HP LaserJet Pro M401n issue with 10.10.2

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Level 1

127 points

HP LaserJet Pro M401n issue with 10.10.2

LaserJet Pro 400 M401n, purchased 10/23/14 and has worked with 10.10.x, connected by USB to MBP (currently with 10.10.2).

LJ M401n has worked with 10.10.x until 3/26/15, when after completing a print job and immediately attempting another print job, I began seeing an error message “79 Service Error Turn Off Turn On” in the printer display.

When again attempting a print job from my MBP, I see the print job being sent to the printer (blinking green light on the printer) and then after a few seconds, the red error light (on the printer) comes on (displaying the error message) and the printer goes into an auto restart (causing the print job to pause). Once the printer restart completes, the print job remains paused; when resumed, the print job does not complete as another “79 Service Error” message occurs.

The LJ M401n remains correctly shown as my Default Printer in Yosemite Sys Pref Printers & Scanners.

From the HP Utility, I can successfully print a Test page as well as a Configuration Report. (Since I can print these test pages, I believe the USB cable, connecting the printer to my MBP, is Ok.)

Looking at other Settings within the HP Utility, everything looks normal. I’ve even compared a newly printed, Configuration Report to one I printed the day I purchased the printer, and all the details are the same, except the Total Impressions (which appears to be correctly keeping count).

I’ve attempted re-installing the HP Drivers 3.0 (from Apple’s web site), which did not achieve any change from what I’ve described above.

Any ideas as to what’s causing the “79 Service Error Turn Off Turn On” error?

(I've posted this same inquiry at HP's Support Forum; so if I get a resolution reply over there, I'll post here to help others.)

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.2), MBP i7 17, iPhone 6, iPadAir 2

Posted on Mar 28, 2015 11:12 AM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Mar 28, 2015 11:16 AM in response to pbGuy

Since your printer is not an Apple product, this is not the best place to ask. Try the HP tech support pages. The printer should still be in warranty, so you might also call HP tech support or the vendor from whom you purchased the printer.

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Answer 2

pmiles

Level 6

16,012 points

Mar 28, 2015 11:21 AM in response to pbGuy

Have you reset the printing system?

OS X Yosemite: Reset the printing system

I suggest dumping any existing print jobs in the queue and completely power down the printer before reseting the printing system (you will have to turn the printer back on in order to add the printer back).

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Answer 3

pbGuy Author

Level 1

127 points

Mar 28, 2015 4:54 PM in response to Kappy

** Kappy, I understand I'm posting about an HP Printer, but this Apple Discussions' section is about OS X Yosemite and printers; and as others may have experienced the same issue, I thought it reasonable to post here seeking a resolution. (Please note I did previously mention I'd also posted at HP's Forum.) ...The printer was purchased at Staples; so, I don't expect much help from them. I think posting in this forum, as well as HP's, might achieve quicker results which others might also benefit.

** pmiles, I have done a "Reset the printing system," but issue subsequently remains. I've even deleted the printer from Printers (before reinstalling the HP Drivers 3.0), and added the LJ M401n back afterwards; no success. Each subsequent time I've gotten the 79 Service Error, I deleted the prior print job before initiating a new one. When the printer goes into the 79 Service Error, the printer does an automatic shutdown and restart. After the printer completes the auto-restart, it again shows in my Printers, but just needs to be Resumed.

___

However, I can provide more details that could provide further insight about this 79 Service Error issue:

I’ve now found that various, doc types (Text rtf, Pages doc, PNG & JPEG pictures) can be printed. PDFs, via Preview, can also be printed as long as the PDF is not generated from a Safari web page. PDFs saved from Safari (regardless of resulting PDF not being a large file - less than 2MB - and even though the LJ M401n has 128MB of memory) are causing the printer to result in the 79 Service Error. As of this writing, I’ve not tested more than a handful of doc types; but, it appears the printer (or possibly, the HP’s printer drivers) is having issue with Safari’s PDF formatting. (I've posted these additional details at HP Forum.)

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Answer 4

pbGuy Author

Level 1

127 points

Apr 7, 2015 12:51 PM in response to pbGuy

I’ve now been able to test the same problematic, Safari PDF docs on an LJ M401dw which has 256MB of memory (183.37MB free). And, these docs now print (even 2-sided).

So, this issue appears to be a result of low, available memory in the LJ M401n which has 128MB installed (62.62MB free). HP’s Printer Drivers 3.0 appear to be fine.

Since the issue was with Safari Saved PDFs, and not PDFs or other doc formats in general, the workaround for this issue is fairly simple - just don't attempt printing Safari Saved PDFs - and not a big deal. ...If one plans on doing a lot of that type of Safari generated PDF printing, then purchasing an LJ M041dw, or some other similarly memory-installed spec, is the solution.

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