HP LaserJet Pro M281 - Consumable error after automatic printer update
Optimick
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Matracorp -
Matracorp -
Hello,
I am using an HP LaserJet Pro M281 printer with compatible cartridges.
The printer updated automatically around November 2020 and since then it has been blocked with an error message concerning the ink cartridges. HP performs automatic firmware updates to block compatible cartridges and force us to pay the high price for their cartridges.
After 2 weeks of searching, I found the solution on American forums. I’m posting this because I wish I could have found it when I was blocked.
The solution is to reinstall the old firmware dated June 12, 2020.
To do this, you need to place the firmware directly into the printer via an FTP software.
Here is the file name to install in the printer: HP_LaserJet_Pro_M280_M281_Printer_series_20200612.rfu
It’s not complicated, I’ll explain it to you.
This method works on any operating system (Windows, Linux, OS X, etc) since it relies on the printer’s local IP address via FTP to implement the old firmware directly in the printer.
So here are the steps:
1-Download the previous firmware and note where you saved it. I used the version for my M281 printer, but you can find the right one for you at: ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/networking/software/pfirmware/
Log in as “guest”.
The file for my printer is named: HP_LaserJet_Pro_M280_M281_Printer_series_20200612.rfu
2-Connect your printer via a RJ45 Ethernet cable (easier than doing it over Wi-Fi)
3-Go to your printer’s screen, then press the network icon at the top right. Then press in the center on “Connected to network” and note (or copy) the IP address of the printer after IPv4: XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX
4-Enter the IP address in your browser of choice and press Enter. This will load the Web interface for your HP printer.
5-Click on the green tab “Networking” at the top of the screen.
6-Click on the left on “Advanced” (under Configuration)
7-On the right, check the box FTP PRINTING. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the APPLY button to save the settings.
8-Open your preferred FTP application. I use FileZilla on Mac. https://filezilla-project.org
9-Enter the printer’s IP address (that you copied earlier) and log in (no username or password is required). In FileZilla, just paste the IP address into “Host” and click “Quick connect”. A white window will appear in the bottom right box.
10-Drag and drop the file HP_LaserJet_Pro_M280_M281_Printer_series_20190419.rfu into the bottom right box (for those using FileZilla). Otherwise, drag the file into the printer’s distant FTP server
11-The printer should start installing the firmware and display the HP logo and PROGRAMMING ... Once its update is complete, everything should return to normal. This was the case for me.
After successfully updating, I returned to the Web interface and disabled FTP printing. Since FTP printing is disabled by default, I assumed it was for security reasons and I disabled it..
Then I disabled the automatic update setting in the printer settings ("Config" -> "Services" -> "Update" -> "Manage updates" -> "Allow updates" -> "No"). They won’t be able to pull the rug again with an automatic update that blocks my printer.
I hope this can help some of you.
I find HP’s approach dishonest. I bought a printer. I should be free to use the ink cartridges I want. They have no right to block me.
I am using an HP LaserJet Pro M281 printer with compatible cartridges.
The printer updated automatically around November 2020 and since then it has been blocked with an error message concerning the ink cartridges. HP performs automatic firmware updates to block compatible cartridges and force us to pay the high price for their cartridges.
After 2 weeks of searching, I found the solution on American forums. I’m posting this because I wish I could have found it when I was blocked.
The solution is to reinstall the old firmware dated June 12, 2020.
To do this, you need to place the firmware directly into the printer via an FTP software.
Here is the file name to install in the printer: HP_LaserJet_Pro_M280_M281_Printer_series_20200612.rfu
It’s not complicated, I’ll explain it to you.
This method works on any operating system (Windows, Linux, OS X, etc) since it relies on the printer’s local IP address via FTP to implement the old firmware directly in the printer.
So here are the steps:
1-Download the previous firmware and note where you saved it. I used the version for my M281 printer, but you can find the right one for you at: ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/networking/software/pfirmware/
Log in as “guest”.
The file for my printer is named: HP_LaserJet_Pro_M280_M281_Printer_series_20200612.rfu
2-Connect your printer via a RJ45 Ethernet cable (easier than doing it over Wi-Fi)
3-Go to your printer’s screen, then press the network icon at the top right. Then press in the center on “Connected to network” and note (or copy) the IP address of the printer after IPv4: XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX
4-Enter the IP address in your browser of choice and press Enter. This will load the Web interface for your HP printer.
5-Click on the green tab “Networking” at the top of the screen.
6-Click on the left on “Advanced” (under Configuration)
7-On the right, check the box FTP PRINTING. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the APPLY button to save the settings.
8-Open your preferred FTP application. I use FileZilla on Mac. https://filezilla-project.org
9-Enter the printer’s IP address (that you copied earlier) and log in (no username or password is required). In FileZilla, just paste the IP address into “Host” and click “Quick connect”. A white window will appear in the bottom right box.
10-Drag and drop the file HP_LaserJet_Pro_M280_M281_Printer_series_20190419.rfu into the bottom right box (for those using FileZilla). Otherwise, drag the file into the printer’s distant FTP server
11-The printer should start installing the firmware and display the HP logo and PROGRAMMING ... Once its update is complete, everything should return to normal. This was the case for me.
After successfully updating, I returned to the Web interface and disabled FTP printing. Since FTP printing is disabled by default, I assumed it was for security reasons and I disabled it..
Then I disabled the automatic update setting in the printer settings ("Config" -> "Services" -> "Update" -> "Manage updates" -> "Allow updates" -> "No"). They won’t be able to pull the rug again with an automatic update that blocks my printer.
I hope this can help some of you.
I find HP’s approach dishonest. I bought a printer. I should be free to use the ink cartridges I want. They have no right to block me.