Can't update firmware using app, can't make scanner stop scanning at night

[Anton444]

LaserJet Pro MFP M227fdw

(software won't let me choose printer, because the software is problematic pretty much every step of the way; asks for my serial number, which I've dutifully entered, and it insists it's not valid. Dude, your own app served it up to me. )

The scanner spontaneously runs, usually in the middle of the night. Someone online said I need to update the firmware. What a headache. Unplug, plug into wall (almost impossible, but I did it). Update firmware, which requires downloading an app, creating a user account and logging in. There's no way to update the firmware without accessing Advance Features, which don't exist. I found a list of steps to take, which just don't make that option magically appear. Still stuck. Why is this all so difficult? I still have a printer/scanner I can't update. 

Any suggestions? Turn off printer every night? Thanks for your help.

(I realize I live a privileged life, but still ... if I could magically make software work across the world, you'd all worship me, and you know it. I'm happy to let you have that superpower. I'll do the worshipping.)  

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @Anton444 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

Thank you for your patience and for already going through the effort of unplugging and reconnecting the printer. I understand how frustrating it is when something as basic as a firmware update becomes a maze of roadblocks. 

You can update the firmware on your HP LaserJet Pro MFP M227fdw without using the HP App by downloading the firmware file directly from HP’s support site and running it on your Windows PC. This bypasses the app’s serial number issues and gives you full control over the update process.

1. Download the Firmware Update Utility

• Go to the official HP support page for your printer:
  HP LaserJet Pro MFP M227fdw Software and Drivers 
• Under Firmware, download the latest Firmware Update Utility for Windows.

2. Prepare the Printer

• Make sure the printer is powered on and connected to your PC via USB cable or Wi-Fi.
• Disable any sleep timers temporarily to prevent interruptions.

3. Run the Firmware Updater

• Launch the downloaded firmware file on your PC.
• The utility will search for connected printers. If your printer doesn’t appear:
  • Ensure it’s on the same network as your PC (if using Wi-Fi).
  • Try connecting via USB for a more stable update.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.

 

To Prevent the Scanner from Running at Night

This behavior may be linked to WSD (Web Services for Devices) or scheduled maintenance tasks. Here’s how to reduce or eliminate it:

1. Disable WSD Discovery

• On the printer’s control panel, go to Network Settings > Advanced Settings > WSD.
• Disable WSD Scan and WSD Print.

2. Turn Off Auto-On/Off or Sleep Wake Timers

• On the printer screen:
  Setup > System Setup > Energy Settings > Sleep/Auto Off After
  Set it to a longer duration or disable Wake on LAN if available.

3. As a Temporary Workaround

• If the above doesn’t resolve it, powering off the printer at night is a safe and effective interim solution.

Let me know if the firmware utility detects your printer or if you’d like help disabling WSD or energy settings. I’m here to help you get this sorted without the software standing in your way.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[Anton444]

Thank you for trying to help ... um, where is the "HP support page for your printer" and is there one for Macs? I tried this before, and couldn't find anything for OS 15.5. Everything was for much older operating systems. That's why I went with the app. Is this going to be a problem? That I have a newer MacOS?

[Hawks_Eye]

I completely understand the frustration here, and I appreciate the effort you’ve already put into trying to make this work on macOS. 

You’re right — the firmware utilities for this model are designed to run on Windows, and that’s why you’re not finding a compatible package for macOS 15.5. The HP App on Mac is great for everyday printing and scanning, but it doesn’t provide direct firmware update capability for this device.

Here’s how you can move forward:

1. Firmware Update Path

• The only reliable way to update the firmware on the LaserJet Pro MFP M227fdw is through a Windows PC using the Firmware Update Utility.
• If you don’t have a Windows machine yourself, even borrowing one temporarily and connecting the printer via USB is enough to complete the update. Once updated, the printer will continue to work with your Mac without issue.

2. Managing the Night Scanning Behavior Without Firmware Update
Since the update isn’t possible directly from macOS, you can still stop the scanner from waking up:

• On the printer’s control panel, go to Setup > Network Settings > Advanced Settings > WSD and disable WSD Scan/Print.
• Then go to Setup > System Setup > Energy Settings and adjust Sleep/Auto Off. Disable “Wake on LAN” if available.
• If those steps don’t fully resolve it, powering off the printer at night is a safe workaround.

3. Printing and Scanning on macOS 15.5

• Add the printer using System Settings > Printers & Scanners. When adding, select AirPrint or Secure AirPrint as the driver option.
• Use the HP App for scanning — it should detect the printer and allow you to scan to PDF or other formats.

So in short: firmware updates require Windows, but you can still manage the unwanted scanning behavior directly from the printer’s own settings. Once those adjustments are made, your Mac will continue to handle printing and scanning normally.

