Another printer problem and request from a third party website where by I earn supplemental income answering computer and technology related questions. Generally, I avoid printer problems when it comes to diagnosing printer error codes directly on the physical printer. However, this problem was actually computer related.
Here is the original initial request quoted verbatim below:
“ I have been trying for two days to get my printer to work, will you please help. I just need help, I never had this problem before when I start the print process I get this message, PRINTER ERROR ERROR CODE 0x97. ”
Here is my initial original response:
Are you receiving this error code message on your computer or the physical printer display itself? Also, what computer operating system are you using? For example Apple Macintosh, Microsoft Windows seven, eight, ten, or eleven operating systems, or Linux.
If you have not done so you can power off that Epson printer and then power it back on. Then you will want to restart your computer and see if you can now print successfully. If you have an Epson Work Force 3640 model printer, you may need to update the firmware, in order to fix that error.
You can download the firmware update from this uniform resource locator web page link below:
You will want to install that firmware update once you download it onto your computer. Also, you will want to make sure to not interrupt that installation and to leave your printer on during that installation of the firmware update.
Your computer operating system should be detected automatically. If it is not detected, then you will want to click on a drop down list next to “Operating System”. Then you can choose your correct operating system that is currently installed on your computer.
You will want to look for the “Firmware version…”. For example:
Firmware version CB0912
Then you will need to click on the “Download” button. You can then save this firmware on to your computer. You will want to double click this executable in order to begin the installation.
You can follow the remaining installation prompts. If your Epson printer is successfully detected, that firmware should automatically become update. You will not want to power off that printer during the firmware update installation.
Once that firmware update successfully installs, hopefully you will be able to print successfully again. I would not normally recommend updating printer firmware arbitrarily. However, I found out that updating the firmware for an Epson 3640 printer cleared this 0x97 error code.
Updating the firmware on any device can seem like a daunting task, the first time you try to perform this activity. You will want to make certain that you never power off the device while the firmware is being updated. Firmware is permanent software loaded into the read only memory for hardware devices.
Many hardware devices are designed to allow for firmware updates. Luckily, printers are one of these types of devices that allow for the upgrade of firmware. Like I stipulated earlier in this blog post, I have an if it is not broke then do not fix it mentality.
I only recommend updating firmware when absolutely necessary. A failed firmware update can leave a hardware device bricked and useless. Firmware updates are similar to flashing the basic input output system of a computer system.
Another tip is to make certain you are using a firmware update for the exact device that you are upgrading. Obviously you could not update the firmware on a Google Android smartphone with an Epson 3640 firmware update. However, when it comes to similar device brands and models, this can turn into a bit of a grey area.
To me it is best to become cautious and double check that indeed the firmware update that you are about to install is supported by the exact device you are updating. Once you have a few firmware upgrades under your belt you will become more proficient with them. Verifying the exact hardware device or in this case the exact Epson printer model can help reduce the chances of potentially permanently damaging the firmware already installed.