Solved: Re: 79 service error - HP Support Community

shark10 · ‎12-18-2013

I have an HP LaserPro 200 that is not more than 5 months old. I just started receiving a "79 error service" msg everytime I try to turn on the printer - it happened initially yesterday when I tried to print an on-line document. Everytime I attempt to turn off/on the printer, it will fire up initially but then then it will reboot itself and display the error message. I disconnected power cords, network cables, etc in combination with rebooting but to no avail. I have read on other boards maybe something with a firmware update, or possibly the formatter is bad... can anyone offer some troubleshooting guidelines? thanks!

EastTXTechDoc · ‎05-16-2014

I ran into this same problem with the LaserJet M401dn. I noticed this issue occured when the printer was hooked up to the PC via USB. I followed HPs steps on trying to fix this problem and needless to say, their steps weren't worth a hill of beans. The printer is working now now via these steps that I'm going to list.

1) Restart the printer with only the power cord being attached. If you're STILL getting the 79 error service, then it is most likely a firmware issue. Luckily for me it wasn't. The printer started right up as it should.

2) If your printer starts right up, attach an Ethernet cable from the printer to your router/switch/DSL or cable modem.

3) Select the Network icon on your printer screen and check to see if your printer has authenticated to the network and lists an IP address. If you're on a home network the IP address will show something like 192.168.x.xx.

4) Once connected to the network you'll run a firmware update. Click on your Settings icon, select LaserJet Update, Check for Updates Now. Continue by selecting the update and download and install.

After the firmware installs, at this point you might be able to get the printer to work by hooking the USB cable back up to the printer. I on the other hand did a couple other steps before hooking the printer back up.

5) I installed all of the Windows Updates (critical), updated Java

6) Uninstalled the HP printer software for the M401dn and restarted the PC

7) THIS STEP IS NOT FOR THOSE THAT AREN'T FAMILIAR WITH EDITING THE REGISTRY. If you have no knowledge of how to edit your registry, then PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT this. Have someone with knowledge do this step. I, nor HP can be held responsible for any mistakes that you make with this step. DO AT YOUR OWN RISK. In the registry I searched for Packard and deleted all Keys or entries that had M401 listed. DO NOT DELETE THE KEY IF IT DOESN'T LIST M401, as there are Hewlett-Packard printer drivers that are built into the operating system and they do show up in the registry.

I ran through the registry twice searching for any sign of the printer driver being installed. Restart the computer again.

😎 Reinstall the HP LaserJet Pro 400 M401 Printer Series PCL6 Print Driver that is relevant to your PC. (Sorry, I don't know how to deal with Macs.) DON'T download the Full Software and Drivers or the one WITHOUT the installer. Don't use the disc to install the drivers either. Just download the most recent version of the software from HPs website. Install the software and attach the printer when asked to do so. Hopefully you're golden at this point just like I was!

If for some reason this doesn't work for you, I would format your hard drive and reinstall Windows and all of your software. Apparently there is something within the registry or on your computer that is keeping the printer from working. I hope this helps you all out!

View solution in original post

Gemini02 · ‎12-20-2013

Hi shark10

I understand you are getting a 79 service error.

Make sure the printer is connected directly to a wall outlet. (don't use a power hub or a surge protector)

I would recommend to run a firmware update on the printer.

Remove and reinsert the toner and do a power reset.

Please provide the full name and product number of your printer.

Click Here. (m251, m276)

Gemini02

I work on behalf of HP

Click the Thumbs Up below to say “Thanks” for helping!

Daveshp · ‎01-25-2014

Had same problem, the above fix did not work for me. Have you found a solution yet? M251

shark10 · ‎01-25-2014

Hello.

Unfortunately none of the fixes posted in this thread or others that I reviewed seemed to work. I ended up calling HP Support directly and they were actually quite helpful with attempting to troubleshoot my problem (my purchase was still less than a year old). Ultimately, nothing seemed to fix the problem and I requested a replacement unit be shipped to me. They complied and my second LaserJet Pro 200 has been working just fine since.

