M277dw stuck at initializing ... error 49

[zmk1962]

M277dw stuck at initializing and never completes initializing.

After power on, I can hear the mechanical operation, then the printer goes into initializing phase but it never completes.

I have succesfully completed a power down and power discharge. I have also run NVRAM initialization (factory reset) - but the printer progresses to initializing state and gets stuck.

I have left the printer initializing for more than 40min, it then flashes up Error 49 attempts a restart and goes back to initializing. 

I cannot perform a firmware update as the printer does NOT finish initialization. 

Any other suggestions?

Regards zmk1962

[Jay_G24]

Hi @zmk1962,

I'd like to help!

I understand you are receiving error 49.

A 49 error can be intermittent or persistent:

• Intermittent 49 errors - Occur only part of the time with the printer alternating between functioning correctly for a period of time and then not functioning again. These errors are typically cleared by turning the printer off, and then on.

• Persistent 49 errors - Occur repeatedly after one or more attempts to solve the issue. These errors will not clear after turning the printer off, and then on.

Solution

1. Turn the printer off, and then on (power cycle).

2. If the error persists, print an Event Log to verify how often the error occurs.

   NOTE: 

   A frequency of one-time per week or less is not a cause for alarm and is similar in severity to an infrequent paper jam. The errors will not harm the printer.

3. If the error occurs more than one time per week, make sure Auto Recovery is enabled using either the control panel or the Embedded Web Server (EWS).

   NOTE: 

   Normally, the Auto Recovery feature is enabled by default. On the rare occasion when a 49 error does occur, this allows the printer to automatically power cycle and recover from a 49 error without user interaction.

   1. Open the following menus:

      • FutureSmart 3: Administration > Management

      • FutureSmart 4: Settings > General

   2. Select the Auto Recovery option.

   3. Select Enabled and then select Save.

If this solves the error and the error does not reoccur, there is no need to continue troubleshooting.

• If the error clears and then reoccurs again at a later date, follow the steps below for Intermittent 49 errors.

• If the error will not clear, follow the steps below for Persistent 49 errors.

Try the suggestions in the document, refer to -https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c05026822

If the issue persists, I'd suggest you contact HP in your region regarding the service options for your printer

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 “Yes" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping

[zmk1962]

Hi Jay_G24,

Thank you for your reply.

Could you please advise how I can action your suggestions:

2. If the error persists, print an Event Log to verify how often the error occurs.

OR....

1. Open the following menus:

   • FutureSmart 3: Administration > Management

   • FutureSmart 4: Settings > General

2. Select the Auto Recovery option.

3. Select Enabled and then select Save.

... if the printer never finishes initializing and hence I never get to see the Menu screens ? Is there are way to action your suggestions without the printer menus?

This is what I wrote previously....

I have succesfully completed a power down and power discharge. I have also run NVRAM initialization (factory reset) - but the printer progresses to initializing state and gets stuck.

I have left the printer initializing for more than 40min, it then flashes up Error 49 attempts a restart and goes back to initializing. 

So I never get to see the menu screens to be able to take any other action... the MFP is stuck in an initialization loop.

I look forward to your reply.

Regards

Zmk1962

[Repairatrooper]

Ignore the FutureSmart 3 or 4 information, that is not applicable to this model of printer. What you need to do is isolate whether this is a hardware issue or a software issue. So, disconnect all USB, network cables and disable the WIFI on your router if you are connecting via Wifi. Then restart the printer to see if it comes to ready. If it does, you have a corrupt print job or you need to update your firmware. To update the firmware you first need to purge the print queue to prevent the error from returning when you reconnect your printer to your computer. For a PC running windows follow these instructions https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/how-to-clear-printer-queue-in-windows-10/7e5ac...

Once the queue is cleared and then reconnect the printer. If it stays at ready, download the current firmware, install and your problem should be solved.

[zmk1962]

Hi Repairatrooper,

To your point: "Then restart the printer to see if it comes to ready."

Please re-read my original post ... the printer NEVER finishes initializing and hence does not present a ready state.

I do not have a Menu to clear jobs, cancel printing, update firmware, change Settings etc etc etc ... after power up, the printer displays "initializing", after some time the display flashes Error 49, then attempts a restart, and goes back to "initializing" ... 

I'm not sure how I can be more clearer....

[Repairatrooper]

@zmk1962 , I reread your original post and it does not indicate that you disconnected all network and usb and shut down any possible wireless so you could start the device in stand alone. Most 49 errors are caused by either corrupt print jobs or print jobs containing print data the printer cannot understand, the electronic equivalent of the machine going "What?" If you have followed my steps and you still get the 49 error in stand alone mode and as you state you have already performed an NVRAM reset then likely you have a hardware issue such as a damaged formatter. One other thing to check is to ensure that the outlet you are plugging into is good and you are not sharing that circuit with any other high current draw items like a heater or air conditioner. These small printers will draw up to 10 amps when printing.

[zmk1962]

Hi @Repairatrooper

Thank you for staying interested in my case. 

I can confirm, that all physical connections (USB, telephone, ethernet, power cable etc) had been disconnected from the MFP. Then power was drained by pressing the on off switch.  Then the  power supply was connected and touch screen pressed (LH lower corner) until "permanent memory init" was displayed . The MFP then starts "initializing" .... after some time flashes error 49 ... restarts ... starts "initializing" again ... error 49 ... repeats ....

I cannot access the menu to shut down the MFP wireless ... also it is not feasible to shut down all other wireless .... even if I turned off my wireless, I can see at least 6 other neighbour wireless networks. 

Thanks again.

[Repairatrooper]

Thanks for clarifying, I have seen many situations where people just restart and of course the error continues. Unless one of your neighbors accidently attached to your printer, it would seem unlikely that a corrupted job could be coming from there, so that really points to an issue with the electronics of your printer.

[zmk1962]

Thanks @Repairatrooper, sounds like the circuits are cooked. Time to get a new printer.

[HeKu · Accepted solution]

Dear zmk1962:

I have seen that you have replied (as the only person) to my post with a similar problem. My post has been lock because it was posted a while ago (in last October I think). Today, I tried to give it a final trial before trashing the printer which was very little used indeed. After having moved the scanner arm mechanically and baked the motherboard in the oven I tried reply #6 of this post:
https://www.druckerchannel.de/forum.php?seite=beitrag&ID=341026&t=laserjet_m277_haengt_bei_initialis...
It was a defective fax board! I disconnected the fax board and voila, the printer worked again. I just wanted to let you know. You merely have to confirm the absence of the fax board each time you power up the printer. I am using non HP toner cartridges. They obviously were not the culprits. Sadly, the quality of HP printers seems to have declined pretty much.

I hope this could also be a solution for you.

Good Luck,
Hendrik