4201 continuous problems

[Crash_IT]

Update 4/23/2025 

Still having the same issue, still no fix. I am hesitant on calling HP Tech support due to the bad info I got last time I called. (Can't use a Data cable over or under 4ft long, no HP printer will work unless it's just 4ft) Wireless, Bluetooth is still out of the question. I got it to work for a while by deleting everything HP or Hewlett Packard related on the computer including the registry. It worked for a time and is now not anymore. It will print single sided for about 3-5 pages then say load Tray 1/Manual to continue. Even when those are disabled and Never used. Now it won't even Duplex. I have the most update Universal Driver, and even did the unthinkable last night to see if HP fixed their software for this unit and reinstalled the HP software for the 4201, drivers and HP Doctor. None of which helped. I guess HP Doctor is just a CNA in training.

I am thinking today I will have to call HP Tech support again, wish me luck that I get someone who knows what they are doing.

12/13/2024

Good day, I am the IT Desktop Support Technician where I work. I have an HP Color LaserJet Pro 4201 on one of my people’s machines that has been nothing but problem after problem. The first machine lost connection to the computer. At first it worked great, then went to an Unknown Device, then lost connection (USB cable) to the laptop completely. We called HP Help Desk which was no help. I think we got a Trainee on their very first day. After much Debate we got a refurbished machine same make and model.
I got that new one installed and for 2 weeks it worked perfectly. Then it stopped printing and insisting it had to be tray 1 (front loading area) It wouldn't print from Tray 2. Then stopped double sided prints completely no matter what setting we used.
I removed and reinstalled the drivers and got it working again for about a week then it stopped 2 sided again or if it was a large project would only print odd pages then expect you to reload it to do the other side. This is unacceptable. Again, I removed Drivers and this time anything form the machine that was associated with HP in any way shape or form, then reinstalled. I got it printing and double sided again, at least for another week.
This time I removed all HP again and just used a Universal Print Driver and that worked for about 2 days. Now it's doing it again, not printing at all (it is seen in Device Manager and Printer Panel). I have tried 4 different Laptops it’s the same on all of them. HP HD says try to set up on the network but that is against policy and can't be done. I did so for testing purposes only and didn't make a difference.
Today 12/13/2024 I removed everything again installed HP Smart Doctor and reset the printer to Factory Defaults and am planning to upgrade Firmware again and start fresh. I know it will get the user back up and run for a few days anyhow but we really need a long term fix. This is getting Ridiculous. I have worked on Printers for 25 years, everything from HP (I used to be the tech HP would dispatch for hands on work), Gateway, Sharp/Lexmark and Xerox and have never had a machine give me this much grief, ever! I guess I got lucky lol
Here is the Laptop and Printer information, if someone needs more feel free to ask. I just really need to find a fix for this and am at my wits end. Usually here when people get this frustrated with a printer they call me for assistance, time for me to reach out for some cause I am stumped!!

Dell Precision 5550 Laptop
11th Gen Intel i5 2.90GHz cpu
Windows 10 64bit Version 22H2 OS Build 19045.5247
15gb RAM

Printer:
Model #: 4RA86A
Serial #: [personal info removed]
Firmware version 6.17.3.269

[Repairatrooper]

Can you confirm if you are using the Standard Universal Printer driver V7.3 (that is current) or the Smart Universal Printer driver V4.7 (that is the current).

This printer is designed to be used with the Smart UPD.

[Crash_IT]

You're right I should have added that. Actually I have tried both just to be thorough, but currently running the Smart Universal Driver 4.07