Supply Problem error on MFP M281fdw

[ElaineSuderman]

https://borncity.com/win/2020/11/08/hp-firmware-update-for-ink-laser-printers-blocks-third-party-car...

I used this and it worked.  Shame on HP for doing this.

[btreloar]

I tried it twice. Once with USB connected to my laptop's docking station and one connected directly to the laptop. Got a smiley face both times, but neither time did the printer do anything after that. Your instructions say to make sure thee printer is in Ready mode, but it reverts to the Supply Problem screen within a few seconds. Is that still "ready mode". If not, how can I avoid that happening?

[rhj63]

In my case it worked via ethernet (desktop pc to printer/router).
You are right, after the smiley face appeared, nothing happened here, too.

The "smiley" program only transfers the firmware into the printer's memory - you have to turn the printer off and on, then the printer installs the uploaded firmware.

Good luck.

[btreloar]

My printer didn't go into Programming mode automatically after I got the smiley face. I tried resending the firmware multiple times and finally discovered a way to get the programming mode to work. In the manage updates menu I found an option at the top of the menu to Allow Downgrades. I pressed that and the printer immediately went into Programming mode and when it was all done the supply problem error is gone.

Hope this works for you.

[Smithey1]

I had the same problem Btreloar.  I solved it by pressing the Home button on the screen during the firmware upload. so that "Supply Problem" screen went away.  As soon as I did this and the firmware was complete, the printer went into programming mode.  Major celebration in the office....

[JP_77_1127]

Thanks for adding this link.  This was the exact site I went to and found way down in the posts the firmware to download.  I didn't want to add it to my post earlier since I saw HP was removing links on some other posts.

[JP_77_1127]

Sorry if my instructions are not working for some.  I did try to document step by step what I did and it did work.  It seems there can be many variables with each person's printer.  I would recommend looking over Elaine's link to review and especially download the firmware from that site.  This was the one I went to as well:  

https://borncity.com/win/2020/11/08/hp-firmware-update-for-ink-laser-printers-blocks-third-party-car...

[btreloar]

My problem with following your instructions was that the printer never went into Programming mode. But once I enabled "allow downgrades", it moved right ahead and completed properly.

[DS76]

Does HP acknowledged the problem and how can we contact them regarding this issue?  

[btreloar]

I doubt if HP will help., The problem seems to be occurring because HP wants to sell us their own cartridges, so the update prevents the printer from working with others. (I use Cartridge World.) They are unlikely to be helpful in working around this issue; they're likely to say "we only recommend official HP cartridges".