at home for ~20 years. My only complaint is that it won't work without yellow ink. It will work without the other colors, it just won't work when yellow is empty.

Why won't it work without yellow ink? Here's why...

 

[JustAnotherNut]

And that's why I don't have a printer.

If I need anything printed, I go to the library....IF theirs is working. Luckily they have a few. Let them deal with the frustrations.

 

[BothWings]

Wireless printer/copier is what I use... made by Canon... I can print from anywhere in my house from my laptop or my computer in my man cave or my computer in my shop...
It was easy to set up and download the software...
My last HP printer was a nightmare so I switched to Canon...

I like my Canon T9000 series too. I just wish it had fax capability. Scans, prints and copies wonderfully. Almost 7 years and going strong.

 

[Flopper]

I find it ironic that technology that is supposed to make everything easier typically makes everything more complicated and a pain in the ass.

Plug it in...it should work. End of story.

You are so right. And that is double for printers. I Have not seen any major approvements in printers in last 10 to 15 years. Yet they keep updating drivers and software to provide features that sparks little interest from users. What so many technology companies are doing is turning customer and technical support which is traditional a cost center into a profit center.

 

[Flopper]

Good story. My sister still refills her own print cartridges. I've had pretty good luck with Epson WF-3620s lately (for the past 25 years or so).

My daughter has an Epson that produces gorgeous prints and it must be at least 10 years old now.

 

[frigidweirdo]

After years of messing around with HP printers, I finally decided to bite the bullet and get a black-and-white laser printer. I’d read good things about Brother's printers and I found one for $200—no color, no sheet feeder, no fax. Just a simple B&W laser printer with a scanner. Sounded perfect for what I needed. Operating cost? Less than 2 cents a page. What could go wrong?


Well... a lot.

The fun started with the installation. Total nightmare. It insisted I connect the printer to my computer with a USB cable. But the printer lives downstairs, and I was planning to use it over my local network. Why would I need a USB connection to my printer? Still, I gave in, dragged the computer closer, and even bought a long USB cable. But then I got an error saying the signal was too weak—apparently, a USB cable over 10 feet is “too long.”

After some back-and-forth with Brothers tech support, I ended up removing the Brothers USB print driver entirely. That finally stopped it from demanding a USB connection, and I managed to get it working over the network. Victory? Not quite.

Then I find out it needs a firmware update. Fine. I click the “Update Firmware” button in their app... and it asks for the printer password. A password? For a printer? I didn’t even know it had one. Turns out it’s printed on the back of the machine. So I head downstairs, find what looks like a password, go back up, type it in... and after pretending to update the firmware for five minutes, it says the password is incorrect.

Why does it take five minutes to realize a password is wrong?

I double-check the password. Still the same. I try again, typing super carefully. Still no luck. And since there's no “show password” option, I can't even be sure I'm not mistyping something. Then it tells me I need to change the password. Great. How exactly do you change a password that’s embossed on the back of the printer?


More research. Turns out I’d need to reset the printer to factory settings to change the printer password, which would erase everything—including the network setup—and bring me right back to the cursed USB cable. And even then, there’s no guarantee that a new password would work.

I call Brother support. The guy casually tells me I don't actually need the firmware update. He had no idea why the software was telling me otherwise.

So now, my old HP printer is back downstairs, happily doing its job. The Brother printer? I gave it to my grandson—he loves technical puzzles. And honestly, since my HP is over 10 years old, it doesn’t ask for firmware updates or password protection. It just prints. Like a printer should.

We had a Canon printer. My other half bought cheaper ink for it, it didn't like this, stopped printing, if there's no ink, it won't let you scan.

Scammers.

 

[Rambunctious]

I like my Canon T9000 series too. I just wish it had fax capability. Scans, prints and copies wonderfully. Almost 7 years and going strong.

The fax capability units are huge... I wanted fax capability too back when I bought this printer but I found I never fax anyone anymore... seems like everything now is email...

 

[Flopper]

Wireless printer/copier is what I use... made by Canon... I can print from anywhere in my house from my laptop or my computer in my man cave or my computer in my shop...
It was easy to set up and download the software...
My last HP printer was a nightmare so I switched to Canon...

