Color LaserJet Pro MFP 4301 PCL Error after Firmware Update

[Critic83]

After the most recent Firmware update, I receive PCL XL Error, Subsystem IMAGE, Error Extra Data, Operator ReadImage, Position 21 each time I try to print. It does not matter if it is an excel, word, or pdf document. The font gets changed to blocks and circles sometimes, or a large shaded square gets added to the page, or vertical lines. Rarely does a page print properly.

[BeemerBiker]

There seem to be two different updates both the same version but with a different way to install.

You might try updating again.

If the problem still occurs after power-off/reset then contact HP agent to complain about the recent (Dec 5,  2025) update.

Click here to check warranty
and
Click here for world-wide contact info

Or contact the closest authorized service center

Let me know what you find out.

[BeemerBiker]

After the firmware update you may need to install or re-install the latest driver.

Note there is an universal driver dated July 2025 but also a "recommended" that is over a year older.

There is also a PDF driver that is September 2025. 
I do not know which one to use if any or all.  This was suggested to me by our expert @Repairatrooper 

[MrMannn]

Same problem here.  I've been banging my head against a wall since.  Tried all the different drivers they have on the support page with no luck.  We don't seem to be getting the PCL Errors anymore but the coloured blocks and lines are crazy.  Outlook calendars are especially wonky.  One time it printed the entire page solid dark green, the next time it was half the page in solid yellow, the next one printed the calendar shifted laterally so that it wrapped around to the other side of the page and printed the background in grey.  Really weird things happening.  I'd roll back to the previous firmware if it were available.

[MrMannn]

I seem to have fixed the issue, at least for me.  I removed the current Universal Smart Driver version 5.3 and installed an older one (ver 3.6).  Seems to have done the trick.  Note that I am using Windows Server 2019 as a print server.  I think there's an incompatibility with the new driver/firmware with that operating system.

[BeemerBiker]

@Critic83 what OS are you using?

Did you try the older PCL version?