HP LaserJet Printer Stuck on Initializing

Posted by Vinay Patel | Jan 21, 2014 | Extra Room | 64 |

Here is what happen to my HP LaserJet Printer Stuck on Initializing (My Model is 1213nf MFP), After latest update of Firmware to HP Printer it was started.

What was noticed is

1. Initially when it starts initializing, the scanner head moves to scan area instead of standby position , on every initialization it moves either left or right. When it back to home position my printer works OK.

2. Another thing was noticed was, if I unplug my network cable my printer works OK.

To avoid initialization what I did was :

Unplug network cable, printer USB cable, power cable and wait for 30 seconds.
Plug back power cable.
Power on the printer and hit Copy And X (Cancel button above copy button) until it says permanent storage initialize.
OR
Power on the printer and hit Right Arrow And X (Cancel button above copy button) until it says permanent storage initialize.
Download the latest firmware and apply it (Use USB Cable, DO NOT TRY IT OVER NETWORK TO UPDATE FIRMWARE)
If your Router does not support ipv6 : disable ipv6 in your printer (This works in my case.)

Happy Troubleshooting for HP LaserJet Printer Stuck on Initializing!!

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About The Author

Vinay Patel

I’m not a tech-savvy, But doing this for my future reference. This might just help someone out there who might have encountered the same thing as i did. Thanks for visiting my site - Vinay Patel

64 Comments

BrianT on January 28, 2014 at 6:50 AM

Mr Patel, you are a star!

I had the same problem and spent several hours tearing my hair out until I found your solution. It worked like a bought one, as they say.
- Vinay Patel on January 28, 2014 at 7:03 AM
  
  Great to hear that it does help you out 🙂 !!
  
  Thanks
  Vinay
harish on January 28, 2014 at 12:33 PM

I have the same problem with hp lj 1213 nf of intializing acc to your advise i did it but all waste
issue is same

I think there is issue with formater card.
- Vinay Patel on January 28, 2014 at 12:46 PM
  
  Can you be specific when you press copy/Cancel : where is position of your scanner head ? and what you see on your screen ?
raakesh soni on May 29, 2015 at 11:57 AM

do u have adjustment tools for epson printers
LeeB on August 13, 2015 at 1:16 AM

Per your instructions above, I can get the printer to the perm storage initialize mode, then it askes for the language, which shows english, I push ok, it askes country, I push ok for USA & then it goes back into initializing mode….argh. Help!
- Vinay Patel on August 16, 2015 at 5:25 PM
  
  Can you just check location of your scanner head ?. it should reset back to home , if not keep resetting until it be back to home position
- Ram on September 6, 2020 at 6:36 AM
  
  Dear LeeB, I am also having the same problem, Mr. Vinay & LeeB There is any solution to rectify this.
Jennifer on June 7, 2016 at 1:15 PM

Hi, I have an Hp Laserjet M1217 and I’ve tried the press and hold buttons, the message permanent storage does appear yet afterwards it goes back to initializing. anything else i can do?
- Vinay Patel on June 15, 2016 at 6:35 AM
  
  You might need to reset the printer again that will make it back to working stage , make sure you apply the latest firmware from official site.
Smoke on June 15, 2016 at 3:41 PM

A solution i found was to disconnect the fax board from inside the printer. At least worked as printer and copier. Nothing else worked
- Vinay Patel on June 17, 2016 at 1:13 PM
  
  Thanks for your valuable feedback!
Fred on September 19, 2016 at 3:50 PM

I found that by powering down, taking the toner cartridge out FIRST, and THEN doing the Storage Initialize, I was able to get the printer reachable by the USB cable to install the latest software update successfully. After that I was able to regain use of the printer. I did have one problem after the update which I solved by unplugging the USB cable — which makes no sense since I just used that cable to update the printer software — but hey — it worked! The latest drivers can be downloaded at support.hp.com. I had to grab an old Windows PC and was able to get the software update loaded. Also keep in mind that if you are on a network you can go to the IP address of the printer to reach its configuration page. Good Luck!
- Vinay Patel on October 22, 2016 at 6:24 AM
  
  Thanks for valuable inputs, it might help others 🙂
  
  Thanks
  Vinay
- JOSE on December 1, 2021 at 4:04 PM
  
  THIS WAS VERY USEFUL! THANK YOU SIR FRED.
  STAY BLESSED
Devasis on October 18, 2016 at 7:35 AM