The last HP series of printers that really worked well and were made to last was the 8600 series which was first introduced in 2011. I am using one now. Every couple of years, I have to remove the print heads and give them a good cleaning. They have been a real workhorse for me. So much of what is being produced today is just cheap junk.

 

[Flopper]

We had a Canon printer. My other half bought cheaper ink for it, it didn't like this, stopped printing, if there's no ink, it won't let you scan.

Scammers.

Most printers today are like that. Even if you only print B/W documents, an empty color cartridge makes the printer unusable.

For those people that have ink cartridge printers but rarely print color, they should consider getting a B/W laser and do the rare color prints at an office depot or other such office supply place. Ink that is rarely used will stop up the print heads. If the ink heads get to stopped up it can make cleaning almost impossible.

 

[1srelluc]

Meh, when one $100 HP printer shits the bed I just go out and buy another $100 HP printer. The current one is a wireless HP 6452e. It's a couple years old now.

About all I print are shipping labels anyway so I guess on average they last 6-8 years.

 

[BothWings]

The fax capability units are huge... I wanted fax capability too back when I bought this printer but I found I never fax anyone anymore... seems like everything now is email...

You have to shop a little, but you can find free Android fax apps, where you get maybe 10 free faxes before you have to start paying. For me that goes a long way. What I do is scan stuff from the Canon to my phone, then use the fax app to fax it. Unfortunately in some cases I've had to use a 2nd app to concert from jpg to pdf format. I really only send about 2 to 3 faxes a year.

 

[Dekster]

After years of messing around with HP printers, I finally decided to bite the bullet and get a black-and-white laser printer. I’d read good things about Brother's printers and I found one for $200—no color, no sheet feeder, no fax. Just a simple B&W laser printer with a scanner. Sounded perfect for what I needed. Operating cost? Less than 2 cents a page. What could go wrong?


Well... a lot.

The fun started with the installation. Total nightmare. It insisted I connect the printer to my computer with a USB cable. But the printer lives downstairs, and I was planning to use it over my local network. Why would I need a USB connection to my printer? Still, I gave in, dragged the computer closer, and even bought a long USB cable. But then I got an error saying the signal was too weak—apparently, a USB cable over 10 feet is “too long.”

After some back-and-forth with Brothers tech support, I ended up removing the Brothers USB print driver entirely. That finally stopped it from demanding a USB connection, and I managed to get it working over the network. Victory? Not quite.

Then I find out it needs a firmware update. Fine. I click the “Update Firmware” button in their app... and it asks for the printer password. A password? For a printer? I didn’t even know it had one. Turns out it’s printed on the back of the machine. So I head downstairs, find what looks like a password, go back up, type it in... and after pretending to update the firmware for five minutes, it says the password is incorrect.

Why does it take five minutes to realize a password is wrong?

I double-check the password. Still the same. I try again, typing super carefully. Still no luck. And since there's no “show password” option, I can't even be sure I'm not mistyping something. Then it tells me I need to change the password. Great. How exactly do you change a password that’s embossed on the back of the printer?


More research. Turns out I’d need to reset the printer to factory settings to change the printer password, which would erase everything—including the network setup—and bring me right back to the cursed USB cable. And even then, there’s no guarantee that a new password would work.

I call Brother support. The guy casually tells me I don't actually need the firmware update. He had no idea why the software was telling me otherwise.

So now, my old HP printer is back downstairs, happily doing its job. The Brother printer? I gave it to my grandson—he loves technical puzzles. And honestly, since my HP is over 10 years old, it doesn’t ask for firmware updates or password protection. It just prints. Like a printer should.

brother used to be a lot better than they are now. They have mostly become a company obsessed with making sure you use their official toner cartridges than anything else. I had insane drum life out of my first brother laser printer--I was probably in the 80K-100K when the drum died. I used that thing like mad for 10 years. It was when I switched to the multifunction machines that i saw their quality start falling, especially over the last 5-6 years.

 

[EvilCat Breath]

I always use HP, printer, laptop, it's all HP. My printer prints from my laptop, both tablets and phone. I plugged it in, put the network password in and away we go.

