Printer error "Ready 2 Download" "fw is corrupt" m281fdw

[DNL575]

Hello,

We have a hp color laserjet pro m281fdw

We get the error on startup:

Ready 2 Download

fw is corrupt

We tried all steps provided by the forums, however all the solutions are provided via private messages. Can you please help us? 

[Echo_Lake]

@DNL575

Thank you for posting on HP Support Community.
 

Don't worry as I'll be glad to help, I have a few troubleshooting steps we could try to fix the issue:  

• With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer and also unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
• Remove USB cable, if present.
• Wait for 2-3 minutes, press and hold the power button on your printer for about 30 seconds to remove any additional charge.
• Now plug back the power cable straight to a wall outlet without any surge protector or an extension cord (This is important) and then plug back the power cord to the printer.
• Turn on the printer and wait till the warm-up period finishes and the printer is idle.

If the error persists, please reach out to the HP Technical Support team in your region regarding the service options for your printer.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[DNL575]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.

I tried the steps but we still get the error, FW2 ready to download. The FW is corrupt.

How can I recover the firmware ?

[Repairatrooper]

Firmware recovery must be done by connecting the printer via usb to a windows computer. If you plug in the USB and hear the device connected sound, then you should be able to recover the firmware. Go to control panel>devices and printers and create a new printer using an LPT1 port and any HP driver. Next run the firmware upgrade utility, pointing to the just created printer. Next right click on the icon for the printer you created and select printer properties from the drop down menu. Click on the ports tab and change it form LPT1 to the last USB port that shows in the port list. Wait about a minute, if the printer shows downloading firmware update, wait for it to finish. If it does not show downloading, change to the next oldest port and wait again, repeat until the upgrade starts and then let it finish.

[DNL575]

Hi there,

Thank you for your reply, we tried the steps however it does not work.

The computer recognizes the printer, we hear the USB sound. When we change it from LTP1 to usb, the screen on the printer turns white and  nothing happens. When we do the firmware update it responds to the printer, it looks like it is downloading something but at the end it will come back to ready 2 download error.

[Echo_Lake]

@DNL575

Thank you for posting back.

I appreciate your efforts to try and resolve the issue.
 

Let's try these steps to resolve the issue:

Root level uninstall and reinstall printer drivers: 

• Go to Control panel – Programs and feature – Select all the HP LaserJet printer entries and uninstall them.
• Now go to Control panel – Devices and printer – Select all the printer entries and remove the device.
• Then press the "windows key" + "r" to get the "Run" window open - Type "printui.exe /s" and press enter.
• Under print server properties, go to drivers - remove any entry there as well.
• Again, go to run window, type – “c:/programdata” – Go to Hewlett Packard folder, remove any printer related folders & files.

To reinstall, click here.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[DNL575]

Hi there,

Thank you for your reply!

What would be the correct download? When we try the full_webpack it does not recognize the USB connection.

Thanks!

[Echo_Lake]

@DNL575

Thank you for posting back. 

Here is the link: HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw

Keep me posted! 

[DNL575]

Good morning!

We tried it, but unfortunately still the same issue. 

[Echo_Lake]

@DNL575

Thank you for posting back.

That's unfortunate. As the issue persists, please reach out to HP Support in your region regarding the service options for your printer. 

If the information I've provided was helpful, give us some reinforcement by clicking the "Accept as solution" on my public post, that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!