Why Your Epson XP-4205 Won’t Recognize Ink Cartridges After a Firmware Update (And What You Can Do About It)

Customer’s Question:
After updating the firmware on my Epson XP-4205 printer, it stopped recognizing my ink cartridges. These are brand-new cartridges that worked fine before the update. I’ve already tried removing, cleaning, and reinserting them, but the issue persists. What can I do to resolve this issue?

Answer:

Understanding the Problem: Firmware Update & Ink Cartridge Recognition

When you update the firmware on an Epson printer like the XP-4205, it may contain new security checks that specifically block the use of third-party or refilled cartridges. This is not a bug—unfortunately, it’s an intentional move by Epson to protect their proprietary ink sales.

After an update, your printer’s system may display a message like:

• “Ink cartridge not recognized”

• “Cartridges need to be replaced”, even when they are new.

This happens because the firmware is now checking for the chip ID or ink monitoring technology that might not match Epson’s new standards.

What You Can Do to Fix It

Here are several steps you can take, ranging from the simplest to more advanced technical options:

1. Avoid Updating Firmware in the Future

This is crucial going forward. Disabling automatic updates can prevent this problem from happening again. We’ve created a detailed guide here:
How to Disable Epson Printer’s Automatic Updates
(https://bchtechnologies.com/blogs/blog/how-to-disable-an-epson-printers-automatic-updates?srsltid=AfmBOor_UdFJyb1rjkkY9sm1H9QIXR1rllwnZI-XVKgiB62Q3uMxAZ6t)

2. Contact Epson Directly

If you're still under warranty or using OEM cartridges, it may be worth contacting Epson support to report the issue and see if they offer assistance, especially if the update caused the malfunction.

3. Roll Back the Firmware

There are two primary ways to do this:

• Use Epson's Recovery Firmware:
  Restart the printer in service mode (the method varies by model, often involving a button combination during power-on) and apply Epson’s older firmware version. If successful, this will restore functionality to compatible cartridges.

• Use WICReset Utility:
  Download the WICReset tool, which offers firmware downgrade options for supported models. There may be a small fee for the downgrade key, but it's a safer and faster alternative than hardware modification.

4. Use a BIN Dump + EEPROM Reprogramming (Advanced)

If the update caused corruption in the EEPROM (which stores the printer’s core data), you can flash an older version of the firmware manually:

• Search for a BIN dump file for the XP-4205 (keywords: bin dump XP-4205 site:bchtechnologies.com)

• You can either:

  • Build your own EEPROM programmer (usually Arduino-based)

  • Buy a pre-made one from Amazon or eBay

• Remove the printer’s EEPROM chip and reflash it using the BIN dump.

If the EEPROM is permanently damaged or fails to hold the firmware, replacing the chip entirely may be necessary.

Important Note:
Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair due to the hands-on nature of the problems. So, we're not able to provide remote troubleshooting, suggestions, or support for printer repairs. We offer an in-person evaluation and repair service via our local diagnostic facility (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service). Given the high demand, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis. So, it might take a few weeks before we can get your printer to drop it off. Our services are structured to repair either a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we acknowledge that our rates aren't the most economical. Thus, we highly recommend that you resort to self-help via online research. You can start by checking out YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel’s homepage (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies). Look for specific videos using the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar. I receive dozens of queries every day asking about videos for specific topics. Having created videos over the past nine years, it's challenging to remember every single one. Therefore, using YouTube's search function would be most efficient. Plus, YouTube might suggest relevant videos from other channels that could assist you.

Thanks again for your message, and for being part of our growing community. We appreciate your patience and enthusiasm!