HP Color Laser MFP 178/179 : problem with firmware v.3.82.01.17, dec 10, 2024

[JMichelG]

Hello,

This is a warning message : it is urgent not to upgrade your MFP 17x printer to firmware verion 3.82.01.17

I did it yesterday (dec 13, 2024) and after it ended, the printer could not start again or it did start but kept on initialize and stopped and initialize and stopped and on and on...

I tried to get assistance from HP, I found the virtual assistance, powerd by AI, but could not find an answer on how to program the firmware when the printer could not communicate with a computer or any combination of key when the printer is powerd on

I did find something after hours of research on the net, on a youtube chanel, in Russian. So, here it is

Method (not in any HP manual) :

1. open windows explorer on the folder where you have saved the old firmware (v16). You must have usblist2.exe and [firmware].hd (MFP170_V3.82.01.16.hd for me) in the folder
2. plug in a usb cable from the computer to the printer
3. unplug the power cord from the printer
4. wait for 30s
5. press [copy/color] key (bottom right key) and hold it
6. press [on/off] key and hold both key until "wait image" appears on the screen
7. in windows explorer, click and drag [firmware].hd on top of usblist2.exe and release the button of the mouse
8. a window appears and disappears and the task bar
9. on the printer screen : "program 10%, wait..." ; program 20%, wait..." until "program 100%"
10. the printer initialize and hopefully will run like before.

If the computer can't communicate with the printer, restart your computer with the usb cable pluged in and try again

I hope it will help you saving time, hours of research.

What HP says :

[start]

How to upgrade the firmware through usblist2.exe.

• Power ON the machine and connect the printer with a USB cable.
• Download the firmware file from hp.com/support to the PC desktop.

Make sure that the machine is connected to the PC with a USB cable.

Drag the SWUPGRADE_ON.PRN file and drop down it on the usblist2.exe in the firmware folder downloaded.

Drag the firmware file(***.hd) and drop down it on the usblist2.exe.

• Note: DO NOT power cycle the machine or the PC during this process or the machine may become unstable and or unusable without further attention from HP. The flash firmware update can take up to 5 minutes to complete. Please be patient.

Firmware upgrade status gets the display on the LCD screen.

• Note: DO NOT UNPLUG THE PRINTER.

The printer automatically will reboot once the firmware update is complete.

Print the configuration report to confirm the firmware version.

[end]

Hopefully, HP will give a v18 with no bugs

Jean-Michel

[nixahn]

Hi Jean-Michel

I just spent the best part of today reaching the same conclusion as you, after trying many other venues to send a firmware to the printer. If you were so kind to somehow share the v3.82.01.16 firmware in hd format I would be grateful, as I was coming from v3.82.01.08 and from the bugged v3.82.01.17 the printer does not accept the v3.82.01.08 as valid (it says it is a bad image with an error, and asks for reset).

Please note for others that I also tried extensively the rfu file format route to downgrade to other firmware versions (the best option for this to ensure no malware would be to get the 20230822 rfu from the repository accessible via JetAdmin). The problem with this approach is that the state of the printer only allows an hd file dump using the 'wait image' / 'download mode' technique, to dump an rfu file the printer needs to settle down the init process so it is possible to copy the rfu via network/share and this never happens, so there is no way to send the rfu that I know of (if someone succeeds in this, please let me know).

No printer for me until JMichealG helps by sharing v16 firmware (HP does not give access even to immediately prior firmware !?!!) or some newer version without bugs is released... grateful for any help.

[mikeher87]

Samesies. Printer is definately bricked. Hopefully HP will provide us with a solution before I return this unfinished product Monday.

[JMichelG]

Hello,

I put the firmware v16, as it came from hp, on a shared folder of my google drive at his adress

[Content Removed]

Use it, share it, as long as hp doesn't ask me to take it away.

Cheers

Jean-Michel

[Ilja_P]

The link to google drive is removed 😞 Can you please share the version 16 any other way?

[nixahn]

Hi Jean-Michel,

Many thanks for your initial post and for getting back to this even if the problem is solved for you, I appreciate the altruism.

I understand why HP removed the link, although it is frustrating to see how active they are at the forums compared to asking someone developing the firmware to post v16 to their website.

If anyone with a copy of v16 could flag it using a non url notation, or send something I can decipher over private message, I would be thankful.

Many thanks again.

[mikeher87]

Hey Jean-Michel!

Let's be friends! Maybe even somewhere outside this support forum? 😉

I tried looking you up elsewhere from the little information here but ultimately failed. Maybe you could try and find me? 🙂 My username here I also use other places, like for instance IG.

[Nico243]

Hi, I have the same problem with the printer, do you have a link where to find the firmware ver 16?
Thank you

[Klaus713]

Hi, I have the same issue. Is there any chance that somebody from HP is reading this threat and can support with the previous firmware?

[JMichelG]

Hello

I put a link but the very kind moderator SNicolas removed it

They are faster on removing link that could help people than to correct the faulty firmware that anoy a lot of people

I don't even know if you will see my answer

Big brother is watching you

I can tell you, first time I put a post to help people, first time I am censored for having helped them

I thought this forum was to help people

Anyway have a good time

Jean-Michel