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

[hog72712]

Identical situation. We have removed all inputs (ethernet), plugged directly into wall. Powered on and off a million times, soft reset, hard reset, tried rebooting with the updated firmware on a USB. Printer won't accept or even recognize the USB and just keeps saying 49 service error and turning off and on itself. We have tried plugging directly into computer versus using a wireless connection to try and update, nothing. A $500 POS

[JoopR]

Just wondering: Does everyone have the model "HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M281fdw"? Maybe the issue is very specific to this model only?

[katherine73]

I believe it's specific to the M281 printer series. Otherwise, it shouldn't make a difference whether it's a fdw or cdw since they have the same specs. The M281cdw is just a reseller model.

[Pabba]

Hello,

I am encountering the same issue, ever since the firmware automatically updated yesterday the printer kept on continuously rebooting. I then went to update the firmware and now I am presented with error 49 every time it boots, it won't even let me factory reset it. I spoke to HP on the phone earlier who ran through some troubleshooting steps to no avail, they advised that as the printer is out of warranty nothing can be done.

As a consumer who has always purchased HP products, I feel absolutely robbed. I mean, this was a perfectly functional printer until they rolled this terrible update out which has clearly bricked our devices. In a way, I am glad to learn that I am not alone in being affected by this issue as there is strength in numbers, maybe they will start to take this problem seriously and find a resolution.

Buying a new model for £500~ is not a solution!

If the printer cannot enter a ready state, is there any other way we can force a firmware update? HP support guy said that USB flash/firmware updates don't apply on this model as it isn't an enterprise version.

[Pabba]

Yes, this certainly is the case. I am in the same boat.

[Pabba]

Same

[MilesCo3]

I spent HOURS on the phone with HP yesterday to no avail.  The 2nd guy took control of my computer and video on my phone trying to flash the firmware.  Final gave up and said basically "tough you-know-what", you're out of warranty.  So I thought I had a $400 paperweight.   

But like the previous poster I got mine at Costco but was WAY out of warranty (June 2019).  Nonetheless I took it back to Costco this AM hoping they'd do something for me.  I even called Costco tech support because they have lifetime support on printers. No help from Tech Support.

HOWEVER---Costco took back the printer today and refunded me $400 basically no questions asked.  I simply went in a said "I hope you can help me", told them the story and told them that it happened to many others, all on Sunday and that others had had success with Costco accepting the return out of warranty.  Voila.

Moral of the story is Costco rocks and HP stinks.  Never again will I be an HP customer and I will be a Costco customer for LIFE.  THAT my friend's is the value of great vs. lousy customer service. 

I hope HP appreciates that they are doing tremendous damage to their brand over what amounts to pennies for them.  I gladly would've accepted a refurbished printer from them and been happy with the Company.  Instead they burned many bridges.  I bought a Brother.

[lpethick]

I'm having the exact same issues after running the update over the weekend. My printer is a brick, and it was working fine prior to the suggested update. In addition, I've always run genuine HP cartridges, so that's no reason for the failure. I've tried all of the  suggestions noted elsewhere in this thread, too. I liked the printer, and it's unfortunate that I'll have to take it back to Costco and get another one. I just lost my job on Friday, so the idea of spending money on another when this one was fine really ticks me off. I'm hoping HP will get not his thread and help us out. 

[katherine73]

I've removed the printer's formatter (processor) board last night, and ordered a used, known-good replacement today. While it wasn't free, paying $80 for a replacement board is still better than spending $600-700 for an entirely new printer.

If it works, I'll report back once the board is delivered and installed.

[sblake2007]

Same thing!  Spent 2 days trying to reinstall and clear the printer but the error continues. ANY IDEA when a fix will come? or how we can even put it on there?

I can get the update to the printer but once I hit "install now" it loops back to the error to "resend upgrades"