Epson WF-7720 Stuck in ROM Firmware Update Mode FA07: Why the Computer Cannot Find the Printer and What to Try Next

Question

I was following the second method from the video "2 WAYS - Solve Epson Printers Stuck in Recovery Mode - Fix Firmware Error" for an Epson WF-7720. The printer was connected to the computer with the same USB cable that worked about ten minutes earlier, but now the computer cannot find the printer. The printer screen shows ROM FIRMWARE UPDATE MODE FA07. Is there any way to troubleshoot this?

Answer

In your case, the important message is ROM FIRMWARE UPDATE MODE FA07. This means the printer is no longer booting normally into its standard operating firmware. Instead, it is sitting in a low-level firmware recovery state. This usually happens when the firmware stored in the printer's memory is incomplete, corrupted, mismatched, or unreadable.

The FA07 part is especially important because it tells us the printer is not just showing a simple cartridge error or paper-feed error. It is in a firmware-related recovery condition. The printer's main board is waiting for firmware data, but the computer may not always recognize it as a normal Epson printer in this state.

There are two broad possibilities here.

First, the printer may still be communicating with the computer, but the computer is not seeing it as the usual "Epson WF-7720" printer. In recovery mode, it may appear under a different USB name, as an unknown USB device, or as a firmware update device instead of a normal printer. In this situation, the software recovery method may still work.

Second, the printer may no longer be communicating through USB at all. If that is the case, the software method will not work, because any firmware recovery utility must be able to talk to the printer before it can send new firmware.

Start with the simple checks first. Turn the printer off, disconnect the power cord, disconnect the USB cable from both the printer and the computer, and wait a few minutes. Then reconnect the power cable first, turn the printer back on, and wait until it returns to ROM FIRMWARE UPDATE MODE FA07. After that, connect the USB cable directly to the computer. Avoid using a USB hub, docking station, extension cable, or front-panel USB port. Use a rear motherboard USB port if you are on a desktop computer.

Try another USB cable if possible. Even though the same cable worked ten minutes earlier, recovery mode can be pickier about USB communication. A cable that works for normal printing may fail when the printer is in firmware transfer mode. Use a short, good-quality USB data cable, not a charging-only cable.

If you are using Windows, open Device Manager and check under areas such as Universal Serial Bus controllers, Printers, Print queues, or Other devices. The printer may not show up as "WF-7720." It may appear as an unknown USB device or Epson recovery-related device. If Windows makes the USB connection sound when you plug the cable in, that is a good sign because it means the computer is detecting something.

If the computer detects the printer in any form, then the software recovery path is still worth trying. Restart the printer in recovery or service mode again and run Epson's recovery firmware utility for the correct model. The goal is to overwrite the corrupted or incomplete firmware sections. Make sure the firmware package matches the Epson WF-7720 specifically. Using firmware for a similar-looking model can make the situation worse.

If Epson's firmware recovery tool cannot find the printer, you can also try a different computer. Sometimes the original computer has a driver conflict, stale Epson utility process, Windows USB issue, or stuck print spooler problem. A second computer with a fresh Epson driver installation may detect the printer when the first computer does not.

You can also try uninstalling existing Epson WF-7720 printer entries from Windows, restarting the computer, and then reconnecting the printer while it is already showing ROM FIRMWARE UPDATE MODE FA07. In some cases, Windows will reinstall the USB device in a cleaner state.

Another possible software route is using a firmware rollback or reset utility such as WICReset. However, this only works if the printer still communicates with the computer. These tools cannot repair a printer that has completely stopped responding over USB. If the printer is visible to the computer, a rollback may sometimes revive it by writing a different firmware version. In some cases, the rollback succeeds because it avoids or rewrites a damaged firmware region.

