This section provides information about the following topics:

• Introduction
• What you need to know
• About firmware downgrades
• Step one: Print a Configuration page
• Step two: Download the latest firmware
• Step three: Update the firmware

Similar to service packs for operating systems, HP provides firmware updates for printers to help address any known issues and add new features throughout the support life of the printer. To make sure the printer is up to date, HP recommends updating the firmware for HP Enterprise models.

This document provides instructions on how to update the firmware for a single printer when the printer is in a ready state or an error state.

For instructions on how to update the firmware for multiple printers at one time using HP Web Jetadmin, go to Update firmware using HP Web Jetadmin (c03840402) (in English).

For information about updating Jetdirect Print Servers using HP Web Jetadmin or HP Download Manager with FTP or the Jetdirect Embedded Web Server, go to www.hp.com/go/wja_firmware.

Before performing a firmware update, review these requirements:

• •

  This printer cannot be updated using the traditional FTP, LPR, or Port 9100 methods.

• •

  If you have a third party solution, HP recommends contacting the vendor to make sure that the latest firmware version is compatible with the third party solution.

• •

  A firmware update can require 10 to 30 minutes or more to complete depending on the speed of the computer and the connection type to the printer, and any print jobs pending in the printer queue.

• •

  The firmware update process requires a network connection or USB flash drive.

• •

  Access to some menus on the control panel might require administrator privileges or a passcode.

If you attempt to downgrade the firmware from a remote location to a version older than FutureSmart Bundle Version 3.7 for some newer HP Enterprise printer models, the downgrade will fail and you will receive a 99.02.32 control panel error and a 33.05.09 event log message.

This is due to a new security feature that requires someone to be present at the printer in order to perform a firmware downgrade and prevents HP SureStart printers from being downgraded remotely. This applies to HP Enterprise models M506, M552, M553, M604, M605, and M606. Other HP Enterprise printer models will not experience this issue. For more information about this feature, go to Embedded Security features (c04920057).

HP recommends using the latest firmware available but if a downgrade is absolutely necessary, then use the Preboot menu at the control panel to downgrade the firmware and avoid any errors. Any attempt to downgrade the firmware remotely-- or to downgrade using the Device Maintenance menu, the printer’s EWS, or Web Jetadmin-- will result in an error and the downgrade will fail. For instructions on how to downgrade the firmware for a single printer using the Preboot menu method with a USB flash drive, see Method three: USB flash drive - Preboot menu.

To obtain the IP address and determine the version of firmware currently installed on the printer when it is in a ready state, print a configuration page.

1. 1.

   Use one of the following methods to print a Configuration Page.

   From the Home screen on the printer control panel, follow these steps:

   1. a.

      Scroll to and open the following menus:

      • •

        Administration

      • •

        Reports

      • •

        Configuration/Status Pages

      • •

        Configuration page

   2. b.

      Select Print.

   From the Embedded Web Server (EWS), follow these steps:

   1. a.

      Select the Information tab.

   2. b.

      Select Printable Reports and Pages, select Configuration page, and then select Print.

      

      NOTE:While you can view the Firmware Revision and Datecode under the "Device Information" section of the Configuration page on the Information tab, it is recommended that you physically print the Configuration page from the printer to verify the installed firmware version.

2. 2.

   On the Configuration Page, look in the "Device Information" section for the Firmware Revision and Firmware Datecode similar to the following example:

   • •

     Firmware Revision: 2131029_189663 (version installed)

   • •

     Firmware Datecode: 20110811 (version date)

The HP LaserJet firmware download available from www.hp.com contains firmware for the printer, embedded Jetdirect (if applicable), and HP paper handling accessories used with the printer in one convenient file.

1. 1.

   Go to HP Support.

2. 2.

   Select Drivers & Downloads, type your printer name/number in the search box, select Go, and then select your model from the list of search results.

3. 3.

   Scroll to the bottom of the operating system list and then select OS Independent.

4. 4.

   Under the Firmware section, locate the latest firmware file, select Download, and then select Save.

   

   NOTE:To view the latest enhancements, fixes, and other helpful information, select the firmware filename and then select the Readme tab.

5. 5.

   Select Open folder or browse to the location where you saved the file, right-click the .zip file, and then extract all files.

6. 6.

   Note the location of the .bdl file.

   

   NOTE:The firmware file is in the format "xxxxxxx.bdl" where "xxxxxxxx" indicates the firmware file name and ".bdl" is the file extension. This file will not launch or install automatically.

There are three supported methods to perform a firmware update on this printer. Use only one of the following methods to update the firmware of this printer either locally or remotely. If the printer is in an error state, use Method three: USB flash drive — Preboot menu.

Method one: Embedded Web Server (EWS)

The Embedded Web Server (EWS) can be used to update the firmware remotely on a network-connected printer in a ready state. These steps should only be used if the printer is able to boot to a ready state. For a USB-connected printer, skip to Method two: USB flash drive — Device Maintenance menu.

Follow the instructions below and/or watch the following video. If the video does not play, click here to view it on YouTube.

