Error 79 on HP Color LaserJet Pro M280-M281 Multifunction Printer series

[jabzi]

Hi all,
If you are experiencing error 79 on your HP Color LaserJet Pro M280-M281 printer, we ask that you try these steps below that may resolve the issue.
If after performing the procedures the error persists, please create a new topic.
In order for us to help you more quickly, we suggest that you add the words "error 79" in the title and after publishing, click on the  so that we can support you.

Symptoms

“Error – 79” on HP Color LaserJet Pro M280-M281 Multifunction Printer series

Diagnosis

"Error 79"  displayed on printer after the a Update. Most likely the error will occur while the printer is connected to a network ( Ethernet / Wireless )

Solution

Below are the steps that one need to follow in the order as mentioned ...

1.      Disconnect the printer from the NETWORK
2.      If on wired network : Unplug the  Ethernet cable from back of the printer.
3.      If on wireless network : Power of the Wireless router. Turn off the printer.
4.      Wait for 30 seconds. Turn on the printer. 
5.      If the printer is in READY state, on the printer front panel, go to Setup -> Network Setup -> Network Services -> IPv6 -> Off.
6.      Turn off the printer. Wait for 30 seconds and then turn on the printer.
7.      Once the printer is in Ready state you may go ahead and connect the printer to the network ( Power on the Wireless Router or plug in the Ethernet cable ) and then try printing.

[LocarBrits1]

Jabzi, I have wasted two #$%^&ing days trying to solve this 79 Service Error loop that occurred when I elected to install the update as recommended.  I was connected to a wireless network just as your scenario stated.  Lots of time on the computer and the phone, and HP didn't want to talk to me because my printer was out of warranty.  I followed your steps exactly as you listed them and . . . PROBLEM SOLVED!!!   Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Stay safe!!!

[jabzi]

@LocarBrits1  

Happy printing. 🙂

[mbear-11]

Well...after hours of cursing and frustration, that worked.  Thank you.  Why HP does make things easier for their customers, I have no flipping idea, but once this printer is dead, I will NEVER BUY ANOTHER HP PRODUCT EVER - EVER AGAIN.  An absolutely terrible customer experience.  Spend a couple bucks and answer your your customer service line with a human.  

[MMAK1]

I was very very frustrated and upset about the automatic update from hp. Took me days trying to solve the error 79 problem. I am about to put this nearly year old M281cdw printer in the garbage and get a Brother printer.

Jabzi, Thank you very much for posting this solution. Yes, the printer is back by following your steps. Please post on YouTube so more people will know.

[Martzee2020]

Please help!!

I was getting this error but the printer was also rebooting on its own. When I turned the printer off and on, it went to a ready state, then rebooted itself after that it went to the 79 service error. I did the steps you described above and turned off IPv6 and the 79 error seems to get resolved, but now when I reboot the printer I am getting a status "Printer busy" and on the screen "printing document". When I hit "cancel" the printer gets "fatal error 200" and reboots. This repeats in cycles. I tried to restore defaults but to no avail.  Any idea of what to do?

[Martzee2020]

I also tried to update the firmware but it didn't seem to help either. Still, the printer goes to "printing document" and when I hit "cancel" it gets to "fatal error 200"... 😞 

[jabzi]

@Martzee2020 kindly check your inbox for more steps..

[Martzee2020]

I did as you said and it seems the printer is now working. I will celebrate later not to jinx it 😄

Thank you very much!!!!  

[CBSEnt]

i did as you said and 1 print job came out and then system went back to 79 service error. I was always a fan of HP and never experienced this horrendous type of deficiency. What do I do now? 

[Arlenek]

Jabzi you are awesome!  Not even the HP tech knew how to fix it and spent 2 hours trying to get it right. They ended up sending me a

refurbished older model printer. I was ready to scream.  HP really needs to get it together.

Thank you Jabzi!!

[Martzee2020]

@Arlenek LOL, that is funny. But I agree... Jabzi is a hero...

[Antonio_Vargas]

I want to thank you Jabzi for sharing your wisdom!

The story is pretty much the same as others stated in here:

After a couple of days of printer inactivity, my wife tried sending a simple document to a HP LaserJet Pro MFP resulting in the infamous System Error 79 😞

I started with the basic troubleshooting steps and noticed there was an automatic firmware update on  November 21, 2020 (20201021), leading me to believe the root cause was software related.

Then I realized the error would only come up while connected, either wired or wireless, to my home network.

The Virtual Agent (Bot) kept going in circles with no satisfactory solution, the HP Scan Doctor detected a Port problem but could not fix it either.

Lastly, many hours later, I came to your posting, followed the steps and system error 79 is gone for good now, my wife can go on with her printing needs, my marriage has been saved and I can finally go on watching the last Mandalorian episode 🙂

Thank you again!

[TylerTMorrow]

I genuinely love you. I was about 10 minutes away from Office Spacing my printer. No idea what you had me do, but it worked and is no longer resetting every 45 seconds. Thanks for taking the time to break this down. Seems like a very common problem. 

