TIP- How to upgrade Firmware in Formatter of Printer

What is Firmware- It’s a low level program which resides in printer Formatter. Through the firmware the components of formatter are setting linked and it’s communicates with printer Driver which is in their PC.

Why we need to upgrade Firmware – To reduce the compatibility issue with upgraded version of such application we have to upgrade the firmware of the Printer.

Following issue can be faced by user if the Firmware of the printer not upgraded:-

1.) Printer not prints the document ( if this problem persist then first check with the Driver of the printer if the problem persist then upgrade the firmware)
2.) Printer printing the lower version of M/s office and other software application but not printing with higher version application
3.) When not able to set IP address to the printer ( first check with Network cable and and network port and check whether IP conflict issue then check with Firmware)

How to Check Firmware of the Printer –

1.) Printer Firmware can be checked through the configuration page of the printer.
2.) You can check through the EWS page ( for this you have to open internet explorer write FTP:// IP address of the printer then it will open Printer control panel in the PC and you will find one option tab there “Status” in Status you will find option like Configuration page in that you will find Firmware code)

How to Compare Current Firmware with latest Firmware –

• Open HP.com
• Go to Download software and firmware option
• Select Printer then press Go
• Then It show you to select Operating system (Note – In the below it will show you the Firmware file (rfu file) if it’s not available in the below then you have to click on the operating system which you are using in that you can find Firmware (exe file.)
• Click Firmware to open it you will find Firmware code and date so you can compare with it that you are using latest firmware or not.
• If you are not using latest file then save it to desktop by clicking the option Download and rename it abc.rfu if its a Rfu file or name it abc.exe if it is exe file.

Important things to be kept in Mind before up gradation of firmware:-

Note – Two things must be note before to download the firmware other wise it will damage the Formatter.

1) No Power Breakage
2) No Connection Breakage ( The cable connection between Pc and Printer)

[If you have power breakage problem in you site then please go to service center for Firmware up gradation]

There is two kind of Firmware file:-

1. RFU File-
2. EXE File

How to Upgrade Firmware -

• If it is exe file then you just have to download the Firmware from the internet and run it and it will automatically upgrade the firmware to the printer.

Up gradation through rfu file:-

=> Connection required only Parallel cable and N/W

• Parallel--- Go to Start ----Run--- write msconfig--- then go to C promt --- Write [ c:> copy(space)/b(space)Filename with path( Give the path of the file where to saved it )/LPT---then enter --- it will automatically upgrade the Firmware

• N/W---- From NW there is Three ways to upgrade –
1.) EWS 2.) FTP 3.) Jet Direct Card.

1) EWS---- Open internet Explorer ----Write FTP: IP address then enters ----It will show you Port 1Folder with current Firmware of the printer. Then copy the Firmware which you had downloaded from HP site copy the file and Paste it to the Port 1 Folder or drag and drop to this Port 1 Folder. It will upgrade it from 2 to 3 minutes.

2) FTP---Go to start---Run--- Write [ftp(space)IP Address of the printer then enter---it will ask you user name --- if there you have user name and password then mention there if not then enter 3 times ---then it show you ftp:>--- then you have to write As (ftp:>hash) then enter Or [ ftp:>Put(space)C: (filename)] the enter. Then it will upgrade the firmware.

3) Jet Direct Card--- Precautions will be same & connectivity through N/W only. Jet Direct Card automatically upgrade the firmware.

[Precaution - Please read the precaution first in this post before to upgrade firmware in the printer otherwise it will damage the Printer Formatted and the author is not responsible for the same. If you not able to do the up gradation please go to service center of HP or contact HP Customer Care]