Brightcove video for EWS method

1. 1.

   Turn the printer Off and then On, and then wait until it arrives at a ready state.

   

   NOTE:If there is an error message displayed on the control panel, resolve the error first. If the error message persists, see Method three: Update firmware using a USB flash drive - Preboot menu.

2. 2.

   Open a Web browser, and in the address field, type the printer IP address exactly as it appears on the Configuration Page and then press Enter.

   The Embedded Web Server (EWS) opens.

3. 3.

   Select the General tab.

4. 4.

   In the left pane, select Firmware Upgrade, and then select Browse.

   

   NOTE:If an “administrator password must be set" warning displays, select the Security tab, select the General Security option in the left pane, and then under the Set the Local Administrator password section, reset the password.

5. 5.

   Browse to the location where the firmware files were extracted, select the .bdl file, select Install, and then wait for the update process to complete.

   

   NOTE:Do not close the browser window until the HP Embedded Web Server (EWS) displays the confirmation page.

6. 6.

   On the EWS confirmation page, select Restart Now, or turn the printer Off and then On again.

   

   NOTE:The printer will NOT automatically reboot. To ensure a successful firmware update, make sure to reboot the printer.

7. 7.

   After the printer is back online, print a Configuration Page and verify that the new firmware version is installed.

Method two: USB flash drive - Device Maintenance menu

A portable USB flash drive can be used to update the firmware directly from the control panel when the printer is in a ready state. These steps should only be used if the printer is able to boot to a ready state.

Follow the instructions below and/or watch the following video. If the video does not play, click here to view it on YouTube.

Brightcove video for USB method — Device Maintenance menu

1. 1.

   Copy the .bdl file (downloaded previously) to a portable USB flash drive.

   

   NOTE:USB flash drives with a CD formatted partition might not be recognized by the printer. You might need to try a different USB flash drive.

2. 2.

   Turn the printer Off and then On, and then wait until it arrives at a ready state.

   

   NOTE:If there is an error message displayed on the control panel, resolve the error first. If the error message persists, see Method three: Update firmware using a USB flash drive - Preboot menu.

3. 3.

   From the Home screen on the printer control panel, scroll to and select Device Maintenance.

4. 4.

   Scroll to and select USB Firmware Upgrade.

5. 5.

   Insert the USB flash drive with the .bdl file on it into the USB port on the front of the printer (remove the seal if necessary).

   

   NOTE:If the message No USB Thumbdrive Files Found displays on the control panel, make sure the .bdl file is saved to the main directory and is not inside a folder. If the message persists, try using a different USB flash drive.

6. 6.

   Select the .bdl file, and then select OK or Upgrade.

   

   NOTE:If there is more than one .bdl file on the storage device, make sure to scroll to and select the correct file for the printer and firmware version.

7. 7.

   If you receive a prompt to re-install the same, roll back to an older, or upgrade to the newer version, make sure you selected the correct firmware revision, and then select OK or select Reinstall, Rollback, or Upgrade.

8. 8.

   Wait for the update process to complete and for the printer to automatically reboot.

9. 9.

   After the printer is back online, print a Configuration Page and verify that the new firmware version is installed.

Method three: USB flash drive - Preboot menu

A firmware update might be necessary to help resolve an issue for a single printer. When the printer is in an error state, the Preboot menu can be used to update the firmware directly from the control panel using a portable USB flash drive.

1. 1.

   Copy the .bdl file (downloaded previously) to a USB flash drive.

   

   NOTE:USB flash drives with a CD formatted partition might not be recognized by the printer. You might need to try a different USB flash drive.

2. 2.

   On the control panel, open the Preboot menu.

   • •

     Turn the printer Off and then On, and when the HP logo displays on the control panel and all three Ready, Data, and Attention LEDs illuminate solid, press .

     OR

   • •

     Turn the printer Off and then On, and when 1/8 displays below the HP logo on the control panel, touch the logo.

3. 3.

   Scroll to and select Administrator.

   

   NOTE:To scroll on the control panel, use the touch screen scrollbar or the up/down arrow buttons. If indicated on the touchscreen, you will need to use the 3 (up) and 9 (down) keys on the control panel to scroll.

4. 4.

   Scroll to and select Download.

5. 5.

   Insert the USB flash drive with the .bdl file on it into the USB port on the front of the printer (remove the seal if necessary).

   

   NOTE:If the message No USB Thumbdrive Files Found displays on the control panel, make sure the .bdl file is saved to the main directory and is not inside a folder. If the message persists, try using a different USB flash drive.

6. 6.

   Scroll to and select USB Thumbdrive.

7. 7.

   Select the .bdl file, select OK or the 6 key, and then wait for the update process to complete.

   

   NOTE:If there is more than one .bdl file on the storage device, make sure to scroll to and select the correct file for the printer and firmware version.

8. 8.

   When Complete displays on the control panel, select the back arrow until Continue displays, select Continue, and then wait for the printer to automatically reboot.

9. 9.

   After the printer is back online, print a Configuration Page and verify that the new firmware version is installed.