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

[DASH19]

ok thanks @Katherine73. 

Looks like a replacement board is the only option. I have ordered that from AliExpress today. hoping that will help resolve the issue.

[Deuils]

@DASH19

Last night I tried the USBSend and had precisely the same experience as you, including the Fatal error message from the PC.
It became clear that it's not going to work if the printer is not even going to reach a ready state of some sort. Obviously the firmware is not going to be able to get through while the printer is turning itself off and on again. 

I also tried M280 M281_HP_LaserJet_Pro_M280_M281_Printer_series_20200612 W10.64.exe file and started sending firmware from that. There were some indicators from the 281 display that something might have happened. At one point it went to the re-initialise screen to setup language, etc, but not long after clicking on "self-managed" option, it went to the accursed 49 error. 

@mp3stang

I was disgusted reading what HP said to you and agree with you 1000% - completely unacceptable. What is wrong with these people? This is barely anything less than cyber-terrorism. They have entered our private houses (or businesses) and vandalised our property, and then walked out again. 
Haven't had much luck with the ACCC (in Oz), am going to try Consumer Affair next.

[micha77]

Hi @katherine73, hi all,

I finally managed to get my MFA281 working, thanks to katherine's hint with pressing the display on lower left corner while the printer is starting up. ( Do it short after white hp logo appears on black background )

My history was: I ordered a new formatter board from Aliexpress (€ 90), installed it. Printer was then booting, but did not want to accept my toner cartridges because device location was set to "China" and I have german cartridges. After doing the 'press touchscreen on startup trick I could choose the language and location - however I only could choose asian countries and 'USA' ... so I picked USA.

Then printer was accepting Cyan and Magenta cartridge, but rejecting yellow and black. cartridges. I knew these have been very low on capacity so I tried a new black and yellow. Fortunately it worked well and I can finally print.

What a long journey. I lost hope in between, but I had toner on stock for about € 400 and fixing this kind of stuff is kind of a hobby. I feel sorry for those who do not want or are unable to go through the above. If you have lot of toner on stock you might be able to buy a used M281 - otherwise buying another printer seems the only option.

[katherine73]

@Micha77 - that's great news! So glad to hear you were able to get the new formatter board working after resetting.

[Ralph_W1]

@Katharine73 - Hi, can you tell me exactly where to press. On the ? or directly in the display? Unfortunately, I have the same error.  I found it, but unfortunately my mistake remains.

[katherine73]

@Ralph_W1 - Directly on the display as soon as the printer starts up. You hold you finger there and wait. It will show a message after a while about initializing permanent storage.

[Ralph_W1]

@Katherine73 - Thank you, I have found that. Unfortunately, my 49 error remains 😪

[katherine73]

Unfortunately, it won’t fix a 49 error. It only does a factory reset of the printer, which won’t resolve a bad firmware flash. So far, no one has been able to recovery their printers from the dreaded 49 error without replacing the formatter board. The reboot looping doesn’t give you enough time to reflash the firmware over USB. 

[Ralph_W1]

Okay, I guess I'll have to buy a new printer.

[lw816]

Did you ever get a resolution?  I'm experiencing the same issue.