Brother printers are quietly sabotaging third-party toner with firmware updates

Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years.TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust WTF?! Brother, once praised as a consumer-friendly printer manufacturer, is now facing criticism for adopting anti-consumer practices similar to those of its competitors. Louis Rossmann, RepairTuber and right-to-repair advocate, recently voiced his disappointment over Brother's shift toward restrictive policies, particularly regarding third-party toner use. Brother printers had been lauded before for their compatibility with non-OEM toner cartridges, setting them apart from brands like HP. However, recent firmware updates have deliberately degraded print quality when non-Brother toner is used. This shift has left many consumers feeling betrayed and forced into purchasing more expensive OEM toner. The updates go beyond compatibility restrictions. Brother has removed previously available features, such as automatic color registration, for users who opt for third-party toner. While printers ... Read full article.