Need old firmware HP LJ M281fdw for Mac OSX to downgrade

[orbit1234]

Since the 20230822 FW update blocks my printer for non-HP chip, I need to downgrade the FW (since it worked perfectly before).  Host is an iMac 2023 running Sonoma OS 14.5.  Connecting with WiFI and/or USB.

1. The HP driver library only has the faulty FW, the virtual bot is useless: it sends me into a loop for without a link to the correct files. 

2. The Reddit link on an other question provides Windows FW drivers, but no Mac dmg drivers.... ;-( 

Please assist: the printer is blocked since I upgraded the FW, I should have known better ...

thanks

[Valsimot]

Download the .exe file for Windows, install 7zip file manager extract the firmware file, from the exe file and save it somewhere you can easily access.

Install FileZilla client, and enable FTP printing on your printer using EWS.

Run FileZilla connect to the printer and drag and drop the firmware file, the printer after receiving the file will start to downgrade.

It sounds complicated but it's like a 5-minute job.

[orbit1234]

Thanks for the response, I tried it for three alleged downgrades:

1. HP_Color_LaserJet_Pro_M282_M285_Multifunction_Printer_series_20200603.rfu
2. HP_LaserJet_Pro_M280_M281_Printer_series_20200612.rfu
3. HP LaserJet M280 downgrade.exe

The 20200603 was dismissed at restart at 'incorrect firmware upgrade' 

The 20200612.rfu ended with FATAL ERROR 200 and the printer reverted to FW2023

The .exe does not contain any .rfu,  it is just an executable that I cannot use on a Mac.

The entire process is also made difficult by HP: 

- the new FW resets the setting 'allow downgrade' for each restart, so you have to reset it manually.

- no 'browse' option in EWS - only 'search for FW' that finds the 2023 FW.

- all old FW are removed from the HP site, can find references in forum, but only dead links. 

Some other ideas:  

- a hard reset to return to a default FW?

- scrap the printer on the altar of 'programmed obsolescence' and buy a new non-HP?

thx

[Valsimot]

You need to use 7zip software to extract the firmware file from .exe

This is how the path looks on WIN OS, it should be similar on MAC, the file you need is 1013

Once you have that file you need to send it with FTP to the printer using FileZilla as FTP application, the FTP must be enabled in the printers EWS