The reason this happens can be deeper than just a failed update. Firmware is stored in memory on the printer's main board, commonly involving EEPROM or flash memory areas. EEPROM corruption can happen when memory cells inside the chip start to wear out, especially during a firmware update where large blocks of data are written at once. If some of those memory cells are already weak, the update process can overstress them and leave part of the firmware unreadable. When that happens, the printer may freeze, blink, display a firmware message, or stop communicating normally.

Another reason people run into this problem is that Epson firmware updates sometimes change cartridge recognition behavior, including updates that may block or interfere with third-party cartridges. Occasionally, firmware updates can even cause problems with Epson's own supplies or with printers that were working normally before the update. When that happens, many users try to downgrade the firmware. However, if the EEPROM or firmware storage area already has weak regions, the downgrade process can fail and leave the printer stuck in a recovery loop.

So the key point is this: the software solution only works if the printer still communicates with the computer. If the computer can detect the printer, even as an unknown USB device, keep trying software recovery first. This is the easiest and least invasive option.

If the printer no longer talks to the computer at all, then the problem moves from software troubleshooting to hardware-level repair. In that case, the firmware stored on the board may be corrupted badly enough that the USB recovery process cannot start. The repair would require direct programming of the memory chip.

That hardware method usually involves using an EEPROM programmer. A ready-made programmer can be used, such as this type of EEPROM programming tool: EEPROM Programmer [https://amzn.to/43HA5nw]. With this method, a clean binary dump from a healthy Epson WF-7720 main board would be written directly to the EEPROM or firmware memory chip. The replacement data must come from the same model and compatible board version. Writing the wrong data can cause more problems.

Because corruption can indicate physical wear in the memory chip itself, it is sometimes better to replace the EEPROM chip entirely instead of only rewriting it. If the chip has weak or failing cells, reflashing it may temporarily bring the printer back, but the same problem can return later. Replacing the chip gives the repair a better chance of being stable.

However, this is not a beginner-level repair. It requires board-level work, the correct programmer, the correct firmware dump, proper chip identification, and sometimes soldering. If the chip is programmed in-circuit, the technician must also make sure the board is not interfering with the programmer. If the chip is removed from the board, there is always a risk of pad damage or heat damage.

For your Epson WF-7720 showing ROM FIRMWARE UPDATE MODE FA07, I would troubleshoot in this order:

1. Try a different USB cable and connect directly to the computer.

2. Try a different USB port, preferably a rear port on a desktop.

3. Restart both the printer and the computer.

4. Check Windows Device Manager to see whether the printer appears under another name.

5. Try another computer if available.

6. Reinstall Epson drivers and try Epson's recovery firmware utility again.

7. If the printer is detected, consider firmware recovery or rollback software.

8. If the printer is not detected at all, the likely next step is hardware EEPROM or firmware-chip programming.

Addressing printer issues can be a complicated affair because many of these problems require hands-on inspection. For that reason, we are not able to provide remote troubleshooting, step-by-step repair guidance, or remote support for individual printer repairs. We do offer an in-person evaluation and repair service through our local diagnostic facility: BCH Technologies Printer Repair Service [https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service]. Because demand is high, we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so it may take a few weeks before your printer can be dropped off. Our services are structured to repair either a whole printer or specific parts, with clear instructions on how to proceed. However, we understand that our rates may not be the most economical option for everyone. For that reason, we highly recommend self-help through online research. You can begin by checking YouTube or visiting our YouTube channel homepage: BCH Technologies on YouTube [https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies]. Use the search icon next to "About" on the right-hand side of the menu bar to search for specific videos. I receive dozens of questions every day asking where to find videos on specific topics. Since we have created videos for more than nine years, it is difficult to remember every single one, so YouTube's search function is usually the fastest way to locate the right video. YouTube may also suggest helpful videos from other channels that apply to your situation.

Thanks again for reaching out and for supporting our channel. I hope this gives you a clearer idea of why the Epson WF-7720 may show ROM FIRMWARE UPDATE MODE FA07, why the computer may no longer find the printer, and what your realistic repair paths are from here.