Regards,

Hawks_Eye

[Anton444]

You've got to be kidding. HP doesn't support Macs? I've been using this printer and scanner with my Mac for years. That's why the firmware is so out of date. I don't need to use the app to scan. My Mac software works just fine. The app, however, is a problem. Why can't I get to the Advanced Features on it? 

I can't borrow a Windows machine. I don't know a single person with one. Haven't for a decade, I don't think. 

Now I'm having a problem that, again, I need the Advanced Features to fix. The thing won't print because it says it's out of ink. I can't override it. I can see that there is plenty of ink. The page that last came out is crisp and clear, lots of ink. How do I override this clearly incorrect reading and keep using my printer? 

Thanks, 

Anton

[Hawks_Eye]

I hear your frustration, and I appreciate how carefully you’ve explained the situation. You’ve already put in a lot of effort, and it’s clear the printer is making things unnecessarily complicated for you. 

Let’s break this down into two parts: the “Advanced Features” confusion and the ink override issue.

1. Advanced Features in the HP App
On macOS, the HP App does not expose the same “Advanced Features” menu that you may see referenced in Windows instructions. That’s why you’re not finding it—it simply isn’t part of the Mac version. The app is designed mainly for everyday printing and scanning, not for firmware or service-level adjustments. Any deeper configuration (like firmware updates or feed calibration) is handled either through the printer’s own control panel or via Windows-only utilities. So you’re not missing a hidden menu; it’s just not available on macOS.

2. Ink Supply Override
The LaserJet Pro MFP M227fdw is a toner-based device, not an inkjet. That means it uses toner cartridges, and the printer has sensors that estimate remaining toner. When the printer reports “out of toner,” it locks printing until the cartridge is replaced. Unfortunately, there is no override option to force it to continue once it believes the cartridge is empty. Even if pages are still coming out dark and crisp, the printer’s internal counter has reached its threshold.

Here are the practical steps you can take:

• Remove and Reinsert the Cartridge: Sometimes reseating the toner cartridge clears a false “out of toner” message.
• Check for Protective Strips: If the cartridge was recently replaced, make sure any sealing tape or strip was fully removed.
• Use Genuine HP Toner: Non‑HP or refilled cartridges can sometimes trigger incorrect readings.
• Replace the Cartridge: If reseating doesn’t help, the only way to continue printing is to install a new toner cartridge. The printer won’t allow an override.

3. Managing Without Firmware Update
Since you don’t have access to a Windows PC, the firmware update path is blocked. But the scanner waking issue can still be managed directly from the printer’s control panel:

• Disable WSD Scan/Print under Network Settings > Advanced Settings.
• Adjust Sleep/Auto Off under System Setup > Energy Settings.
• If needed, power off the printer at night to prevent the scanner from waking.

I know this isn’t the simple “override” you were hoping for, but with LaserJet models, the toner lock is hard‑coded. The best immediate step is to reseat the cartridge and confirm it’s genuine. If the message persists, replacement is the only way forward.

Thanks,

Hawks_Eye

[Anton444]

Hi again, and wow, this is such a difficult thing to resolve through these messages because I can't get feedback right away and can't reply right away. 

I have a brand new HP-brand cartridge (that's all I've ever used) and I still get the out-of-toner error. Without access to the tools that PC users get, I don't know what to do. I don't understand why HP won't give Mac users the same tools. I don't know why HP will decide to not let me use toner I paid for (at exorbitant prices). It feels like HP is basically stealing from me, selling me products but withholding both tools and toner that I've paid for. 

I'm really frustrated. You're not really offering solutions, just excuses. Are there any actual solutions?  Yes, I've re-seated the cartridge. Yes, it's genuine HP. No, there aren't any plastic strips. No, a brand-new cartridge isn't fixing the problem. No, I'm not switching operating systems to make this printer work, but I might switch printer brands if I can't get HP to provide me basic support. (What else can I do?) 

It's not the printer making things complicated. It's HP's decision to be skint with its users. HP has chosen to cheat us, and I don't like the way this makes me feel. It makes me want to take a shower, to get this feeling to go away. Why would HP want to do that? Apple builds brand loyalty. HP builds brand skeeviness. That's terrible decisionmaking at the top. 

Are there any actual solutions for me? 

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @Anton444 

My sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused to you. We'd hate for you to be stuck in a situation like this. Because you matter to us.

We thank you for your patience and co-operation during this troubleshooting process.

I'm sending you a private message to guide you on the next steps.

To access it, click the private message icon in the upper-right corner of your HP Support Community profile, next to your name.

If this resolves your issue, kindly mark this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" if it was helpful.

Take care and have a great day!

Regards,

Hawks_Eye