I wish there was a more positive outcome for others who may experience the same problem.

Daveshp · ‎01-25-2014

Ok - thanks. I'm on printer #2, same issue.

Daveshp · ‎01-25-2014

Plugged into a 20w circuit - same issue. Tried the test page again and the test page worked. So I...

1. Reset all printer settings.

2. Added new printer

3. Selected "IP" - this brought up the correct driver, which was different from the one the HP install choose.

(The New IP selected driver was "Generic Postscript" - the HP install choose Airprint.)

4. Hit OK.

Is now working like a champ - even on the 15w circuit.

Wow - been looking for that fix for months!

Larryquicken · ‎03-04-2014

We have been having this same issue on my job but I think our situation was a little more complex than this. One of our departmental printers (HP LaserJet Pro 400 m401dn) began to show the '79 Service Error' message preventing people from printing.

Here are the troubleshooting steps that were performed:

1.Performed a network and factory restore and reapplied the original static IP address.
Still got the error.
2. Applied a DHCP address to the printer, which worked fine. Changed back the the
original static IP address and the error persisted.
3. Using the DHCP address, performed a firmware update. After the update, reapplied
the original static IP address and it then produced a '49 Service Error' message. After
restarting, the 79 Service Error message came back.
4. Took over a different model printer (HP LaserJet Pro 400 m401dne) and applied the
original static IP address to it. It also produced the 79 Service Error message. I can't
remember if I applied a DHCP address to this different printer but I am sure I did and it
work fine.
5. Received a different static IP address from telecom to test with and applied it to the
original printer and it worked fine.
6. Took over a third printer (HP LaserJet P4515x) that was a different model and
applied the original static IP address to it and it also produced and error causing printing
to be hindered.

It is good to notice that this error has spaned across three different printer models. I know that HP's site states that this error is caused primarily by a DIMM issue. However, we have not been able to confirm that in our situation. The only solution that we have been able to come up with to resolve this is to apply a different static IP address.

fi_rjudd · ‎03-19-2014

I received this error just today. First, I'd like to say 'Kudos to HP Support' for the two techs that helped me - greatly appreciated! My problems started when my boss tried to print a specific document this morning. Checking the resultant 79 Service Error led me to believe the problem was with his Formatter PCA, so I swapped out his printer (M401dn) with a spare (M401n). This afternoon when he tried to print the same document, the spare printer began showing the 79 Service Error. OK, I'll admit this next step was not the most intelligent thing I've ever done, but I tried printing to my printer (also an M401dn). Now my printer had the blasted 79 Service Error. Trouble-shooting with the HP techs led us to resolve the issue by:

1) Perform a hard (NVRAM) reset

2) Change the static IP assignment to a different IP address (just like Larryquicken's solution)

After that, we're able to use our printers again. What troubles me still is that I now have 3 "dead" IP addresses in my printer range. The HP tech did not know why the printers now balk at these particular addresses. I can't blame the network because nothing changed on the network side. The cause was the document we tried sending to the printers. Does anyone know, or can provide a guess or two for me to pursue as to why the printers suddenly don't like that IP address? While I'm very happy to be printing again, I'd really like to solve the deeper mystery of why the printers now don't like those addresses.

Larryquicken · ‎03-19-2014

fi_rjudd,

We are still not sure why our particular ID address is no longer "accepted" on our network. However, I belive that the network team here might be able to figure out why. I can try passing this on to them and see of they can figure something out.

Daveshp · ‎03-19-2014

Tried a different IP - not working. The above fix - a larger circuit - didn't work for long. Took the HP back, now have a brother laser printer. Zero issues...700 pages and counting. Only bac thing is the quality on photos is no where near the HP. But at least it works consistently, and text, & small graphics are crisp.

79 service error

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