[Dcarl01]

Thank you so much!  I spent hours trying to trouble shoot the "79 Service" error unsuccessfully.  I then called the tech service I have with Best Buy and they worked on it remotely for about two hours, concluded it was a spooler hardware problem and said it required a service call.  So I galled the Geek Squad and scheduled a service call for today.  The tech showed up and told me they don't do "hardware" service and I could call HP, but that it would probably just be best to buy a new printer.  I went on like searching for a new printer and decided to give troubleshooting it one more time before discarding my printer and buying a new one.  Your fix worked.  I plan to express my displeasure to Best Buy and don't understand why HP doesn't post a service notice for this problem which was obviously caused by their automatic software update.

[guspal]

I also spent hours, no, days looking for an answer. I checked here before a solution was posted. I decided to try here one more time after calling HP (only bots would 'talk' with me), Staples (hey, I was desperate), a local HP dealer ("Sorry, only business solutions"), and Costco (to price new printers). Thanks SO much for providing a simple fix that did not involve a sledgehammer. And, thanks for posting in the public comments, so I didn't have to wait for a DM, as offered in a post to another frustrated customer, "because if you carry out the wrong fix for your model, you can damage your printer." 

I can now use up my new expensive HP ink before looking for a brand of printer with better support.

No disrespect to you, Jazbi. You rock.

[BFaz]

Jazbi,

THANK YOU!!! I have been messing with this printer ever since the update and I was BEYOND disappointed in HP. I cannot believe it was such a simple fix, and so many people experienced this issue. How about simple email to their customers? I called, did the virtual consultant, everything. No help. I am grateful to you for sharing your knowledge.  Otherwise I would have had to purchase a new printer. And it wouldn't have been an HP.

Thanks again.

[MargotW]

I was in the same boat as BFaz. Your information worked!! 3 days on this... THANK YOU. I was ready to throw it off my roof and buy a new printer - not a HP one for sure! 

[SuziQ63]

What if it’s not in a ready state? All it says at start up is Supply problem with ???? In boxes

[guspal]

SuziQ63 -

I'm sure someone else will provide a more expert answer, but that is the error I had which I believe is from using non-HP cartridges. 

Guspal

[SuziQ63]

So did the above fix work for that. Cause I can’t get it past the supply problem

[guspal]

I didn’t try the fix until I bit the bullet and bought HP cartridges, and the problem persisted. I don’t recall if I could navigate the menu at all when the supply error was there. If you can, you could try to turn off the setting he describes in the fix (IPv6). It might stop it from cycling, but you’ll still get the supply error unless you can downgrade the firmware with that error.   I was eventually able to downgrade the firmware, but I did it with the new HP cartridges, then switched back to the third party ones. As a side note, one third-party toner supplier I spoke with told me they upgraded the chips on their cartridges to work with the new firmware and guarantee the product will work. Unfortunately, I forgot which company I called. 

[SharonA18]

Thank You Jabsi!

I tried for days to resolve this issue. Following your steps I was able to print again in 10 minutes. 

Thank goodness their are people like you that graciously share their knowledge.

[Brian330]

Just awesome... thank you!

[maverickvik]

This is awesome. I spent like a week (on and off) trying out so many different things (almost dismantled the printer - jk). This worked like a charm. Thanks for your help.

[ChristyDickt]

Hello, I have gone through the steps and I thought I was fixed. However,  when I tried to print. It went back to error and began the shutdown/restart cycle again.

[jabzi]

Do you still see Error 79 or error 79 + Supply error .?

[ChristyDickt]

Error 79. I followed your steps. It went to the ready screen. Until I tried to print and then error 79 and shut down/start cycle. I then downloaded the firmware from the HP site. Got the ready screen again then when I tried to print configuration page got the error 79 and shut down/start cycle again. 

[jabzi]

@ChristyDickt , 

Could you help me with the HP site  from where you downloaded the firmware ?

[Abbie9]

Is there a way to disconnect the printer from the "Network" on my PC? My printer runs constantly and will not let me into the front panel to even access settings, etc.

[Johnnyk369]

Thank you for posting this solution. I tried everything over and over. I even opened up the printer and checked all the connections. I never would have thought of that. It makes sense now because every time I connected to the network the 79 service code error would turn on.

[CW9025]

JAZBI,

Thanks for the assistance. Tried normal avenues via HP and all I got were signups for additional services with no indication of answers to the problem. My error 79 occurred in Nov as well since the auto download of the new software. The software was the problem. Interim solution was to use direct link via USB to printer. But i could never get all functions to work. You saved me from ditching this printer (2 years flawless use prior). Is anyone telling HP about the screwup with their downloaded new software to the printer ?  I don't know how to contact them. BTW, what does turning off the IPv6 do anyway? is that the new software that was rammed down our throats?

