HP Smart App Issue

[Arachnid]

I have an Envy 4527 and on my desktop there are two HP smart apps, not sure why there are two but anyway they have both stopped working , one does nothing and the other one will finally show the home screen but i can not click on printer settings to see ink levels. I also tried to print from my desktop which did not work but did when i emailed it. Any ideas ?. Could be a windows update issue as i had problems with my email after updating.

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@Arachnid 

If the "desktop" (to which you refer) is the Desktop screen on your computer where you see your icons and Taskbar, the following is relevant to the HP Smart Application.

OR

In the case of the HP Smart software, it is possible to add a shortcut on the Desktop: the process is not at all straight forward; you have to know what you are doing to have accomplished this.  You would recognize the setup (having created the shortcuts).  

HP Smart Pinned to Start and / or Taskbar

It is certainly possible to PIN the HP Smart software to the Taskbar.  It is unlikely that Windows would accidentally place two links to the application in the Taskbar area.  

You can also "PIN" the HP Smart application onto your Windows Start Screen, though (again), it is unlikely that Windows would try to PIN two instances of the same software into the Tile area.

If you do have duplicate PINs in either the Taskbar or in Windows Start, I can understand why the application is having problems - "something" is not right in your Windows File System. 

If you think the Windows File System is broken, you need to try and repair it.  Easily accessible tools for consumers to "fix" a File System include DISM and sfc.

For Windows 10

DISM

Start cmd with admin

Windows key + X + (then) A  (admin cmd prompt)

Run the DISM software first: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

Log File:  C:\Windows\Logs\DISM\dism.log

Next

Run the sfc software: sfc /scannow

Log File: C:\Windows\Logs\CBS\CBS.log

Help:

Microsoft:  Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files

Nothing else in this post beyond this point will be helpful to a broken File System.

OR

Windows File System OK ("Nothing to See Here")

HP Smart is a nice application - like other software, the program can get into trouble if there are changes around it.  In general, application software of this type is not itself affected by Windows Updates, though the application certainly does depend on a healthy file system (Operating System that runs Windows).

Click the application Tile in Start or click the icon on the Taskbar to start the application.

Example - HP Smart Application

HP_Smart_Windows10_Start_Screen_1

Application not working or not working as expected?

HP Smart might need to be Reset, Removed / Reinstalled

Find the Advanced Options for your HP Smart application.

Settings > Apps > Apps and features

Scroll down, find and click HP Smart > Advanced options

Select what you want to try (Reset / Uninstall)

After the operation you select is completed, Restart the computer and log in.

If you uninstalled the software, go to the Windows Store to download and install a fresh copy.

Example

HP_Smart_Settings_Apps_Advanced_1

The HP Smart Application is available for download and installation from the Windows Store.

Help for HP Smart

HP Printers - Using the HP Smart App (Windows 10)

Full Feature Software (printer software for Windows)

If the "desktop" (to which you refer) is the Desktop screen on your computer where you see your icons and Taskbar, 

AND

If you did not deliberately place the HP Smart Application shortcuts on the Desktop,

THEN

The two HP Smart applications you describe are likely shortcuts for different print software.   For example,  installing the Full Feature Software for your printer would (normally) place a shortcut to the software on your Desktop.  Windows does not care how many shortcuts to the same software are placed on the Desktop as long as each shortcut is uniquely named.

The Full Feature Software is a completely different program than the HP Smart Application.

The Full Feature Software can be removed and reinstalled:

• Uninstall the printer software  from Programs and Features
• Restart the computer and log in
• Download-save-install the printer software
• Restart the computer and log in

The installation of the software adds the Printer Assitant shortcut to the desktop.

The Printer Assistant shortcut is named for the printer.

Example - Officejet Pro 8740 - Printer Assistant shortcut on the Desktop

Printer_Assistant_Shortcut_Icon_on_Desktop

Example - Officejet Pro 8740 - Printer Assistant

Double-Click the shortcut to open the software

Printer_Assistant_8740_1

Reference and Resources – Places to find (more) help and learn about your Printer

Printer Homepage – “Things that are your printer”

Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, Videos, Bulletins/Notices, How-to, Troubleshooting, User Guides, Product Information, more

HP ENVY 4527 All-in-One Printer

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[Arachnid]

Thank you, got it up and running

[Dragon-Fur]

@Arachnid 

You are welcome.

Happy Printing!

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

We are a world community of HP enthusiasts dedicated to supporting HP technology.

Click Thumbs Up on a post to say Thank You!

Answered? Click post "Accept as Solution" to help others find it.