HPNetworkCommunicator.exe

[DuckFirst]

On a new one-week-old Officejet Pro 8600 Plus,

I have had a very similar experience, but a laptop was not involved, but instead 3 desktops WIRE networked.  The first computer does not have the problem, but the second and third computers on which I loaded the printer software both have the problem.  When the printer has not been turned on (similar to the laptop used off-site) those 2 computers show in the “Processes” in Windows 7 Task Manager that
HPNetworkCommunicator.exe
TRIES to “run” at about 10-second intervals when printer is NOT TURNED ON
and that causes a “green circle activity indicator” to run (like hour glass with cursor) that is very annoying to say the least.

As soon as the printer is turned on the Windows 7 Task Manager then shows a SECOND instance of

HPNetworkCommunicator.exe

added to the list of "Processes" with BOTH instances of

HPNetworkCommunicator.exe

stabilized and the “green circle activity indicator” not running every 10 seconds.

The first computer that does not have the problem does NOT have ANY instances of

HPNetworkCommunicator.exe

running (or trying to run) in  the Windows 7 Task Manager - NOT either with the printer TURNED OFF or TURNED ON.

 

At this point I am tempted to uninstall all printer info from computers number 2 and 3 and doing a "clean" install from the installation CD or maybe just the drivers only and hopefully NOT getting something in the printer software installed on computers number 2 and 3 that I was lucky enough to not choose on computer number 1.

[SophiaS]

After you tried the work around, did you still see “green circle activity indicator”?

[DuckFirst]

Thanks, SophiaS (Teacher).  I have done a lot of reading of ALL the "posts" regarding this situation of MANY other people having the same problem.  I have also read some of your answers and I think we all need to appreciate people like you who spend a lot of personal time to help others.

Your timing is very good -- I just finished UNINSTALLING on one of the 2 computers and (very carefully) REINSTALLING (a "restart" of any kind usually helps).  I was very careful to read all the installation CHOICES and be sure to

Uninstalled all the printer software then reinstalled the following:

• Basic software.
• Help files.
• Hp update.

and NOT checking “scan to computer” during the installation.

This appeared to work for someone else running on Windows 7.

Then I "latched onto" one other item mentioned in many of the answers to other posts about this situation having happened on many HP printers - not just one model.

Go into settings and changed the “monitor ink levels” option from “check all the time” to “only check when I print”.

Whether one of those steps or both are necessary I don't know but all I know for sure it is "fixed" on one of the 2 computers out of 3 that had the "sickness."  Tomorrow I will tackle the 3rd computer and hopefully all 3 will not have the problem.

I think the real frustration is that HP technical support by phone do not know the answer.

In fact, the person who I talked to earlier today actually went to Google search and came up with a lot of "hits" on "HPNetworkCommunicator.exe"!  That really helped me in finally solving the problem I was having - just reading all the other "answers" and "frustrations."

[SophiaS · Accepted solution]

I'm sorry to hear that support didn't help.  And glad to hear two changes did the trick:

 I found there is now a HP document explaining the two actions.

The Mouse Cursor Turns Into an Hourglass (System is Busy) After an HP Printer Network Installation

Windows 7

Follow these steps in the order presented to resolve the issue.

Step one: Change the ink alerts setting

1. Double-click the HP product icon on the desktop, or click the Windows icon ( ), click All Programs , click HP , and then click your HP product.
2. Under Shopping Resources , click Estimated Ink Levels .
3. Click the Advanced Settings tab.
4. Under Show Alerts , select Only show me ink alerts when I print .
   Do not close the HP software.

Step two: Disable the Scan to Computer setting

1. Click Scanner Actions , and then click Manage Scan to Computer .
2. Click the Disable button.
3. Click to remove the check next to Automatically start Scan to Computer when I log into Windows .
4. Click Close to save the settings.

NOTE:To scan from the HP software or from the product control panel, reverse the previous steps to temporarily enable the Scan to Computer setting. After scanning, disable the setting again.

[DuckFirst]

I can not seem to find the black “Accept as Solution” button on your post that solved my problem.

I must be getting too old for this stuff!

[soundpatrol]

Hello,

Thanks for your helpful solution.  I do agree this has fixed the issue but it is more of a workaround.  I do scan from my pc quite often so this means I am going to have to undo this workaround each time.  Can you clarify if HP intend to provide a proper solution to this issue.  What I mean by that the cursor issue is fixed and we are able to enable the scan from pc option.

Many thanks

[soundpatrol]

Hello,

I have not had a response to my question.  Should I raise this as a new thread?

Regards

[f2point8]

There is a recent software release that corrects this "hourglass" behavior.

I would suggest going here to check for newer software for your hp printer: http://h20614.www2.hp.com/ediags/gmd/welcome.aspx?

For those users who might be experiencing similar behavior on a different product, new software was recently released for many hp inkjet printer products (corresponding with the release of Windows 8) that corrects this behavior.

If a newer software release is available for your product, I would strongly suggest installing it.

Regards,  Kent G.