Should You Update the Firmware on Your Epson ET-8500? A Complete Q&A Guide

Question: Is ON20O9 the latest firmware version for the Epson ET-8500, and is it worth updating?

A customer with an Epson ET-8500 asked whether FW version ON20O9 is the latest release. They also wondered what benefits-if any-exist when updating the firmware, especially considering the risk of damaging an expensive printer.

Answer:

Regarding your question about firmware ON20O9 on the Epson ET-8500:

Firmware updates from Epson are a sensitive subject, and with good reason. Epson has a long history of using firmware updates to restrict third-party supplies or change internal behaviors in ways that don't benefit users. Because of this-and based on years of hands-on repair experience-we generally do not recommend updating Epson firmware unless absolutely necessary.

Here are the important points to consider:

1. Is ON20O9 the latest firmware?

Epson does not publicly provide an easy, centralized list of firmware versions for all EcoTank models. Firmware updates also vary by region, production batch, and even printer revision. Because of this, it's extremely difficult to confirm whether ON20O9 is their most current release without directly checking Epson's update utility-which we do not recommend running.

So while ON20O9 may be current, the bigger takeaway is this:
Knowing whether it's the latest version doesn't change our guidance-not updating is usually safer.

2. What are the risks of updating firmware?

Many customers are surprised to learn that firmware updates often create problems rather than solve them. Common issues include:

• Introducing chip lockouts that prevent the use of third-party cartridges or refillable systems

• Causing communication errors with third-party consumables

• Unexpected print failures after the update

• Mainboard corruption, which can happen if the update fails or is interrupted

• Permanent printer failure ("bricking")-rare, but it happens often enough for us to caution against updates

Your concern about "bricking a $600 printer" is absolutely valid.

3. What benefits does Epson claim?

Epson usually lists very vague benefits such as:

• "Improved stability"

• "Bug fixes"

• "Enhanced user experience"

However, from our extensive repair work and customer reports, these benefits rarely translate into improvements you will notice.

In truth, many firmware updates seem to benefit Epson, not the user.

4. Why we recommend avoiding Epson firmware updates

Based on years of working with these printers, our position remains clear:

Updating Epson firmware often does more harm than good.

Because of that, even though we repair mainboards and can fix firmware-damaged units, we still advise customers not to update unless a critical issue requires it.

And if the worst does happen, yes-BCH Technologies does offer mainboard repair services, and we are always happy to help.

Addressing printer issues can be tricky because they require hands-on evaluation. For this reason, we're not able to offer remote troubleshooting, detailed repair suggestions, or step-by-step support. We do provide in-person diagnostics and full printer or component repairs through our local service center, which you can find here: BCH Printer Repair Service (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Due to high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and there may be a waiting period before we can check in your printer. While our repair options are thorough, they may not be the most budget-friendly, so we strongly encourage exploring self-help resources online-especially through YouTube. On our channel, you can use the search button next to "About" to find videos related to your model or issue. With nine years of content, even I sometimes forget what we've covered, but YouTube's search tools make it much easier to navigate and even recommend helpful videos from other creators.

Thank you again for being a long-time supporter and customer. We truly appreciate your trust, your questions, and your engagement with our community. If you ever need further assistance, feel free to reach out anytime.