Need access to firmware 2019-07-18 for LJ Pro M118dw

[StumpedOne]

Just installed a new HP Laserjet Pro M118dw with firmware date code of 2019-07-18. Installed drivers and downloaded the firmware utility dated 2018-07-26. I closely read that this was the date of the utility, not the firmware. Yep, you guessed it, the utility downgraded the printer firmware. I've looked everywhere and cannot find the 2019-07-18 firmware. Luckily I printed a configuration report prior to downgrading.

Anyone?

Thanks.

(As for what problems am I experiencing, time will surely tell and I'm 100% positive I'll be back here complaining about something. I want to avoid all that mess.)

Or....I have another exact printer coming tomorrow, how can I take the firmware off of it?

Thanks again. 

[TEJ1602]

@StumpedOne, Welcome to HP Support Community!

Upon checking I see that the latest firmware available for this printer is of the date code 20180726 which your printer has currently. Firmware downgrade is not possible on any HP printers either manually or automatically. 

The printer will not have any issues because of this on both the hardware and software front.

If you have any concerns we are here to take care of it and assist you end to end to ensure the printers are in working condition.

Refer to the link https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-laserjet-pro-m118-m119-series/21996892/model/219... for details on the available drivers and updates for your printer.

I hope that answers your concern adequately. Let me know!

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[StumpedOne]

Your response ignored the facts and simply pointed me to an older version of the firmware.

The printer in question ships with a later firmware date as evidenced both by the configuration printout I have and by looking at a brand new printer I just received. The factory is shipping these printers with a newer firmware since 2019 that has not been uploaded to the support site and that HP techs have no clue about. Please do not deny this.

The firmware on this printer CAN be downgraded automatically by running the available firmware update utility which people SHOULD NOT DO. There's a reason or more the firmware was upgraded and people will lose that when running the firmware utility.

Close out this support ticket please, customer not satisfied, techs are clueless.

[TEJ1602]

@StumpedOne

I have brought your issue to the attention of an appropriate team within HP. They will likely request information from you in order to look up your case details or product serial number. Please look for a private message from an identified HP contact. Additionally, keep in mind not to publicly post personal information (serial numbers and case details). 

If you are unfamiliar with how the Forum's private message capability works, you can learn about that here.

Thank you for visiting the HP Support Community. 

[StumpedOne]

As followup, HP did contact me and said they had the solution. But gave me a link to the same "old" firmware from 2018. Not resolved and I'm giving up on it.

And as I expected with this firmware, I'm having a unexpected wireless disconnect issue. Normally, the printer goes to sleep and wakes up on incoming data. With no changes to wireless or network or anything, the printer refuses to connect to the wireless network for which it was setup. The printer network configuration page shows it *knows* the SSID, and has the WPA password, but refuses to connect to any SSID I give it. Turning the printer and subsequently the printer wireless OFF/ON button from the printer does nothing to fix this. Hooked the printer to a computer via USB and finally found my way into the HP Toolbox which gave me ALL the settings in the printer. Trying to connect to different or the same setup SSID fails. The printer report says that MAC filtering is being applied on the wireless access point. Baloney, it's not! The problem I have completely resides within the printer and here is how it was fixed.

Solution to HP LJ M118 wireless disconnect:

Within the HP Device Toolbox, under Wireless Configuration, Status, there is a wireless ON/OFF software switch. Choose the OFF position and check that the printer wireless LED is off next to the paper out tray. Then choose the ON position, highlight your wireless SSID again and put the wireless passcode below that. Now hit Apply in lower right corner. The wireless LED should light up solid and the HP Device Toolbox should now show "Connected".

[Repairatrooper]

@StumpedOne  As a service partner I understand your frustration but wanted to share my experience with firmware. We have experienced cases where a new firmware is released but after a short time in the field a serious flaw is discovered which forces the withdrawl of that firmware. Obviously units that have already shipped are nearly impossible to recall and that causes the disconnect as the older firmware is returned to the support site but some users will have the newer firmware on their systems.