- Printers
- Laser printer
98.XX.YY
HP 98.XX.YY on LaserJet Enterprise laser printer: firmware error
Risk level
Medium
Proceed carefully and stop if the check is unclear.
Urgency
High
Quick answer
A 98.XX.YY on your HP LaserJet Enterprise or Managed printer is an internal firmware error in the disk Partition Manager. Turn it off and on; if it stays, the admin should use the Preboot menu and reload the firmware, or leave it to HP, since Format Disk wipes the drive.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Do not open the printer to reach the disk or remove screwed covers; the official procedure runs only from the control panel and firmware.
- Format Disk in the Preboot menu completely wipes the internal disk, including the operating system, firmware and third-party files; do not use it without the administrator's approval.
Safe checks you can perform
- Record the full 98 sub code
- Restart the LaserJet at its power switch
- Prepare the firmware reload
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Disk format or erase by HP or the administrator
- Do not attempt this professional task: Storage diagnosis if the 98 keeps returning
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
Disk format or erase by HP or the administrator
What they doIf you are not comfortable running Format Disk or Erase and Unlock from the Preboot menu, let HP support carry out the procedure and reload the firmware.
They must show youthe 98 sub code it arrived with, the installed firmware version and a final configuration page.
In writingwhich Preboot function was used, the firmware version loaded and the case number.
Storage diagnosis if the 98 keeps returning
What they doIf the error survives the format and firmware reload, ask HP authorised service to examine the printer's internal storage.
They must show youthe event log with the repeated 98 entries and a test print after the repair.
In writingthe part replaced and why, the warranty or contract covering it and the case number.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Record the full 98 sub code
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- copy the whole code on the control panel (98.00, 98.01, 98.02 or 98.03 plus its digits), since HP gives different steps for 98.00 than for the others.
- Result that matters:
- knowing which variant you have and which procedure applies.
- If it is 98.00.YY:
- the next official step involves Format Disk.
- If it is 98.01, 98.02 or 98.03:
- the next official step is Erase and Unlock.
- Evidence to keep:
- photo of the panel with the code readable.
Evidence: HP LaserJet Enterprise, HP LaserJet Managed - 98.XX.YY Errors · Impresoras HP LaserJet Enterprise, Color LaserJet Enterprise y MFP Enterprise - Errores 98.XX.YY
Restart the LaserJet at its power switch
- Who:
- you.
- How:
- switch the printer off at its power switch, let it shut down fully, then turn it on and wait for startup to finish before sending jobs.
- Result that matters:
- seeing whether a clean boot clears the error.
- If it starts without the 98:
- log the day of the fault in case it returns.
- If the code returns:
- tell the printer administrator before touching the Preboot menu.
- Evidence to keep:
- time of the restart and whether the code reappeared.
Evidence: HP LaserJet Enterprise, HP LaserJet Managed - 98.XX.YY Errors · Impresoras HP LaserJet Enterprise, Color LaserJet Enterprise y MFP Enterprise - Errores 98.XX.YY
Prepare the firmware reload
- Who:
- the printer's IT administrator.
- How:
- download the firmware for your model from HP and follow the official guide for updating by USB flash drive or the Embedded Web Server (EWS), which HP links as the final step.
- Result that matters:
- having the right firmware ready to restore after the Preboot functions.
- If the firmware loads and the printer boots:
- print a configuration page.
- If it will not load or the error comes back:
- hand the case to HP support.
- Evidence to keep:
- firmware version loaded and the printed configuration page.
Only the administrator should operate the Preboot menu.
Evidence: HP LaserJet Enterprise, HP LaserJet Managed - 98.XX.YY Errors · Impresoras HP LaserJet Enterprise, Color LaserJet Enterprise y MFP Enterprise - Errores 98.XX.YY
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- Printers
- Brand
- HP
- Product type
- Laser printer
Known code variants
- HP 98.00 formatear disco prearranque
- HP 98.00.YY
- HP 98.01.YY
- HP 98.02.YY
- HP 98.03.YY
- HP 98.xx.yy
- HP 98.xx.yy error
- HP error interno de firmware administrador de partición
- HP internal firmware error partition manager
- HP LaserJet Enterprise 98 error
- HP LaserJet Enterprise error 98
- HP LaserJet Managed 98.xx.yy
What it means
HP documents the 98.XX.YY family for LaserJet Enterprise and Managed printers: 98.00 means corrupt data in the Partition Manager, 98.01 that the extended partition could not be created, 98.02 that the Partition Manager could not be wiped and 98.03 a data error inside it. The official fix combines a restart, Preboot menu functions and a firmware reload. The code does not prove the disk has failed, and the procedure can differ by model.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Mediumsource verified
Do not open the printer to reach the disk or remove screwed covers; the official procedure runs only from the control panel and firmware.
Evidence: HP LaserJet Enterprise, HP LaserJet Managed - 98.XX.YY Errors · Impresoras HP LaserJet Enterprise, Color LaserJet Enterprise y MFP Enterprise - Errores 98.XX.YY
- Highsource verified
Format Disk in the Preboot menu completely wipes the internal disk, including the operating system, firmware and third-party files; do not use it without the administrator's approval.
Evidence: HP LaserJet Enterprise, HP LaserJet Managed - 98.XX.YY Errors · Impresoras HP LaserJet Enterprise, Color LaserJet Enterprise y MFP Enterprise - Errores 98.XX.YY
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Corrupt data in the Partition ManagerCommon
Sub code 98.00.YY points to damaged data inside the Partition Manager of the internal storage, according to the HP document.
Evidence: HP LaserJet Enterprise, HP LaserJet Managed - 98.XX.YY Errors · Impresoras HP LaserJet Enterprise, Color LaserJet Enterprise y MFP Enterprise - Errores 98.XX.YY
- Partition could not be created or wipedPossible
Sub codes 98.01.YY and 98.02.YY say the firmware failed to create the extended partition or failed to wipe the Partition Manager.
Evidence: HP LaserJet Enterprise, HP LaserJet Managed - 98.XX.YY Errors · Impresoras HP LaserJet Enterprise, Color LaserJet Enterprise y MFP Enterprise - Errores 98.XX.YY
- Data error inside the Partition ManagerPossible
The 98.03.YY variant flags a data error in the Partition Manager, which HP handles with the same steps as 98.01 and 98.02.
Evidence: HP LaserJet Enterprise, HP LaserJet Managed - 98.XX.YY Errors · Impresoras HP LaserJet Enterprise, Color LaserJet Enterprise y MFP Enterprise - Errores 98.XX.YY
- Firmware that needs reloadingPossible
Every variant ends with reloading the firmware by USB flash drive or the Embedded Web Server, which points to system files that must be restored.
Evidence: HP LaserJet Enterprise, HP LaserJet Managed - 98.XX.YY Errors · Impresoras HP LaserJet Enterprise, Color LaserJet Enterprise y MFP Enterprise - Errores 98.XX.YY
Virtual technician
Does 98.XX.YY still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
HP LaserJet Enterprise, HP LaserJet Managed - 98.XX.YY Errors
HP Support · 2026 · official_doc
- 2
Impresoras HP LaserJet Enterprise, Color LaserJet Enterprise y MFP Enterprise - Errores 98.XX.YY
Soporte HP · 2026 · official_doc
Was this entry useful?