Hackers have found a new way to bypass DRM protection in HP cartridges

With high prices for original cartridges, users are resorting to creative solutions to extend the life of their printers. A new hack allows you to use refillable cartridges using an ultra-thin circuit board.

Image Source: Jay Summet/YouTube

The situation on the cartridge market is such that many manufacturers, including HP, are raising prices for their inks. This is done in order to compensate for losses from selling printers at low prices. As a result, consumers are increasingly turning to third-party cartridges. To combat this, HP and other companies install special chips in printers that, even if there is ink, the printer refuses to print after reaching a set limit.

Image Source: Jay Summet/YouTube

A thin board with a microcircuit is installed on the contacts of the original cartridge, which intercepts signals going to the printer. The chip modifies information about the number of pages printed, causing the printer to “think” that the cartridge is original.

HP defends its policy of restricting the use of third-party cartridges, citing security concerns. The company even launched an advertising campaign claiming that its printers were “designed to be less hated.” However, users see this only as an attempt to make extra profits, which pushes them to look for workarounds. Many lawsuits have already been filed against DRM protection in printers, but litigation often lasts for years. In the meantime, users are forced to look for ways to reduce the cost of printing.