Dear Vinay,
I own a hp M1005 MFP same issue it stucks on initializing, but it scans & prints from PC but not from the control panel of the printer, also updated the firmware from the above method but all in vain. plz help…
- Vinay Patel on October 22, 2016 at 6:22 AM
  
  Please look up comment from Fred , that might help you.
  
  here is copy for you
  “I found that by powering down, taking the toner cartridge out FIRST, and THEN doing the Storage Initialize, I was able to get the printer reachable by the USB cable to install the latest software update successfully. After that I was able to regain use of the printer. I did have one problem after the update which I solved by unplugging the USB cable — which makes no sense since I just used that cable to update the printer software — but hey — it worked! The latest drivers can be downloaded at support.hp.com. I had to grab an old Windows PC and was able to get the software update loaded. Also keep in mind that if you are on a network you can go to the IP address of the printer to reach its configuration page. Good Luck!”
  
  Thanks
  Vinay
David on November 29, 2016 at 5:00 PM

After surveying numerous sites for a solution, your first option worked for me. Very grateful. I stress to other users be sure to disconnect the USB cable as even if not connected to a PC that small difference seemed to be key. Again, thanks.
- Vinay Patel on November 29, 2016 at 5:06 PM
  
  I am glad it worked out for you ? !
Yun on December 18, 2016 at 4:34 PM

Thank you, Its back to life!
- Vinay Patel on December 23, 2016 at 1:45 PM
  
  Great to hear that it does help you out ? !!
  
  Thanks
  Vinay
Liz J on January 1, 2017 at 6:26 PM

This happened a couple years ago and couldn’t remember what I did. This time I found your advice. Step 1 worked right away! Thanks so much!
- Vinay Patel on January 12, 2017 at 5:23 PM
  
  Great to hear that it does help you out ? !!
  
  Thanks
  Vinay
Thomas Bro on January 2, 2017 at 3:14 PM

Thanks for the advice. After trying many other things you procedure worked great. Of course resetting everything required setup to the network. This is a lot less expensive than buying a new printer. Thanks,
- Vinay Patel on January 12, 2017 at 5:23 PM
  
  Great to hear that it does help you out ? !!
  
  Thanks
  Vinay
Susan on January 29, 2017 at 1:02 AM

None of these worked for me, and I was so hopeful since I accidentally ran the firmware upgrade this morning which created the loop. I had called HP (which is never helpful) and they even gave me the wrong instructions for getting to permanent storage. It is arrow and cancel, not cancel and copy.

I tried the instructions above where the toner is removed (tried with top open and top closed), but the loop resets after seconds, so I can’t start the USB firmware update again (program crashes) or even get past choosing country. I had also tried to get to factory reset, but as soon as I get there, the loop resets.

How does anyone get enough time to actually start a process?
- Vinay Patel on January 29, 2017 at 5:03 AM
  
  You can do is disconnect power for 30 seconds, and press copy button couple of time then connect power source back and start from Step 3
  
  That will break your loop
  
  Thanks
  Vinay
  - Susan on January 29, 2017 at 5:31 AM
    
    Thanks, but that doesn’t change anything. I have the loop that a few people show on youtube where the green light comes on, then it says Initializing and the amber blinks, then the words disappear, the amber blinks a few more times, then the toner light blinks with them once, and the whole thing resets and starts over.
    
    Unplugged and pressing the copy button a few times did nothing. I also pressed the right arrow a few times while unplugged. Then I plugged in and pressed the arrow and cancel buttons before turning on. Then the permanent storage text showed. I let go of the buttons. Then that text disappeared and the loop started again. This time, I was able to select language and country (I think) before the initializing text took over, disappeared and the looping started.
    
    I can’t figure out how people got the loop to stop long enough to reset the printer. My loop never seems to stop.
Susan on January 29, 2017 at 5:30 AM

Thanks, but that doesn’t change anything. I have the loop that a few people show on youtube where the green light comes on, then it says Initializing and the amber blinks, then the words disappear, the amber blinks a few more times, then the toner light blinks with them once, and the whole thing resets and starts over.