[Bob1551]

This worked for me!  Why does HP push updates that basically brick it’s printers?

if I were not tech savvy I would need to hire a professional or buy another printer! 

Fortunately, I am not using IPV6, but what if I wanted to?  My printer would be worthless as I see no option to roll back the update.  

[jazzie2]

I disconected the printer from the network works fine when i try to reconnect I get the service error 79 and then to the continous reboot

[Peggysquared]

First of all, thank you Jabzi.  So far so good.  I did what what you said.  What does IPV6 do anyway?  I am not happy with the hoops that one must jump through to get some help.  This has been a great printer with no issues until I did the update as recommended.  Then, like everyone else, the error code just persisted and I was unable to find any help on the HP website or by a general search on the internet.  I finally paid someone to help me out and I successfully printed a couple of test prints, so thought all was well.  Then the error code returned.   Somehow I found this HP Community link and I did what you said and have successfully printed a document from each of my computers.  No error code yet!  It's been about 30 minutes and the error code has not returned.  I hope that the problem is solved.  HP definitely needs to improve their customer service.  The virtual agent just talks in circles and that is a complete waste of time and only added to my frustration.  Anyway, thanks again.

[ssdjn1]

Jabzi .....was frustrated beyond ...... followed your instructions and working now!!!

Thanks so much for the post!

[LSACCO12]

Thank you Jabzi!!!!! This did the trick--and it was quite simple for a non-techie like me to follow! You da besttttt 😁

[Fishbone71]

Thank you! This worked for me! I was trying to find the previous firmware version but couldn't find it. Then I saw this one and it worked! Funny thing is, if it's really so that it forces you to use HP toner, they need to change something because the toner that is in the printer is original toner that came with it!! Hopefully the next upgrade version will be better. There sure have been enough complaints about this one!

[JP8881]

Thanks!!!!!!!

Disabling ip6 solves the problem!

Thank yo so much for this fix!!!

[RexTex]

Fantastic solution — thanks for your help! I was not automatically installing firmware updates and foolishly decided to update it manually. This error made it appear that the update had failed and made the printer unusable. I am mystified that you were able to trace the problem to the IPv6 function, but Bob1551 raises a good point: what if I WANTED to use IPv6? That feature is now permanently broken, it would seem.

[Yasir2021]

Hi,
I want a Laser Printer That Captures a scanned page like a camera shot in just one second.
Just like a camera flash occurs. Is it possible with a laser printer? I Purchased a laser Printer MFP 135a but this feature is not available. This is my idea.
Thank you for your time and effort.

[withway]

Ugh! Error 79.  The printer seems to think there is a paper jam.  There is not.  

[Zamuro88]

Oh My God, finally I was ready to through the printer way specially trying to get ready for Tax preparation, it was very simple, again big THANKS 

And for sure HP online help people should know about this, a big surprise from the HP such a big company, they most definitely need to improve this department.

I work in a Medical Device company and they do not let customer go until things are resolve, I can not compare printers from pacemakers but still they could do a better job

[Jay_G24]

Hi @Vorleser1,

I'd like to help!

Follow the instructions to change the language -

Select setup --->System Setup--->language--> select the desired language 

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

And, Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

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

[JonB510]

Turning off IPv6 did not solve the issue for me. But an agent, Rachel, suggested and then helped me reset the nvram and now it seems to work (I've reconnected the network cable and printed a few pages).

If you have a touchscreen, the instructions were to touch the lower right quadrant of the screen during boot up until you get the "permanent storage init" message, then you can release.

it then initializes Once it was up. I plugged in the cable, and no reset.

(I still had IPv6 disabled, not sure if that needs to happen and nvram reset, or if just the nvram alone would have done it)

[Jay_G24]

I am glad the issue resolved.

 If you need further assistance feel free to reach out to us.

Have a great day ahead!

Please click “Accepted Solution” on my public post 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!

[krystan]

In the end i tried the nvram reset and that work a treat kudos to JonB510

[Devuh]

Thank you all for this information! Life saver. JonB510, your instructions finally stopped my stupid printer from rebooting over and over again. Thank you!!

[JFH_PRN]

Kudos to JonB510 - Mega thanks for your awesome reply.

not sure how to send you a Kudos through this site, but i will once i figure out how.

I have wasted tons of hours trying to resolve this HP-made issue, went to many websites, but only your answer resolved the issue. 

However, what impressed me the most, is that you just created your account to share the resolution with the rest of the world. HP should PAY you. Hats off to you and to your helping attitude. I learned from you. i created this account just to thank you.

I was literally going to sell the printer as junk.  Never again HP. Once I am done with the toner, I will be looking for other printer. 

[JonB510]

Thank you for the kudos. I was just sharing what the tech had told me, so credit to her.

[imaginethat4u]

The above resolution is NOT working and the printer is continuing to reboot endlessly.  I have finally turned it off.  Any other options to fix this?  It does seem to have the newer firmware.  Uuugh!