How to Downgrade HP Officejet 7612 Firmware?

[Themistokles]

Hello,

One of our employees accidentally upgraded the HP Officejet 7612 to the latest firmware EXM1CN2022AR. As a result, the printer is bricked and insists on having a "Missing or failed printhead" error.

We have never used antyhing else but original HP ink cartridges and all four cartridges currently in the printer are original HP material with a valid expiration date.

So, I want to revert back to an older firmware (which I still have). What is the exact procedure for this printer model?

I know how to enter the hidden service menu, but am at a loss at how to do the manual downgrade.

Thank you very much for any kind of help!

[Garp_senchau]

@Themistokles, Welcome to HP Support Community,

Thank you for posting your query; I’m here to help by guiding you through steps to resolve this issue

Unfortunately, downgrading the firmware on the HP OfficeJet 7612 is not officially supported by HP. Once the firmware is updated.

That said, the "Missing or Failed Printhead" error can be caused by several things, and I can walk you through some troubleshooting steps that might help resolve the issue:

Power Cycle the Printer

Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power outlet.

Wait at least 60 seconds, then plug it back in and power it on.

Check if the error persists.

Check the Printhead

Open the printer to access the printhead.

Gently remove the printhead and check for any debris or ink buildup.

Wipe the printhead and the area around it with a lint-free cloth.

Reinstall the printhead securely.

Check Ink Cartridges

Make sure the ink cartridges are properly seated in their respective slots.

Remove and reinstall the cartridges to ensure they’re correctly placed.

Even if the cartridges are original, sometimes the contacts can be dirty. Clean the contacts gently with a dry, lint-free cloth.

Reset Printer Settings

On the printer’s control panel, go to Settings > Printer Maintenance.

Look for an option to reset the printer to its factory settings.

This can sometimes resolve software-related errors.

Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

Visit the HP Support Website and ensure you have the latest drivers installed for Windows 7.

You can also try uninstalling and reinstalling the printer driver to see if this clears the error.

Run HP Smart:

• Download and run the HP Smart. Follow the prompts to diagnose and fix common printing issues.
• Refer: Use Diagnose & Fix in HP Smart to repair common printing issues (Windows, macOS) | HP® Support

Update Printer Firmware (Update the firmware on an HP printer | HP® Support)

• Go to the HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads page. Enter your printer model number and search for the latest firmware update. Follow the instructions to download and install the firmware update.

Perform a Printhead Alignment

On the printer's display panel, there might be an option to align the printhead. This can sometimes fix issues with print quality and errors related to the printhead.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

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