8730 not working

[TahoeJohnny]

I unfortunately have an 8730 my company is forcing me to use.  It was working and then suddenly my PC could not see it.  Kindof!  It is connected via USB AND wireless since I always seem to have printer issues and needed a back up.  I uninstalled software and installed HP "Smart".  I tried installing via wireless and USB but it won't connect.  It see the printer, I select, it and it tells me to Select another printer.  I unplugged USB. I updated Driver.

[Dragon-Fur]

@TahoeJohnny 

Welcome to the HP Community Forum.

Suggestions / Try - Consider

Choose which you want to use -- USB or Wireless, or -- if you have it -- Wired Ethernet connection between the printer and the router.  Ethernet generally provides a stable environment in a healthy network.

Know that HP Smart -- if you decide to install and use it -- might work with USB .  The application will be happier when used in a full wired (Ethernet cable from printer to router) or Wireless connection. 

The Full Feature Software / full driver printer software, partly because it does not provide all the features of HP Smart, does not require Wired (Ethernet) or Wireless -- the full driver will function using a USB cable between the printer and the computer.

Before you install the full driver,

Disconnect the USB cable between the printer and the computer. 

What?  The USB cable cannot be connected during the first part of the installation of the full driver printer software -- if you are going to use the USB cable, connect it only when instructed to do so near the end of the installation process.

If you are not going to use the USB cable, do not connect it at any point during the installation process.

Read -- then proceed...

Start here --

For now, because HP Smart is not connecting,

Uninstall the HP Smart app from Settings > Apps > Apps and Features

Next,

Restart everything, including the router that controls your network.

Next, if you see "Offline" issues:

Known solutions, presented in the order to be completed / considered

  HP printer is offline or not responding  

Next,

When the printer is accepted on the network...

• Uninstall any printer software from Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features
• Restart the computer and sign in.
• If you see "Driver Unavailable" during installation, Start over:  Uninstall the printer software > Restart the computer and log in >>> Add the steps described in the "Check and Remove" section (included later in this message) to remove any extra pieces of printer software still lurking in the computer.
• If any changes are made, that is, you remove anything, Restart the computer and sign in.
• Install a fresh copy of the Full Feature Software

Details / How-to / Examples

Read, Use or Ignore the following based on your situation.

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>>> Check / Install the Full Feature Software / full driver printer software

The full driver provides the foundation on which other programs and printing software depend.

The driver includes HP Scan – HP Scan supports scanning / saving / printing your scan content.

Preparation

Printer Software Check - Is the full driver printer software installed?

Notes

When the full driver printer software is installed,

Find the printer software listed in Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features.

The installation of the full printer software adds shortcut icons to the Desktop.

• The Printer Assistant is named for the printer and provides access to Print , Scan , and Tools
• HP Scan is named for itself and provides a direct call to the HP Scan software.
• Where supported, when installed as part of the HP Smart application, HP Smart Printing is a modern style print driver that supports printing for Images and Documents.

Programs_and_Features_Printer_Desktop_Icons_9

Next...

If… Installed  Software is out of date or is not working

NOTE:  If the printer software shows installed but is not working as expected, remove and reload the software.

NOTE:  Windows 11

Windows Start > Search for Control Panel and open

Uninstall the printer software from Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features

Restart the computer and log in

What if?

If software will not uninstall, appears to be removed and is “still hanging around” after you uninstall / Restart...

Microsoft:  Fix problems that block programs from being installed or removed

OR

Revo Uninstaller (Free version)

then

Restart the computer and log in

==============================================================

Check and Remove Section

Check_and_Remove_Section_2

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Printer Software - Installation

Note:  There are two methods to install the Full Feature / Full Solution Software.

Easy Start Software to Install HP Smart and / or the Full Feature / Full Driver Software

• Open  Home Page - HP Easy Start >> Click to open Category Software and Drivers 
• Download and Save the current version of the Easy Start Software installation package  to install your print software

Easy Start can be used to install your printer software and / or the HP Smart application.

If you want to install the full driver printer software, choose the "Full Software and Drivers" option during the Easy Start installation procedure.

OR

Printer Software - Install using the Full Webpack installation package.

