79 service error - turn off then on

[ChandraReddy]

Recently I have updated the firmware on my printer. Prior to that my printer was working very well. After updating the firmware, printer is erroring out with "79 service error - turn off then on" error. I have tried to factory reset from the control panel. Now it is in infinite loop of error/reboot. 

Looks like many people had similar problem. Solution is to download firmware from HP support site and apply. Unfortunately, I can't find firmware for my printer (HP Color LaserJet Pro M280-M281 Multifunction Printer series) on HP site. Does anyone know what can I do to fix my problem. Appreciate your help.

[ChandraReddy]

I was able to fix my issue by following the following process:

1. In between the printer boots, I quickly enabled (you may have to try couple of times as your printer may display error message before you can make this change) "Allow Downgrade" from the printer display,  Setup ==> Service ==> LaserJet Update ==> Manage Updates  ==> Allow Downgrade (Selected Yes)

2. Connected my printer to my Windows laptop with USB Cable. Make sure printer is configured on this computer,

3. Downloaded firmware 20200612 executable from the following link. Note: it is not available on HP site. 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1urL5kVlQYBZEFrVi2PO9Npf6Nla0PJLQ/view?usp=sharing

4. Ran (Double click) the firmware executable file  HP_LaserJet_Pro_M280_M281_Printer_series_20200612.exe and sent to the printer in question. Note:  it might take few iterations to send the firmware to the printer.  Each time printer boots up, try to access the menu items to delay the reboot,  which allows the update to go throw. Eventually firmware will get downloaded to the printer.

5. Once the firmware is updated,  in the subsequent reboot, I saw  "Programming..." on the display and it took few minutes to boot up. It has booted up couple of times with the same message.

6. Once the printer booted up, disabled "Allow Update"  Setup ==> Service ==> LaserJet Update ==> Manage Updates  ==> Allow Update (Selected No)

7. This fixed my problem.

Here is a reference note that I used to fix my problem.

https://markohoven.com/2020/11/10/hp-laserjet-pro-m280-m281-printer-series-20200612-firmware-downgra...

[GregDio]

Thank you, I have the same printer and ran into this yesterday with an upgrade.  I will give a try later this morning,  Much appreciated!

Best

[javi15151]

You have NOT really fixed it (downgrading to 20200612). You will see the same 79 ERROR in a while again. Even though, you have previously configured the printer to NOT update.  

The printer "found" the way to update to 20201021 again.

[GregDio]

I actually contacted my third party toner company, they gave me the same instructions and downgrade as above.  Unfortunately, I can't get the firmware to downgrade, even though the install completes.  I did figure out that if you take the printer off any Internet connection and only use the USB, it does stop the 79 error.  However, I am still getting the supply problem message shortly after the menu screen. 

[ChandraReddy]

The process i followed disables any auto updates. Printer should work fine as long as you don't install the bad version of the firmware. Hopefully HP should come up with an updated firmware that fixes all of these issues soon. Once HP releases you can enable auto update and update the firmware.  This is similar to Microsoft security patches that break Windows OS.