Consequences and precautions to consider before deciding to downgrade firmware

To enhance device security, firmware downgrade is no longer allowed beginning with firmware versions xxxxx.230.001 and LW90.xx.P001
. If you have questions about this, please contact Lexmark Technical Support for further assistance.

Side effects of downgrading firmware

Downgrading or reverting firmware levels is not advised. Many reasons exist, for example:

Downgrading firmware from FW4...	To a lower level, such as FW3...	Results in...
CXTPP.040.072a	PP.0 3 x.yyy	Loss of installed non-native apps Cleared configuration settings for built-in apps Possible loss of certain functionality Other unanticipated messages and errors

Considerations

Do not downgrade firmware just because another device with lower firmware is working correctly. Escalate all issues with Lexmark’s Technical Support team before deciding to downgrade firmware.

You may have a PE-released version of firmware, and this version may be more current than what is available on support.lexmark.com
or Lexmark Cloud Services
. Always check the firmware levels found under Device information.

It may not be possible to downgrade the code. Refer to “Unable to downgrade code” for more information about this topic

If using the ESF config tool
to deploy/configure apps, do not
select the “install the firmware first
" option unless you are certain the existing firmware
on the device is outdated
.

Device recovery

Do not downgrade firmware, since returning the device's full complement of features and functionality requires a multi-step process
and likely requires contacting the solutions support team.

Downgrading firmware

If necessary, and only as a last resort, if you are required to downgrade firmware, then you must follow this pre-list and summary of steps to recover the existing solution (apps) and configuration settings.

Before you begin

Create a list of all apps that are not pre-installed at the factory.

Capture all configuration settings for apps, e-mail, fax, copy, print, network, and security functions.

Capture all user-defined shortcuts, profiles, and destinations.

Downgrade firmware to the previous EC revision of firmware.

Clear the cache in the browser used to access the Embedded Web Server (EWS) page of the printer.

After the printer returns to a ‘Ready’
state, access the printer EWS; for example, http://printer's_IP_address.

Navigate to Device
> Maintenance
.

Select the following under Erase Printer Memory
options:

Sanitize all information on non-volatile memory.

Start the initial setup wizard.

Erase all printer and network settings.

Erase all apps and app settings.

Erase all shortcuts and shortcut settings.

Click Start
.

Reinstalling and activating apps

Upon completion, follow the steps in the setup wizard. Reacquire and reinstall all lost apps, licenses, certificates, and reconfigure all user-defined settings.

You need apps specific to your code level since apps are code-level dependent.

Firmware nomenclature

Firmware level	Settings page (Base)	Description
Firmware 4‑8	CXTPP.073.042a	Offers better delineation of models: Prefix C = Color M = Mono X = MFP S = SFP T = Touch N = Non-touch PP [CB, ATL, YK, MH] = Model ID .073 FW7.3 7 = Major release 3 = Minor release .042a Build number .000 – .199 = EC/PE release .200 – .999 = PE release a – delta release
Firmware 3 (FW3)	PP. 03x.yyy	PP – Model ID 03 – Major FW 3 release. x – Level-3 delta. yyy – Numeric build-level value.

Device information

Reports

Device

Device Information

for CXTZJ.076.301

Base code level can also be found at EWS
> Status
.

LEGACY ID: SO8017