HP “68.1 NVRAM Full” — lost settings after power loss? Do a safe cold reset

Joe B.

Expert ★★★★★ 27,853 satisfied customers

Specialities: Windows 11/10, Printers, Networking, Group Policy, Print Servers

Fix HP 68.1 NVRAM Full — cold reset, initialize NVRAM/EEPROM, restore lost settings & network

Technician

Hey! We’ll clear the HP “68.1 NVRAM Full” error and recover your configuration. A few details first: which LaserJet model (Pro/Enterprise/MFP)? Did this appear after a power outage or firmware update? And do you still have a configuration page or notes with the old IP address, trays, paper size/type, and admin PIN?

Customer

It’s a LaserJet Enterprise MFP. The building lost power and now it boots with “68.1 NVRAM Full.” Network settings and tray sizes are gone. I don’t know the old IP.

Technician

Got it. 68.1 NVRAM Full means the printer’s NVRAM/EEPROM (where it stores settings) is corrupted or out of space. It can happen after brownouts, failed boots, or when logs/counters fill up. We’ll do a controlled cold reset (NVRAM init) to rebuild the database, then re-enter TCP/IP, tray configuration, and defaults. Before we reset, we’ll print a configuration page to capture anything still readable.

Customer

It won’t print. Can I still get the config page or do I go straight to the cold reset?

Technician

Step 1 — Try to capture current settings
• From the control panel: Reports → Configuration/Status. If it prints, save the IP, subnet, gateway, DNS, hostname, and tray size/type.
• If the panel is stuck, connect via USB/Ethernet and browse to the Embedded Web Server (EWS) if possible; export settings/addresses.
• If nothing prints/loads, no problem — we’ll rebuild manually after the reset. (Related keywords: backup config, configuration page, EWS export.)

Customer

No config page. How do I perform the cold reset safely on this MFP?

Technician

Step 2 — Cold reset / Initialize NVRAM
The exact button combo varies by series, but the pattern is:
1) Power off the printer.
2) Hold the OK or Home + Back (or Right Arrow) while powering on.
3) When the Permanent Storage Init or Administrator → Reset → Cold Reset appears, select it.
4) Wait for reboot. The device will return to factory network defaults (usually DHCP/Auto-IP).
If your model has a Reset Factory vs Cold Reset: choose Cold Reset — it clears corrupt NVRAM but preserves some firmware and page counts.

Customer

After the reset it boots, but the IP changed. How do I get back online and restore trays?

Technician

Step 3 — Re-enter network & paper setup
• On the panel or EWS: set TCP/IP (Static IP or DHCP Reservation), Subnet/Gateway/DNS, and Hostname.
• In Paper Handling: program each tray size (Letter/A4) and type (Plain 75–90 g/m², Labels, Heavy). Mismatched trays cause “Load Tray” prompts.
• Recreate Defaults: Language/Date/Time, Energy settings, SMTP/Scan to Email, Fax, and admin password/PIN if used.

Customer

Printing works again, but users say drivers reinstalled and defaults changed. Anything else?

Technician

Step 4 — Stabilize drivers & firmware
• Install the latest HP firmware for your series (fixes NVRAM handling and log growth).
• On Windows print servers, lock the queue to a single v4 driver or HP Universal Print (PCL6). Disable auto-switch to class drivers.
• In EWS, disable excessive job logging if storage is limited; clear old logs/counters. This prevents another 68.1 NVRAM Full.

Customer

We also use Secure Print/PIN. Will a cold reset wipe it? Can I back up settings next time?

Technician

Cold reset clears stored PINs, some security certificates, and custom apps. After restoring, go to EWS → General → Save/Restore and create a settings backup. Also export certificates if you use IPP-over-TLS or LDAP/SMTP with TLS. Keep a printed Configuration Page in the tray for future incidents.

Customer

If the error returns, could this be a formatter or memory issue instead of settings?

Technician

It can be. Persistent 68.1 after a good reset points to a failing formatter board, NVRAM/Flash chip, or storage where logs reside. Run Preboot Diagnostics → System → Storage, reseat DIMMs/flash, and test with minimal accessories (no extra trays/finishers). If diagnostics show write failures, the formatter should be replaced.

Customer

All set. We’re back online with the correct trays and a static IP. Thanks!

Technician

Summary: To fix HP “68.1 NVRAM Full”, capture any configuration, perform a cold reset / NVRAM init, then restore network, tray size/type, and defaults. Update firmware, trim logs, and back up settings to avoid repeats. If 68.1 returns, run diagnostics for a failing formatter/NVRAM. Need help with your model’s key combo? Open the chat.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted fix when HP displays “68.1 NVRAM Full”: perform a cold reset / initialize NVRAM, then reconfigure IP/DHCP, trays, and defaults. Update firmware, clear logs, and create an EWS backup. If the alert returns, test storage/formatter hardware.

FAQ

Step-by-step (HP Enterprise/Pro)

1. Attempt to print a Configuration Page or access EWS to capture settings.
2. Perform a cold reset / NVRAM init from Preboot/Administrator menu.
3. Restore network (Static IP/DHCP reservation), tray size/type, time, language.
4. Update firmware; clear logs; back up settings in EWS.

Note for managed environments (servers & fleets)

1. Use DHCP reservations so IPs persist across resets.
2. Standardize on HP Universal Print (PCL6) and lock defaults via print server/GPO.
3. Schedule firmware updates and periodic config backups from EWS or fleet tools.

Sources

• HP Support — Cold reset / NVRAM init procedures by model
• HP LaserJet Enterprise — Preboot menu & administrator resets
• HP — Print configuration/status pages & network setup

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