MFP 179fnw printing gribbrich

[RyanURF]

Hey everyone. I am hoping someone can  help with my printer randomly printing this unirast and random symbols until the printer runs out of paper. 

I am assuming its a software/driver issue but I cannot find how to update this with mac os only windows is offered on hp support website. 

Has anyone else had this issue of random symbols or this UNIRAST? Seems to happen completely random sometimes from a mac computer and sometimes from my iphone. 

Thanks!

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @RyanURF 

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

Thanks for explaining the issue clearly. The HP Color Laser MFP 179fnw printing random symbols like “UNIRAST” is typically caused by driver miscommunication or corrupted print data—especially when printing from macOS or iOS devices. Here's a structured approach to resolve it:

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

You can follow HP’s official guide here:
HP Printer Prints Random Symbols or Gibberish

Below is a summary of the key steps from that guide, tailored for your setup:

1. Power Cycle the Printer

• Turn off the printer.
• Unplug it from the wall for 60 seconds.
• Plug it back in and power on.

2. Clear the Print Queue

• On your Mac, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
• Select your printer and click Open Print Queue.
• Cancel all pending jobs.

3. Remove and Re-add the Printer

• In Printers & Scanners, select your printer and click the minus (-) button to remove it.
• Click the plus (+) button to add it again.
• Choose AirPrint or Secure AirPrint as the driver (not HP driver).

4. Reset Printing System (if issue persists)

• Go to Printers & Scanners.
• Right-click in the printer list and choose Reset printing system.
• Re-add the printer using AirPrint.

5. Update Firmware

• Use HP Smart app on a Windows PC or Android device to check for firmware updates.
• Firmware updates often resolve communication glitches.

6. Avoid Printing from Unsupported Apps

• Some apps may send incompatible data. Try printing from Preview, Safari, or HP Smart instead of third-party apps.

iPhone Printing Tips

• Ensure your iPhone is on the same Wi-Fi network.
• Use AirPrint or HP Smart app for printing.
• Avoid printing from apps that may send raw or unsupported formats.

Let me know if you'd like help with resetting the printer or checking firmware from another device. I can walk you through it.

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