HP error 49.4C02 (LaserJet firmware communication error)
49.4C02 is a firmware error on HP LaserJet printers that means the formatter's firmware hit an exception it could not recover from, typically while processing a print job. The printer stops and asks you to turn it off and on. The job that triggered it is usually the cause, such as a corrupt PDF, a font the interpreter could not handle, or a driver sending malformed PCL or PostScript.
What causes it
- A specific print job with corrupt data or an unusual font or image
- Outdated printer firmware with known 49 errors
- A problematic or mismatched print driver on the computer
- Network traffic hitting the printer with invalid data, such as a rogue discovery service
- A failing DIMM or memory module, or a faulty formatter board
How to fix it, in order
Work down the list and stop when the printer recovers. The steps are ordered from most likely and least invasive to last resort.
Turn the printer off, wait, and turn it on
Power off with the switch, wait 30 seconds, and power on. If the error appeared during a job, the same job will try to print again from the computer's queue and may trigger it again, so pause the queue before restarting.
Clear the print queue on every computer
On each PC that prints to the device, open the printer queue and cancel all documents. Cancel any jobs held on the printer itself. Then print a simple test page from the control panel to confirm the printer is healthy.
Identify the triggering document
If the error returns when a particular file is printed, open that file in a different application or print it as an image (Adobe Reader's Print as Image option) so that the complex content is rasterised on the computer.
Update the firmware
Download the latest firmware for your exact model from HP and install it through the embedded web server or by sending the .rfu file. HP's firmware release notes for LaserJet models list many 49.4C02 fixes.
Switch or reinstall the driver
Install the HP PCL 6 driver specific to your model, or try the HP Universal Print Driver. If you use PostScript, test with PCL and vice versa. Remove any old driver versions from Print Server Properties on Windows.
Disconnect the network and test
Unplug the network cable and print from USB. If the error stops, something on the network is sending data the printer cannot handle. Disable unused protocols such as IPX, AppleTalk or unused ports in the printer's network settings.
Remove add-on memory and accessories
Turn the printer off, remove any third-party DIMMs, EIO cards or USB accessories and test. A faulty memory module can produce 49 errors during job processing.
Stopping it happening again
When it is not worth fixing yourself
If you would rather not work through this alone, a printer specialist can take a look with you on a screen-share and tell you honestly whether the machine is worth saving.
Frequently asked questions
Does 49.4C02 damage the printer?
No. It is a firmware exception. The printer recovers after a restart, but it will recur if the cause is not found.
What is the difference between 49.4C02 and 49.4C06 or 49.38.07?
All are 49 firmware errors. The sub-code identifies which firmware process failed. 49.4C02 is the classic job-related crash, while 49.38.07 is common on newer LaserJet Pro models and is usually linked to network services or firmware bugs.
Will a cold reset fix 49.4C02?
A cold reset clears stored settings and can help if a configuration setting is involved, but it erases network settings. Try the firmware update and driver changes first.
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