Full Feature Software / Printer Installation Package / Download and Save

HP OfficeJet Pro 8730 All-in-One Print and Scan Driver and Accessories 

Basic Instructions - Install the Full Feature Software / Full Driver printer software

Preparation

• If the printer software is still / already installed, Uninstall the printer software  from Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features > Restart the computer and log in – Reference Uninstall HP printer software and drivers

>>> After the printer software is uninstalled, check that the printer is not still lurking in Devices and Printers. 

 If the printer is listed, Right-Click on the printer and "Remove" > Restart the computer and sign in.

• If using VPN, shut it off to install software.  NOTE >> If you don’t know what this is, you are not using a VPN – ignore this part.

• Reminder:  If using USB cable between printer and computer, disconnect the cable before installing software.  Later... Connect the cable when instructed (near the end of the installation procedure).

• Observation:  It is possible (assuming your Wireless Network is stable) that using a Wireless connection to install the printer software might work better than using an Ethernet Connection.   Personal choice - the Wireless connection method is recommended when you face insurmountable issues installing the software.

Installation

• Download and Save the Full Feature Software installation package or the Easy Start Software
• Open File Explorer
• Navigate to the folder in which you saved the installation file  (likely Downloads)
• Right-Click on the installation package and “Run as Administrator”
• After the software is installed, Restart the computer and log in

If using Easy Start

• Skip any extra software / offers you do not want – Wording varies as does the number of times you have to “skip” or opt-out of various options.
• When asked, opt for "Full Software and Drivers" (exact wording might vary).
• Easy_Start_Full_Driver_2

• If after the Full Software and Drivers option is selected, the installation terminates (suddenly stops and disappears – never comes back): Open your Downloads folder > Look for and Right-Click on the full Web installation package and “Run as Administrator”

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Preparation > Check / enable the printer as the “Default Printer”

Windows 11

Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers and scanners

Scroll down > Switch OFF Let Windows manage my default printer

Scroll up > Select (Left-Click) your printer from the list of printers > Set as Default

Windows 10

Settings > Devices > Printers and scanners

UNCHECK (clear box) Let Windows manage my default printer

Select (Left-Click) your printer from the list of printers > Manage > Set as Default

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If you can get the full driver printer software to install,

If you wish to do so,

Install HP Smart.

HP Smart for Windows

HP Smart is an application available in the Microsoft Store

OR

Open the Homepage / Support Website for your printer

Category Software and Drivers > Check/ Get the App

>>> Open and Read >>> HP printer setup (HP Smart app)

NOTES: 

• Read FAQ -  including - What are the requirements to set up a printer using the HP Smart app?

• Disconnect from Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection before downloading.

• Turn on Wi-Fi on your computer or mobile device and connect to your network. If the computer is connected to the network with an Ethernet cable, temporarily disconnect the cable and use the Wi-Fi connection during the setup.

• Enable Bluetooth for an HP Smart app setup: Enable Bluetooth on your computer or mobile device so that HP Smart can detect the printer during the setup.  Source: How to scan with an HP printer > FAQ > Why can't I connect my wireless printer or scan over the network?

• HP Smart requires that you sign into the application using your HP Account credentials.

• When working through a browser to access HP Smart, be sure you have Cookies enabled.  If cookies are enabled and you are having trouble, clear Cache and Cookies.   And / Or … Try a different browser – assign that browser as the Default. (Note:  Chrome not working?  Use / Assign a different default browser.)

• Where possible, HP Smart benefits (likes) having the Full Feature Software / full driver printer software installed.  For example, full driver provides access to Shortcuts and Printing Preferences.

• “Share” to email – Before using Share, add your sender email address to the Windows Mail application

• Document includes the HP Smart application download links for Windows and Mobile devices, plus an FAQ section to assist with questions / issues.
  •  FAQ examples: 
    • What are the requirements to use the HP Smart app?
    • Which printers are compatible with the HP Smart app?
    • Why do I need to sign in or create an account to use the HP Smart app features?
    • Which languages does the HP Smart app support?
  • Older versions of the HP Smart app no longer support the required login feature.
  • Update the application to the latest version to access / use HP Smart

Help Here:  Unable to download and install the HP Smart printer app

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References / Resources

HP Printer Home Page - References and Resources – Learn about your Printer  - Solve Problems

“Things that are your printer”

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

NOTE:  Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories:  Alerts, Access to the Print and Scan Doctor (Windows), Warranty Check, HP Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, Lots of How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, Manuals > User Guides, Product Information (Specifications), Supplies, and more

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HP OfficeJet Pro 8730 All-in-One Printer series 

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