What is ! 79

[Snail3]

Power went out and now my printer is coming up with  an !  And then on the screen is 79

[Rachel571]

Hi @Snail3,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

The "! 79" error you're seeing on your printer typically indicates a firmware error or a communication problem between the printer's firmware and its print job memory. This can happen for a variety of reasons including corrupted print jobs, conflicts within the printer’s firmware, or issues related to the hardware itself. The power outage you experienced might have contributed to this error by corrupting the printer's memory or interrupting a firmware update.

Here are some steps you can take to resolve the error:

Restart the Printer:

• Turn off the printer using the power button.
• Unplug it from the power outlet.
• Wait for about a minute.
• Plug the printer back in and turn it on. Sometimes, a simple reset can clear the error.

Check and Clear Print Queue:

• Ensure that there are no jobs stuck in the print queue on your computer. A stuck print job can cause this error.
• Go to your computer’s print queue by opening the devices and printers on your PC (you can type "Printers" in the start menu), find your printer, right-click on it, and choose ‘See what’s printing’. If there are any jobs, remove them.

Update Printer Firmware:

• Check if there are any firmware updates available for your printer. This can often resolve error 79 by updating the printer's internal software.
• Visit the hp website, navigate to the support section, and look for firmware updates for your specific printer model.

Reinstall the Printer:

• Removing the printer from your devices list and reinstalling it can sometimes help resolve communication errors.
• On your computer, go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers, right-click on your printer, select ‘Remove device’, and then add it back again using the ‘Add a printer’ wizard.

Check for Hardware Issues:

• Look for any visible signs of hardware issues, such as unusual noises, paper jams, or anything out of the ordinary when the printer starts up.

If these steps don’t resolve the issue, there might be a deeper hardware problem or a severe firmware corruption that might require professional repair

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support