Color LaserJet Pro MFP-M281fdw shows 49 Service Error after firmware update from 20th October

[katherine73]

@Jerrykur - I'd check the cabling. The only cabling to the formatter board that is important is the power cable on the bottom right (POWER) and the top right connection (MFRAME) for the LCD display. Nothing else has to be hooked up to test the board.

I did run into an issue where the display wouldn't power on and found the traces on the paper ribbon cable was starting to  delaminate. It looked like a manufacturing issue,  so I ended up snipped the very end off. It worked fine after that.

Otherwise, try putting the old board back in and if it works, then contact the reseller of the formatter board. It might be bad.

[Jerrykur]

@Katherine73.  Thanks for the advice.   I will give it a try.

Do you know if I need to put the side plastic cover on while I am troubleshooting this issue.  I did not see any switches, but you never know.  

[katherine73]

@Jerrykur - Nope. Just remember to unplug it when messing with the connections to the board. Otherwise, the side cover isn't needed and just those two cables are enough to allow it to power on. The rest of the cables are for printer/scanner/fax/print engine/etc. functions. Not necessary to get the formatter board to boot.

[Jerrykur]

@Katherine73.  Thanks for the help.  Looks like the replacement board is defective.  When I swap back the board with the junk firmware the display work fine. Time to contact the seller in Penn and see about returning this.   He is out of stock, so maybe I will contact the person in Florida.  But maybe it is just time to put this printer in the waste pile.   

Either way I really appreciate your guidance on replacing this board and troubleshooting the defective replacement. 

[katherine73]

@Jerrykur, sorry it didn't work out. However, they both take returns. If the board is defective the seller will have to pay return shipping on eBay. Regardless if he's out of stock, he would just refund your purchase.

I ended up buying from the guy in Florida since he used priority mail and the person in Penn didn't. I knew I'd get it faster and I did (literally took 2 days to arrive.)

[Jerrykur]

Thanks @katherine73.  They did refund since they don’t have stock.  I ordered from the Florida guy.  I haven’t gotten a delivery date yet, but hopefully it is soon.  If nothing else I am getting really fast at swapping these boards!

[惠普小生]

Unlock the DC board HP/HP M254 M280 M281 M180n M181 M153 M154 and resend the upgrade

[Lucaming]

Hi, what's the procedure for unlocking the DC board?

Thank you

[Angelos05]

I have the same problem since 27.10.2022. it is incredible what HP does to us.

Hope something happens soon and HP will reactivate the printer.

[katherine73]

What do you mean unlock the DC board? There's two main boards on the M281: 1. Formatter board (which has the processor and printer firmware) 2. Print Engine board (which controls print functions duplex, rollers, etc.)

If you know a way to force the formatter board into a mode to accept firmware updates, then please let us know. I've tried all of the jumpers nothing seems to work. I'm wondering if the FW_UPGRADE jumper is reverse logic and might prevent upgrades.