Color Laser MFP 179fnw

[melhart]

My printer continues to initialize.

Appear on the screen the following:

System Initialize

Warming up

Ready to Copy

Phone

System Initialize

and so on in a loop

[Max3Aj]

Hi @melhart, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you. 

It looks like your Color Laser MFP 179fnw is stuck in an initialization loop. Here are a few steps to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

Basic Troubleshooting

Power Cycle the Printer

• Turn off the printer.
• Unplug it from the power source for 5-10 minutes.
• Plug it back in and turn it on.

Check Power Supply

• Ensure the printer is directly plugged into a wall outlet (not a power strip or surge protector).
• Try a different power outlet.

Disconnect All Cables

• If connected via USB or Ethernet, disconnect these cables.
• Restart the printer and check if it completes initialization.

Advanced Troubleshooting

Update Firmware (If Possible)
If the printer is accessible via the Embedded Web Server (EWS):

• Access the printer’s IP address from a web browser (find the IP via your router).
• Check for any available firmware updates.

Factory Reset
If the control panel is responsive:

• Press Menu → System Setup → Clear Setting → Reset
• If the menu is unresponsive, try a hard reset:
  • Turn off the printer.
  • Hold Stop (Red X) + Power button simultaneously for 10-15 seconds.

Check for Hardware Issues

• If you recently changed toner cartridges, try reinstalling them.
• Open and close all compartments to ensure no paper jams or loose components.

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted 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! 

Max3Aj

HP Support 

[melhart]

Hi, thank you for your response and assistance. 

But, unfortunately, nothing works. 

Does it mean I have to buy a new machine?

This printer is almost 5 years old, not sure if it's old enough to have it replaced. 

Regards. 

[Max3Aj]

@melhart, Thank you for your response. 

Not necessarily! If none of the steps worked, there are still a few more things to try before considering a replacement.

Try a Cold Reset (NVRAM Reset)

This will restore the printer to factory settings:

>Turn off the printer.

>Press and hold the Stop (Red X) button and the Power button at the same time.

>Keep holding them for about 15-20 seconds until the printer starts.

>Release the buttons and wait to see if it initializes properly.

Check for Firmware Recovery (USB Method)

>Since your printer is stuck in a loop, normal firmware updates may not work. Instead, try forcing a firmware recovery:

>Download the latest firmware for the Color Laser MFP 179fnw from HP support site.

>Connect your printer to a Windows PC via USB.

>Run the firmware update tool on your PC.

>Follow the on-screen instructions to update the printer.

Service Mode Reset (Hidden Menu)

>Turn off the printer.

>Press and hold Stop (Red X) + Menu + Power buttons together for about 10 seconds.

>If a menu appears, look for an option like "Factory Reset" or "EEPROM Clear."

Possible Hardware Failure

If none of these steps work, the issue could be:

A corrupt firmware chip (common after failed updates).

A faulty power supply unit (PSU).

A damaged formatter board (main logic board).

I hope this helps!

If my response resolves your issue, please click “Accepted Solution” to help others find the answer. Also, don’t forget to click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up” button to say thanks!

Take care and have a great day.

Max3Aj

HP Support