EPSON XP-3105 Printer: Disabling Firmware Updates on a Mac?

[Horsa]

To be honest, I don't know whether I've posted this query in the right section (or even the right forum: maybe I should find an Epson user's forum?). Anyway, worth a shot - here goes:

As you'll have gathered from the title, I'm wanting to disable automatic firmware updates on my EPSON XP-3105 printer. The web is stuffed with handy guides on how to achieve this if you're on Windows - apparently you open the "Epson Software Updater" (ESU) interface and alter its settings so that it never goes looking for updates. It's simple.

Figuring that the ESU might be fundamentally the same across all platforms, I tried that method on my Mac, but no dice. If I launch the ESU, it tells me straight off that there's a new version of the firmware available for installation, and won't let me change any settings until I've agreed to install it. If I choose not to install it, the interface quits altogether, so I can't alter anything.

I even tried disconnecting my ethernet cable, but that just results in a "no network available" message and it won't let me access the settings.

So I'm stuck. Any bright ideas, folks?

 

[MacInWin]

It would seem to me that if there is an update for it, and it's not installed, then the printer is already not automatically updating. If it were, the update would have already been applied.

 

[Horsa]

At present I have it set so that it tells me when new updates are available: I can refuse them, but if I do that, it will just remind me again the next day. I'd like to set it so it doesn't even bother me about it. Apparently this can be done in Windows.

 

[MacInWin]

Ah, so the problem is not what you originally said:

I'm wanting to disable automatic firmware updates

How are you being notified that updates are available?

 

[Horsa]

A little icon appears in the dock of its own volition and bounces at me.

 

[MacInWin]

Appears, or is there and just starts to jump? Sounds like you have software from Epson running that may or may not be needed. I don't know that printer, or Epson, but can you look at your login items (SysPrefs/Users&Groups/your account/Login items and see if something from Epson is loading. And if so, can you remove it and still use the printer? (You should be able to.)

 

[Horsa]

Appears. I don't have any Epson software resident in the dock.

 

[Slydude]

If there is Epson software running, it might not show up in the Dock. Check the Users & Groups preference pane and look at the login item for your account.

 

[Horsa]

Thanks. Checked that. No Epson stuff there.

 

[MacInWin]

You could run Etrecheck and see if anything from Epson is loading at boot, before you log in. Etrecheck will show the path to the source. What you do then will be up to you. I have no knowledge of what might be there, whether it's needed or not, or what might happen if it's not there. But you'll at least know if it's there.

 

[chscag]

As you'll have gathered from the title, I'm wanting to disable automatic firmware updates on my EPSON XP-3105 printer.

The question I have is why do you want to disable the firmware updates? Firmware updates are given to correct problems or to add or enhance the printer. Also, how many of these firmware updates is Epson issuing that you want to turn them off?

 

[Slydude]

Etrecheck's a good idea. I was trying to think of a way to explain the other places in the OS where something relevant might be located.

I was wondering the same thing, Charlie.

 

[Horsa]

Cheers all - shall investigate.

 

[lclev]

Sorry I saw this so late. My boss had an Epson XP-440 printer on his Dell laptop. I just replaced it with a Canon printer as I could not get the black to unclog causing print streaks.

But in truth - I hated that printer!!! I have NEVER seen a printer that had so many firmware updates - at least once a month. The printer was wireless so turning off notifications in Windows only worked on the laptop - no popups. The printer would phone home to the mother ship and oh look, another firmware update would appear on the little front screen. I will never own an Epson printer if that is what they persist in doing.

BTW: I never installed any software/apps on the Dell for the Epson. And I didn't have to for the Canon. I like Canon and HP printer better.

Lisa

 

[chscag]

The problem must be with the Epson XP series of printers because I owned an Epson NX 420 for years without it ever receiving a firmware update. As a matter of fact that printer was still working great when I gave it away to Good Will.

 

[lclev]

The problem must be with the Epson XP series of printers because I owned an Epson NX 420 for years without it ever receiving a firmware update. As a matter of fact that printer was still working great when I gave it away to Good Will.

Probably. The printer was about a year old if that when it plugged. I have never had a printer have that many firmware updates. I must have done at least six or more. I have never had an issue like that with a Canon or HP. Unless it was because it was wireless??? Security updates??? No idea.

Lisa