: For some models, you might need to copy the firmware file to a USB drive and then use the printer's control panel to update. Refer to your printer's manual for specific instructions.

Safe approach and best practices

The practice of downgrading firmware on the HP OfficeJet 6950

If you can find an older firmware version (e.g., from 2018–2020), you can run it directly from your computer.

In the HP Future Smart architecture, particularly in revisions released post-2017, the printer stores a "minimum firmware version" counter. If a user attempts to load a firmware package older than the minimum version recorded in the printer's secure storage, the printer will reject the update with an error (often "The firmware on this device is newer than the version you are trying to install").

Here’s a step-by-step guide to printer.