Photosmart C4280 won't print under OS 10.6.3

[fox831]

Hi there,

I have had this printer (Photosmart C4280 All-in-one) for more than a year now and it was working fine. However, when I went home last November, I installed my older (Officejet G85). Then, when I came back, I tried to print a document but it would not print. I googled the issue, searched forums and tried the HP Solve a Problem section but all to no use. I have also reinstalled the printer three times but that didn't change anything.

The printer prints the test page with no problems. The print queue shows 'error' under the status tab but does not give any details. 

I'm running a MacBook Pro 2.16GHz on a Mac OS X 10.6.3 with the latest HP suite 10.3.

Any help is much appreciated. 

[PrintDoc]

Let's reset the printing system:

- Sys Prefs, Print & Fax
- Right (control) click the print queue area and select Reset Printing System.

- This will remove all printers in the list.
- Select the plus sign to re-add it. Look for the printer, select it and wait until the "Add" button becomes available. Click it.

[fox831]

Thanks for your reply. 

I have already done this step before and have just done it again but it yielded the same result, which is a message telling me that some of the software is missing and the printer may not be able to print, reinstall the printer's software. Reinstallation has been done three times before but to no use. 

Any other suggestions would be very welcome.

[PrintDoc · Accepted solution]

OK, let's thoroughly uninstall all the HP software on your Mac in this manner:

Go to Applications/Hewlett Packard/ click on HP Uninstaller
Click on Continue
Highlight your device on the left pane
Hold the Ctrl, Opt and Cmd keys and click on Uninstall
There will be a pop up that asks if you are sure you want to uninstall ALL hp software. (At this point, if you continue, any HP printers you have installed will need to be reinstalled)
Click Continue and let it finish

Now, run a Software Update.

Next, remove and re-install the printer in System Preferences, Print & Fax.

You do not need the software now since Snow Leopard has both print & scan drivers built-in. Scan from Preview or Image Capture apps. Scanning from the front panel of the printer does not yet work.

[fox831]

Thanks for your quick replies, mate. It worked like a charm.

Although, if you don't mind me asking, what's the use of holding the "Ctrl, Opt and Cmd" keys when uninstalling? and does it make a difference when uninstalling other apps as well? 

Cheers 

[PrintDoc]

I don't know about other apps, but with the HP uninstaller it tells it to thoroughly scour libraries, settings, etc and remove any trace of HP software.  A regular uninstall may have worked, but maybe not....

[fox831]

Thanks for sharing that, mate.

[chrishegan]

Don't see how to mark as accepted solution, but it should be. Thanksd.

[jimmc]

I re-installed the hp cd program because my HP Officejet 7410 all-in-one wouldn't scan and it told me to.  But once I did I had the same problem as above user listed with my printer.  I spent hours trying most of the FIXES but nothing worked until I tried this solution.  Thank you so much!!!

[Shellbo6901]

Ok I did all of that, but when I go back to Print & Fax, what do I do? I hit the + button, but no printers show up.