LaserJet 234d wrong firmware uploaded

[piotrk2]

Hello,

I accidentally flashed the wrong firmware onto my HP LaserJet M234d printer. I installed the firmware for the M234dw model, having missed the compatibility note regarding the M234d.

Current issue:

• USB: Windows 11 no longer recognizes the device as a printer via USB. The system detects the scanner component, but not the printer.

• Firmware Utility: I downloaded the correct M234d firmware file, but because the printer is unrecognized by the OS, it does not appear in the drop-down menu to initiate the update.

Is there a force-flash procedure, hardware recovery mode (button combination during power-on), or a command-line tool to force the correct firmware onto the device in this state?

Thank you for your help.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @piotrk2,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

I understand that the M234dw firmware was accidentally installed on your M234d, and the printer is now detected only as a scanner while the printer portion is no longer recognized over USB.

Since the firmware package was intended for a different model, I would not recommend attempting to force the M234d firmware through an unsupported command-line method or using another firmware package.

Please try the following:

1. Disconnect the USB cable from the printer.
2. Turn the printer off and disconnect the power cable.
3. Leave it disconnected for about 60 seconds.
4. Reconnect the printer directly to a wall outlet and power it on.
5. Connect the printer directly to the Windows 11 PC using USB, without a USB hub.
6. Check Device Manager and see whether the printer appears under Printers, Print Queues, Universal Serial Bus Controllers, or Other Devices.
7. If the printer is detected again, run the correct M234d firmware utility and check whether the printer is now listed.

If the printer still isn't detected as a printer after this, the standard firmware utility will not be able to communicate with it. I don't recommend trying to force the firmware through an undocumented recovery command or firmware tool, as this could make the situation worse.

If you can, let us know exactly how the printer appears in Device Manager after reconnecting it. That information will help determine whether Windows is detecting the printer hardware at all or whether the firmware update has left the printer in a recovery state.

Take care and have an amazing day!

Best regards,
Kuroi_Kenshi