HP LaserJet, HP PageWide - 49 Error Displays On the Control Panel

Issue

Cause

Solution

Issue

A 49.WX.YZ error message displays on the control panel of an HP LaserJet Enterprise or HP PageWide Enterprise printer with HP FutureSmart firmware, where 49 indicates a firmware communication error, and W, X, Y, and Z are variable values.

note:
HP extensively tests printer firmware before release to reduce the occurrence of 49 errors. Typical end users will rarely encounter one.

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.

Cause

A 49 error typically occurs when the printer attempts to perform an action that the firmware is not capable of performing or might not be designed to handle, for example:

Printing files that include unsupported printer commands
Interfacing with a third-party solution that was not designed to work with the printer
Timing, network traffic, or concurrent processing of jobs in a specific environment

Solution

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

Intermittent 49 Errors

If a 49 error displays on the control panel but can be cleared after turning the printer off and then on, perform these steps in the order presented. If the error does not clear, see Persistent 49 Errors.

Step one: Check the firmware version and update if needed

If turning the printer off, and then on cleared the 49 error, follow this step to help prevent future occurrences.

note:
HP resolves known errors in firmware and always recommends updating the firmware to the latest available version to prevent these errors and take advantage of the latest changes.

Print a Configuration page and determine whether the printer is running FutureSmart 3 or FutureSmart 4.
Go to www.hp.com/go/FutureSmart and click Upgrade Now to view a list of printers and the latest firmware versions.
Compare the latest version available with the version installed on the printer.
If a newer version is available, click the link to redirect to the firmware download page on HP.com.
Scroll to either the FutureSmart 3 or FutureSmart 4 section, find the FIRMWARE file, click Download, click Save As, and then save it to a USB flash drive or a location on the PC.

note:
To view the latest enhancements, fixes, and other helpful information, you can also download the Readme file.
Select Open folder or browse to the location where you saved the file, right-click the .zip file, and then extract all files.
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.
Update the firmware from the Maintenance menu on either the control panel using a USB flash drive or in the Embedded Web Server.
- FutureSmart 3: From the Home screen on the printer control panel, scroll to and select Device Maintenance, and then select USB Firmware Upgrade.
- FutureSmart 4: From the Home screen on the printer control panel, select Support Tools, select Maintenance, and then select USB Firmware Upgrade.
  
  For more detailed instructions, go to Update firmware using a USB flash drive or the Embedded Web Server (EWS).
Wait for the update process to complete and for the printer to automatically reboot.
After the printer is back online, print a Configuration Page and verify that the new firmware version is installed.

If the error does not reoccur, there is no need to continue troubleshooting. Updating the firmware solves most 49 errors.
If 49 errors continue to occur intermittently, contact HP Support.

Persistent 49 Errors

If the 49 error will not clear from the control panel, perform these steps in the order presented. If at any time the step clears the error, you do not need to continue troubleshooting.

Step one: Browse for a help document specific to the error and printer

Browse the internet for the specific 49 error code that displays on the control panel of that printer model.
If no solution is found, continue troubleshooting.

Step two: Check the power connections

If you are using a surge protector, remove it.
Plug the printer directly into the power outlet.
If the error persists, continue troubleshooting.

Step three: Check the printer connections

Test the printer cables.
1. Turn the printer off.
2. Disconnect and reconnect the cable connections.
3. Turn the printer on.
4. If the error persists, continue troubleshooting.
Test the fax and network cable connections.
1. Disconnect the network cable, USB cable, and fax cable from the printer.
2. Turn the printer power off, and then on.
3. Reconnect the fax cable and try to print.
4. Disable any Network software that is querying the printer for information across the network.
5. Reconnect the network cable and check the network connections.
  - If this solves the error, re-enable the network software. If the error returns with the network software enabled, contact the network administrator.
  - If the network connections and/or software are not causing the error and the error persists, continue troubleshooting.
Test the accessory connections.
1. Turn the printer power off, and then on.
2. Power off and disconnect any external accessories, fax cards, and third-party USB drives.
3. If this clears the error, reconnect each component one at a time, and then print a Configuration page after each component is replaced.
4. If the error reoccurs after reconnecting one of the components, replace the component.
  
  note:
  If the failure occurred with an accessory or a third-party component, contact the vendor for a replacement or help in identifying the failure.

If this solves the error, there is no need to continue troubleshooting.
If the error persists, continue troubleshooting.

Step four: Update the firmware from the Preboot menu using a USB flash drive

Print a Configuration page and determine whether the printer is running FutureSmart 3 or FutureSmart 4.
Go to www.hp.com/go/FutureSmart and click Upgrade Now to view a list of printers and the latest firmware versions.
Find the printer model and click the link to redirect to the firmware download page on HP.com.
Scroll to either the FutureSmart 3 or FutureSmart 4 section.
Find the FIRMWARE file, click Download, click Save As, and then save it to a USB flash drive.

note:
To view the latest enhancements, fixes, and other helpful information, you can also download the Readme file.
Select Open folder or browse to the location where you saved the file, right-click the .zip file, and then extract all files.
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.
Update the firmware from the Preboot menu on the control panel.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Scroll to and select Download.
4. 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.
5. Scroll to and select USB Thumbdrive.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. After the printer is back online, print a Configuration Page and verify that the new firmware version is installed.
Wait for the update process to complete and for the printer to automatically reboot.
After the printer is back online, print a Configuration Page and verify that the new firmware version is installed.

For more detailed instructions, go to Update firmware using a USB flash drive or the Embedded Web Server (EWS).

If this solves the error, there is no need to continue troubleshooting.
If the error persists, it's likely due to a custom setting that is not compatible with the firmware. Contact HP support for help with advanced troubleshooting.

HP LaserJet, HP PageWide - 49 Error Displays On the Control Panel

Issue

Cause

Solution

Intermittent 49 Errors

Step one: Check the firmware version and update if needed

Persistent 49 Errors

Step one: Browse for a help document specific to the error and printer

Step two: Check the power connections

Step three: Check the printer connections

Step four: Update the firmware from the Preboot menu using a USB flash drive

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