HP Races to Fix Faulty Firmware Update That Bricked Printers

HP is working to fix a buggy firmware update that’s been bricking its Office Jet printers since its release earlier this month.

As BleepingComputer reports(Opens in a new window), HP customers says their printers are displaying blue screens with “83C0000B” errors on the built-in touch screens.

HP did not immediately respond to PCMag’s request for comment, but tells BleepingComputer: “Our teams are working diligently to address the blue screen error affecting a limited number of HP OfficeJet Pro 9020e printers. We are recommending customers experiencing the error to contact our customer support team for assistance: https://support.hp.com(Opens in a new window).”

Due to the fact that the update automatically installs onto printing devices that are connected to the internet, HP customers have also been advised to disable their device’s internet connection and hold out for HP’s to-be-released firmware fix. 

Affected models include HP OfficeJet 902x models, HP OfficeJet Pro 9022e, HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e, HP OfficeJet Pro 9020eAll-in-One, HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e All-in-One Printer. 

As BleepingComputer notes, customers have taken to HP Customer Support threads to voice their frustration with the update.

“HP has no solution at this time. Hidden service menu is not showing, and the printer is not booting anymore. Only a blue screen,” one customer says(Opens in a new window) on one thread. Another adds(Opens in a new window): “I talked to HP Customer Service and they told me they don’t have a solution to fix this firmware issue, at the moment.”

Others complain(Opens in a new window) that the only way to resolve the firmware issue is to send the printer to HP to be serviced and that “the firmware doesn’t even load partially, it instantly fails… HP remotely bricked our devices!” Others say HP will be sending out a replacement.