 

[iamwhatiseem]

It, literally, should be a crime the way printers are presented to the public today. Particularly HP.
When you install the printer, not only is it insanely over complicated to the point you would swear they are doing it on purpose - but it is also filled with software you don't need, and whose purpose is to spy on you and report to HP how you use their printer, and by what applications.
BUT - worse than that is they are deadset on you subscribing to their ink supply subscription. Which FORCES you to buy ink, even if you don't need it. And FORCES you to change ink before it has run out.
Anyone who has any experience knows you can shake toner, and/or tap it and get another 100 sheets or so out of it. NOPE. Their software won't let you. It will NOT print unless you change the ink, even if it is printing fine.
Thankfully right now HP is dealing with multiple class action law suits because of their "Printer Mafia" tactics, Recently paying $4,000,000.

 

[Dr.Destructo]

After years of messing around with HP printers, I finally decided to bite the bullet and get a black-and-white laser printer. I’d read good things about Brother's printers and I found one for $200—no color, no sheet feeder, no fax. Just a simple B&W laser printer with a scanner. Sounded perfect for what I needed. Operating cost? Less than 2 cents a page. What could go wrong?


Well... a lot.

The fun started with the installation. Total nightmare. It insisted I connect the printer to my computer with a USB cable. But the printer lives downstairs, and I was planning to use it over my local network. Why would I need a USB connection to my printer? Still, I gave in, dragged the computer closer, and even bought a long USB cable. But then I got an error saying the signal was too weak—apparently, a USB cable over 10 feet is “too long.”

After some back-and-forth with Brothers tech support, I ended up removing the Brothers USB print driver entirely. That finally stopped it from demanding a USB connection, and I managed to get it working over the network. Victory? Not quite.

Then I find out it needs a firmware update. Fine. I click the “Update Firmware” button in their app... and it asks for the printer password. A password? For a printer? I didn’t even know it had one. Turns out it’s printed on the back of the machine. So I head downstairs, find what looks like a password, go back up, type it in... and after pretending to update the firmware for five minutes, it says the password is incorrect.

Why does it take five minutes to realize a password is wrong?

I double-check the password. Still the same. I try again, typing super carefully. Still no luck. And since there's no “show password” option, I can't even be sure I'm not mistyping something. Then it tells me I need to change the password. Great. How exactly do you change a password that’s embossed on the back of the printer?


More research. Turns out I’d need to reset the printer to factory settings to change the printer password, which would erase everything—including the network setup—and bring me right back to the cursed USB cable. And even then, there’s no guarantee that a new password would work.

I call Brother support. The guy casually tells me I don't actually need the firmware update. He had no idea why the software was telling me otherwise.

So now, my old HP printer is back downstairs, happily doing its job. The Brother printer? I gave it to my grandson—he loves technical puzzles. And honestly, since my HP is over 10 years old, it doesn’t ask for firmware updates or password protection. It just prints. Like a printer should.

I feel your pain and anguish.
And migraine.

I went thru a lot of home printers for years. Most all of them were ok, except for having to shovel a LOT of money into cartridges. So, I learned how to buy the generic replacement inks and reuse my old cartridges.

Until HP and some of the other printer companies decided they were going to jack up the price of their printer cartridges and start making their cartridges and printers where you CANNOT refill them or use used cartridges in place of new ones.
You HAVE to buy brand new company cartriges or they just don't work.

Now the printer companies have these machines update every couple of months. This "update" isn't really an update for anything, it's a program that relays your printer usage information back to the company. This is so they can know if you are trying to "screw the company" by using other things and not THEIR brand new, over priced products. AND these "updates" are geared for forcing your printer to stop functioning if they are messed with in any way.

Right now I have a Canon multi function Eco Tub printer. I got tired of wasting so much money on ink cartriges, so I got one of these Eco tank printers. I've had the printer for 5 years now, and I've only had to fill up the ink tanks once. And they are only half way down as of today.

I don't use them that much, but it sure saves me a ton of money on ink cartridges. And when it asks for installing updates, I just click the window off my screen. It won't pop up again for a couple months.........so its not really a bother.

Greedy bastards at these tech companies.