Unplugged and pressing the copy button a few times did nothing. I also pressed the right arrow a few times while unplugged. Then I plugged in and pressed the arrow and cancel buttons before turning on. Then the permanent storage text showed. I let go of the buttons. Then that text disappeared and the loop started again. This time, I was able to select language and country (I think) before the initializing text took over, disappeared and the looping started.

I can’t figure out how people got the loop to stop long enough to reset the printer. My loop never seems to stop.
Susan on January 29, 2017 at 2:17 PM

Hi. My followup wasn’t there, and then it was (duplicated), and now it is gone again. Did you have more advice on how to stop the loop since that didn’t work? I had been describing what my printer does. Thanks.
- Hungbeme Kola on August 9, 2019 at 1:13 AM
  
  Hi Sasan/ Vinaj,
  pls kindly share with me the solution your this mfp521 problem. I;m experiencing the same problem like Susan’s.
- Hungbeme Kola on August 9, 2019 at 1:13 AM
  
  Hi Sasan/ Vinaj,
  pls kindly share with me the solution your this mfp521 problem. I;m experiencing the same problem like Susan’s.
  - Vinay Patel on August 17, 2019 at 12:09 PM
    
    Can you tell me what exactly happening when you follow steps ?
    
    Thanks
    Vinay
shubham nagar on April 12, 2017 at 4:03 AM

dear sir i tired to do this steps but i can’t solve my problem please do something and
tell me how can i solve this problem please
- Vinay Patel on April 20, 2017 at 7:32 AM
  
  Can you tell me what exactly happening when you follow steps ?
  
  Thanks
  Vinay
Phil on May 26, 2017 at 8:43 AM

Many thanks worked a treat!
- Vinay Patel on June 1, 2017 at 4:46 PM
  
  Great 🙂
  
  Thanks
  Vinay
Ioan Porumb on July 27, 2017 at 10:43 PM

unmount and cleaning exposure glass . Is working
satish Sonker on July 28, 2017 at 12:12 PM

My printer all time show initializing plz help
- satish Sonker on July 28, 2017 at 12:15 PM
  
  Sir plz help me my printer is
  hp m1005
- Vinay Patel on July 30, 2017 at 6:26 AM
  
  Hi
  
  Did you tried the steps ? , it mostly works on all HP Series
  
  Thanks
  Vinay
roshan on July 31, 2017 at 2:30 PM

Hey sir when i am starting my printer it starts with normal sound for 3 to 4 minutes and then it shows initializing on the screen and after that it doesn’t work…..
I followed your steps when I press the right side key and X key together then the screen shows permanent storage initialize and then immediately it shows that language and location and when I connect printer to computer and use the frimware of hp laserjet m1005 it ask for select the printer after sending the frimware an error occurred and it asks to close it …..
This type of error is happening please help me sir….
Sumanta Das on August 13, 2017 at 5:12 PM

I have one HP LaserJet M1005MFP Printer. These giving message Initializing…. Pl. give some solution.
Ram singh Shekhawat on September 1, 2017 at 5:10 AM

sir, when i start my printer i.e HP Laser jet M1005 MFP , it goes on Initializing . no effect is going on it
i use your above strategy , so plz give me some solution .
ratheesh on September 18, 2017 at 6:52 AM

dear sir,

i reached this Step 3: Power on the printer and hit Copy And X (Cancel button above copy button) until it says permanent storage initialize.
after its stuck up in language selection ,or location selection .please help me
- Vinay Patel on September 21, 2017 at 8:35 AM
  
  Did you performed steps mention in OR step 3 ?
  
  Thanks
  Vinay
Mohit on October 3, 2017 at 9:19 PM

Sir i have m226dw printer
my printer is not initilized there is an hardware problem how can i fix it
And also the laser scanner in this printer is work properly
- Vinay Patel on October 7, 2017 at 6:45 AM
  
  Did you performed steps mention ?
  
