[SOLVED] Failure of 'HP print service plugin' Android 6.0.1

[Ashton2_]

The HP print service plugin (current ver 2.14-2.1.2-12b-16.3.15-102) Does Not operate with a Samsung Galaxy S5 (SM-GT900T, Android 6.0.1) phone we are testing.

The printer seems to be found and installs via wifi. But at print time, there is no small yellow print button displayed, then after a few seconds displaying "This printer is not available".  (Testing with native Android browser and Google Chrome browser)

The HP print service plugin does operate Perfectly with multiple Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7" (Android 6.0.1), and with a Samsung Galaxy Tab 7" Lite(Android 4.2.2) tablets tested, Same HP 5514 printer.

Is there any hope?
Any support appreciated very much.

[WyreNut]

Here's two links from a recent similar post:

Printing using the Samsung Print service.

Printing from Mobile Devices.

Perhaps one of them can offer a solution.   🙂

WyreNut

[Ashton2_]

Provost

Your first link takes me to a 'Reply' page For My Own Post.  The second link is simple common setup & using the HP PSPlugin info.

I've setup probably a hundred Androids to print.  Without the HP PSPlugin having a user interface/control panel, any diagnostic ability, there is no method to resolve unknown communication issues without more detailed information.

Hopefully the cursory HP Print Service Plugin app will get some polish, and significant improvements, including a feature to update device compatibility.

[WyreNut]

Apologies, apparently doing too many things at once!  I've edited the link to point to another option - the Samsung app.  Can I assume both the printer and S5 are on the same network?

There is also the HP "AIO" printing app available for comparison and testing.

Other users reporting the HP Print service app was inop had not enabled the extension.  I'm sure you've checked this option already!

I can only offer the usual "basic" suggestions.  This and most other tech forums are full of "My device won't connect, but every other one does!" type of post.  If the other apps above don't produce results, then try rebooting everything - phone, router, and printer.

Just did a bunch of testing with my S6.  I have 3 print plugins - Samsung, HP, and a fantastic app I actually paid for:  PrintHand.   Tried to print a spreadsheet directly from Google Drive, and got nowhere.  Once I downloaded the file locally to my phone, they each worked!   Are you trying a cloud-based file, or a local one?

More experimenting produced the fact when I used the specific app needed to open the file, each plugin worked.  (Yeah, printed a bunch of paper!)

(BTW, PrintHand printed perfectly from Google Drive using the app itself to access the cloud files)

How are you trying to print the file?

WyreNut

[Ashton2_]

"Tried to print a spreadsheet directly from Google Drive, and got nowhere.  Once I downloaded the file locally to my phone, they each worked!   Are you trying a cloud-based file, or a local one?"

My current goal is to print web pages, (sort of a work-order, bio-med tech reports) from a web app.  I'm thinking local vs web-based isn't my problem, since all of the android tablets being used print the same web documents so perfectly.

Sine you have an S6, please try printing a simplified web form, or a one page PDF off the web.   I'll be testing Sam S6 and S7 printing tomorrow, and the Moto G Plus (4th Gen) soon.  It may be just a quirk with the S5.

Remember, I'm getting the "This printer is not available", and all of the printer attributes (like: No of pages,  Paper type, Layout, Pages, Copies) are all greyed out.  So to me, it feels like a communication failure of sort. 

[WyreNut]

I hate to be redundant, but have your tried rebooting everything?  Communication failure is something easily ruled out.  

Do you have admin priviledges on the wifi source?  I would highly suggest setting a Static IP for the printer!

I am using a different printer (OfficeJet 8610), but I've used numerous HP printers in the past.

Since I am an Electrician/Electronic Tech by trade, I did a search for "Cat 5 termination" and printed out the PDF offered using the HP plugin.  Printed correctly from the phone.

I then went to Facebook, and printed a picture of my Granddaughter playing the saxaphone.  Same plugin, printed correctly (but I wished I had loaded photo paper!)  😞

SO!  We either have a comms issue with your printer, or the S5.  Curious to hear your results tomorrow.

WyreNut

[Ashton2_]

I have rebooted everything multiple times during this effort.

And I did test with a Static IP address in the printer as you suggested, no difference.

Thing seem to be communicating when I Add the printer.  The Search does Not Find the printer (Clue), but when added manually, it is added instantly.

I might add, the Print pooler version on all of these Android devices being tested is Ver. 1.0.

I'll report back after my S6 & S7 tests later today.

[Ashton2_ · Accepted solution]

This mystery is Solved!

We have determined that this failure only occurs when the 'Power Saving" feature is enabled.

[WyreNut]

@Ashton2_

Can you clarify which device you changed the Power Saving feature?  Printer or Android phone?

WyreNut

[Ashton2_]

The power saving mode discovery involved the object of my question, the Samasung Galaxy S5,  as mention in our initial post.

There seems to be an issue with the apps being able to freely communicate with the external devices, when the Power Saving feature is enabled.

With the PSF enabled, things really come to life, all wireless enabled, and shared printers on the WLAN are instantly displayed and available.  

HP should build code in their app to check the PSF status and display this in a dialog at time of launch.

If they are aware of it...