printer keeps cycling between initializing and showing 79 error

[DavidE8364]

My printer is initializing, showing a 79 service error and then initializing again and so on continuously. I have tried turning it off and back on. I have unplugged it and replugged it. Nothing helps.

[jroza1]

I am having the same issue.  It started around 6am this morning with continual power cycles.  the Firmware date code is 20201021 and there are no firmware updates available at this time.  in addition to the error code 79, it keeps telling me I have a supply problem across all of my toner cartridges. The cartridges in the printer have been in there for months and have printed just fine, still have toner.  This is a real pisser since I have things that NEED to be printed today for my kids school and my work.  

I am using a MAC updated to the latest, not that it matters since the error occurs even if I just print a cleaning page from the service menu. 

Any help appreciated.  

[BTinDC]

It appears to be an issue with the firmware update that disallows third party toner cartridges. Many are having the same issue. Some have been able to roll back to firmware 20200612 but I've not been able to get that to work yet. 

[jroza1]

I am working on that now... This is F&*^ing angering.  Screw HP

[BTinDC]

Let me know how you make out - I've been trying every trick in the book (going off of wifi and direct USB, trying the 2019 and the 20200612 versions, but they won't see my printer ...).  The printer is dead in the water and I'm getting really really angry. 

[DavidE8364]

Two points: I use genuine HP toner cartridges not 3rd party. Also, I was able to print a test sheet for the brief period where the printer shows as "ready". So you may be able to print.

[jroza1]

David, 

HP has NO RIGHT to force us to ONLY use their toner.  This is **bleep**.  I predict a Class action lawsuit beginning this afternoon.  🙂  HP can GFIS if they think this is OK.  

[BTinDC]

I struggled with this for two days, but pieced together something that worked for me, finally! 

(and I totally agree with you that HP is being completely anticompetitive here - there seems to a lawsuit somewhere in the US about it, but the EU shouldn't allow this). 

- first, I had to uninstall the printer from my laptop (system preferences -> printers)

- then, I turned wifi off my printer and connected my Mac to the printer using the printer cable that came with the printer

- then I made sure the printer would "allow downgrade" (on the printer - setup menu ->service->laserjet update->manage updates) 

- then I downloaded the firmware updater for a 2019 version of the firmware:

I got it from a post that BAKANEKO posted : 

Before they responded I had found a previous version of the firmware using archive.org.  I found a Mac version for you at https://web.archive.org/web/20190822151326/https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softlib/software13/FW_CPE_Consumer...

- then I ran the updater, but ran in to a snag in that it said the Mac couldn't scan it so it couldn't open the software, so I learned you have to go to system preference -> security & privacy -> general, where I could see at the bottom that it I had to authorize the app to run. I did that and then it would allow me to open the app. 

- then I ran it and it didn't show the printer at first, so I turned the printer off and on and it showed it, but then it cycled for a while and said it was in "an error state" so couldn't install it, so I turned the printer off and on again and it then let me install the firmware. 

- once the firmware ran the supply errors went away! 

- I then disconnected my Mac cord from the printer, turned the printer wifi on and added the printer back. 

- Once you get there, go back to that menu on the printer (setup menu ->service->laserjet update->manage updates) and you can disallow any future updates (both the automatic checking and installing the updates). 

I hope this helps - it was 2 days of trial and error for me. Shame on HP. 

[DavidE8364]

I completely agree that they have no right to not allow 3rd party cartridges. Someone suggested that the problem may have had to do with disallowing 3rd party cartridges and I am having the problem even though I happen to have HP cartridges. Just wanted to make that clear.

[DavidE8364]

Here is a solution that I found: 

https://www.reddit.com/r/printers/comments/jpgpp3/hp_laserjet_pro_m280_m281_printer_series_20200612/

I can't completely vouch for its effectiveness but at this point my firmware datecode is back to 20200612 so I am hopeful. I will post again if I have additional problems. I've learned more than I ever wanted to know about the service menus and firmware and I will never get this afternoon back!