My HP laptop worked fine printing to my HPEnvy 4500, then after not trying it for awhile it stopped

[JumboMan64]

My HP laptop can't seem to find my printer anymore.  It used to work fine, now it can't find it.

[Garp_senchau]

@JumboMan64, Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're stoked to have you on board! 

To help us get started on resolving your issue, could you please share your HP unit's serial number or product number with us via private message? 

Need help finding your product number? We've got you covered! Check out this handy guide:  Click here

To access your private messages, simply click the private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Support Community profile, next to your profile name. 

Meanwhile, you may try these steps:

1. Check the Printer’s Power and Connection

• Ensure the printer is turned on and there are no error messages or blinking lights on the printer.
• If it's a wireless printer, check that it is still connected to the Wi-Fi network. You can usually check this via the printer's display or settings menu.

2. Restart Devices

• Restart both your laptop and printer. Sometimes a simple reboot can resolve connection issues.

3. Check Network Connection

• Make sure both the laptop and printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. You can check the printer’s Wi-Fi connection by printing a network configuration page (refer to the printer manual for instructions).

4. Re-Add the Printer to Your Laptop

• On your HP laptop, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners.
• Click Add a printer or scanner and see if your printer appears. If it does, select it and follow the on-screen instructions.

[Garp_senchau]

5. Run the Printer Troubleshooter

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Printer.
• Follow the prompts to diagnose and fix any detected issues.

6. Update Printer Drivers

• Sometimes outdated drivers can cause connectivity issues. You can go to the printer manufacturer's website (HP) and download the latest drivers for your specific model.

7. Check the Printer’s IP Address (For Wireless Printers)

• If your printer is on a network, it’s possible that its IP address has changed. You can check the printer’s IP address on the printer’s display or by printing a network status page. Then, manually add the printer via its IP address in the Printers & Scanners settings.

8. Disable VPN or Firewall (If Applicable)

• If you’re using a VPN or firewall, try temporarily disabling it to see if that resolves the issue. Sometimes, they can block the communication between your laptop and printer.

9. Reinstall the Printer

• If nothing works, try uninstalling the printer from your laptop and then reinstalling it. Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and click Remove Device. After that, try adding it back.

I hope these steps help resolve the issue

Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

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Regards,