  Thanks
  Vinay
prrm on November 7, 2017 at 5:48 AM

i have a hp 1005 mfp. permanent storage inti show on display. plz help me hiw to resolve
- Vinay Patel on September 28, 2020 at 7:35 AM
  
  Can you try reset as per steps mentioned ?
Sandeep sharma on March 16, 2018 at 3:13 PM

Thank you sir. It worked. I appreciate your guidance and being thankful your guidance. I had spent so many hours over this now after using solution given by u it’s working. Thanks once again.
- Vinay Patel on March 16, 2018 at 3:33 PM
  
  Great to hear that! 🙂
  
  Good luck.
CHETANYA on December 2, 2019 at 3:01 AM

Thanks a lot. Worked like a charm. I had a M1005 MFP. It was stuck at “Initaliziang…”. Just pressed right key and cancel button on the printer(as you suggested) and voila.
- Vinay Patel on January 4, 2020 at 9:16 AM
  
  Great to hear that! ?
  
  Good luck.
sajeev on February 12, 2020 at 6:00 AM

hai boss good morning

my printer hp color laser jet MFP 277n my prolem is printer didnot working main thinks power on or off not possible to off or on direct and showing on screen initializing what can do please help me
- Vinay Patel on February 17, 2020 at 1:39 PM
  
  Try the steps couple of times what I have mentioned It works for most of HP printers !
  
  Good Luck
suresh on August 28, 2020 at 7:18 AM

hi Sir,
I have HP Officejet Pro X476dw MFP Printer.i have facing a problem when printer is power on.the display showing initialising setup…only.Long time wait but the screen still same.Can u please advise me
Thanks
- Vinay Patel on September 28, 2020 at 7:35 AM
  
  Please look up comment from Fred , that might help you.
  
  here is copy for you
  “I found that by powering down, taking the toner cartridge out FIRST, and THEN doing the Storage Initialize, I was able to get the printer reachable by the USB cable to install the latest software update successfully. After that I was able to regain use of the printer. I did have one problem after the update which I solved by unplugging the USB cable — which makes no sense since I just used that cable to update the printer software — but hey — it worked! The latest drivers can be downloaded at support.hp.com. I had to grab an old Windows PC and was able to get the software update loaded. Also keep in mind that if you are on a network you can go to the IP address of the printer to reach its configuration page. Good Luck!”
  
  Thanks
  Vinay
Brazer dega on September 7, 2020 at 11:05 AM

I have HP Laser Jet Pro MFP M225dn
When I turn on the printer on the display I see : Hewlett-Packard
for around 15 seconds
After that I can hear the mechanisms working inside the printer for around 5 seconds .
After that on the display I see : initializing…
and I can not do anythinge else after that .

At all of my next trys I remove the power cable for more than 60 second and the pinter was not connected with USB or network cable .

I tried to power up the printer and right after that to press and hold at the same time Copy and X buttons will I on the display I see : initializing and again the printer again do not contiue .

I tryed the same with the right arow and X and the result was the same .

I tryed to remove the cartridge and to power on the printer . In that case on the display I get the message : Door open . I close the carttrige door (one time with the cartridge and one without it) , but in both cases the message Door open do not disapire and the printer is freezing in the same way as initializing… The only difference then is that I can see the scanner to move few centimeters to left and after that to right till it is positioned again on home position .

I tryed all of those from above fore tahn two times each .
- Vinay Patel on September 28, 2020 at 7:35 AM
  
  Please look up comment from Fred , that might help you.
  
  here is copy for you
  “I found that by powering down, taking the toner cartridge out FIRST, and THEN doing the Storage Initialize, I was able to get the printer reachable by the USB cable to install the latest software update successfully. After that I was able to regain use of the printer. I did have one problem after the update which I solved by unplugging the USB cable — which makes no sense since I just used that cable to update the printer software — but hey — it worked! The latest drivers can be downloaded at support.hp.com. I had to grab an old Windows PC and was able to get the software update loaded. Also keep in mind that if you are on a network you can go to the IP address of the printer to reach its configuration page. Good Luck!”
  
  Thanks
  Vinay
sajid on October 2, 2020 at 12:17 PM

Number 3 is worked for me
- Vinay Patel on January 17, 2021 at 1:43 AM
  
  Great to hear that !
arun gauta on November 19, 2020 at 9:31 AM

i have laser jet 128fw printer has been stucked on initializing mode only scanning is working but printing and copy not working
- Vinay Patel on January 17, 2021 at 1:43 AM
  
  Did you tried resetting your printer / upgrade to latest firmware ?

About Vinay Patel

I’m not a tech savvy, But doing this for my future reference. This might just help someone out there who might have encountered the same thing as i did.

Thanks for visiting my site

- Vinay Patel