Unable to update firmware HP Color Laser Jet Pro MFP M477fdw; using MacOS 15.5 Sequoia

[JoeyBooter]

Hello,

   I recently picked up a USED HP Color Laser Jet Pro MFP M477fdw printer at an estate sale. Obviously out of warranty. Using this printer with MacBooks and iPads. This is the first and only HP printer I have ever owned. No issues connecting via WiFi. As purchased, print quality was not good, (toner cartridges all non-OEM). I replaced them with new non-OEM cartridges. Print quality is now excellent. Copy and scan also work as expected. Unlikely I will ever use the fax function.

   Setup all seems straightforward. I installed software via HP Easy Start and installed HP Smart on my MacBook and iPad. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the software and performed factory reset several times. No matter what I have tried HP Smart always see the printer but will not add it to my HP Smart account.

   I’m not sure if the above issue is related to not being able to update the printer’s firmware. Version installed is 20201022. The firmware update feature on the control panel works but says “no update found.” The latest version as shown at the HP website product page is version 20211118.

   My research shows other update methods are available such as using HP Smart, the Embedded Web Server (EWS) or running the firmware update program. Neither HP Smart or EWS shows me any menu options to update firmware.

   The firmware update program was problematic. Download was OK. The MacBook’s security prevented the program from running. I went through the necessary gyrations (give it permission to run, un-sign and re-sign the program, etc.) to make it run. The program now runs but never sees the printer during Device Discovery. Despite the several methods available I am unable to update the printer firmware.

   Is it possible that either of these issues are related to being out of the warranty period or being so old that they are intentionally removed? Thankfully the printer seems to be completely usable as is but it seems odd that these issues exist, at least for me anyway.

   Any assistance in either or both of these matters is appreciated.