Does HP App require printers to be wireless?

[privatename]

1. Does the new HP App require that printers be wireless for the HP App to work? In other words, can I still use USB between my printer and my desktop PC?

2. Will the HP App fix the "tug-of-war" between Windows and HP in which one controls my printer? In other words, will I be able to finally fix that irksome double-sided printing issue?

3. Do I need to uninstall my old HP software and disconnect my HP printer and start all over again in order for the HP App to work? 

Thank you.

[NonSequitur777 · Accepted solution]

@privatename,

I would answer as follows:

1. Does the new HP App require a wireless connection?

No. The HP App supports both USB-connected and network-connected HP printers. If your printer is connected to your desktop via USB, the app should still be able to detect and manage it. There is no requirement to switch to Wi-Fi.

2. Will the HP App fix the Windows/HP "tug-of-war" over printer settings?

Unfortunately, not necessarily.

The HP App is primarily a setup, management, and support application. It does not replace the Windows print driver or the Windows Print Spooler.

The duplex printing issue you're describing is usually caused by one of the following:

• Windows installing a generic Microsoft print driver instead of the full HP driver.
• The printer being installed multiple times (for example, once as a USB printer and once as a WSD/network printer).
• Printing preferences being changed in one location while an application overrides them in another.

The HP App may reinstall or update the printer software, which can resolve some driver-related problems, but I wouldn't expect it to eliminate the issue by itself.

3. Should I uninstall everything and start over?

Not as a first step.

I would leave your current HP software installed and simply install the HP App. In many cases it should recognize your existing printer installation and work alongside the current software.

If the HP App cannot detect the printer correctly or you're still experiencing printing problems afterward, then a clean reinstall of the printer software would be the next step I would recommend.

So my recommendation would be:

1. Leave the printer connected.
2. Leave the existing HP software installed.
3. Install the HP App.
4. Verify that it detects the printer and that printing works normally.
5. Only consider uninstalling and reinstalling the printer software if problems remain.

One question: What is the exact model number of your HP printer?

Also, when you mention the "double-sided printing issue", do you mind describing exactly what's happening?

For example, is Windows ignoring your default duplex setting, does it always revert to single-sided printing, or is the duplex option missing entirely? Those symptoms point to different causes, and knowing the exact behavior will help narrow it down.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[privatename]

Hello NonSequitur777,

Thank you for answering my questions. I was able to download and install the HP App without any problems, but you were correct that the HP App would not repair the duplex printing error.

I want to answer your question as to the exact model number of my printer. The label on the front of the printer says, "HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e". I've had this printer since this spring (around April 2026). However, the duplex printing issue started last year when I updated my desktop PC from Windows 10 Home to Windows 11 Home. My previous printer was "HP OfficeJet Pro 8025e", and it had the same duplex printing problem. I suspect the culprit is Windows 11. I do not want duplex printing. It's not something I set up. It's something that was automatically set when my computer was upgraded to Windows 11 and I can't figure out how to change it.

Whenever I print something in MS Word or Excel (this problem does not exist in Adobe Reader, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft Edge), the default setting is for duplex printing and I cannot change it. Let me rephrase that last part. I can change it, but the settings won't stay that way. I prefer printing single-sided and I've changed it to "Print single-sided" and every time, Microsoft changes it back to duplex printing. Here's MS Word and MS Excel.

   

Picture 1                                          Picture 2

In order to fix that, I changed the settings via Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > HP Officejet Pro 8120e series > Printing preferences > Basic, Pages per Sheet > 1 page per sheet

Picture 3

That did not fix the problem. Both MS Word and Excel show the same settings in Pictures 1 and 2, it's as if those settings aren't talking to each other.  So I went into the Device Manager and looked into the printer driver. Here’s a picture.

Picture 4

So I right-clicked the HP Smart Universal Printing (USB Group 3) driver and left-clicked on “Properties.” Under the “Settings” tab, I clicked on the “Devices and Printers Folder”. Then right-clicked on “HP OfficeJet Pro 8210e series” (which is set to default printer) and clicked “Printing preferences”. I get the same view that is shown in Picture 3.

Ideas? Or am I asking the wrong company (meaning I should be asking Microsoft)? Oh, if I need to put this in a different category, please inform me and I will transfer/copy/paste this whole post to the appropriate category.

Thank you.

[NonSequitur777]

@privatename,

I believe that the screenshot of the Device Manager perfectly reveals the root cause of your frustration.

The printer is being misidentified by Windows 11. Under Imaging devices, Windows has loaded the printer as an imaging scanner over USB. Down under Printers, Windows has assigned it a generic "HP Smart Universal Printing" driver instead of the dedicated driver for the OfficeJet Pro 8120/8125 series.

Because Microsoft Office apps heavily rely on deep driver communication, this generic driver setup is forcing a permanent "Print on Both Sides" default that refuses to save your preferences.

Here is a clear, step-by-step guide to permanently fix this in Windows 11.

Step 1: Force Windows to Save "Single-Sided" as the True Default:

Changing the setting inside Word or Excel only changes it for that specific document session. To fix it globally:

1. Open the Windows Start Menu, type Control Panel, and open it.
2. Click on View devices and printers (under Hardware and Sound).
3. Right-click the HP OfficeJet Pro 8120e/8125e series or HP Smart Universal Printing icon and select Printing preferences.
4. In this specific pop-up window, change the setting to Print Single-Sided (or turn Duplex Off).
5. Click Apply and then OK. This forces Windows 11 to remember the setting at the operating system level, which should stop Office apps from reverting.

Step 2: Install the Dedicated Driver (If Case Step 1 Fails):

If Microsoft Office continues to force duplexing, it is because of that universal driver shown in the Device Manager. Installing the exact driver should fix it:

1. Go to official HP support page and download the HP OfficeJet Pro 8120 series Easy Start or Full Feature Driver.
2. Run the installer. It should replace the generic "HP Smart Universal Printing" driver with the precise software meant for their exact hardware.
3. Once installed, repeat the Control Panel step above to lock in single-sided printing.

Let's see how this works out for you!

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[privatename]

Hello NonSequitur777,

Problem solved! I've detailed everything below so you can see what worked and what didn't.

Thank you for the troubleshooting instructions. I followed your instructions for both Steps 1 and 2. I believe I told you I already did Step 1, but I did it again just to make sure we were on the same page.

Step 1:

• Open the Windows Start Menu, type Control Panel, and open it.
• Click on View devices and printers (under Hardware and Sound).

This is what I saw. In order to get where you wanted me to go, I had to click on Printers & scanners.

That took me to this page/window (see below). I cannot right-click the HP printer in this page/window. So I  had to left-click the HP printer in this page/window and then proceed with your steps.

• Right-click the HP OfficeJet Pro 8120e/8125e series or HP Smart Universal Printing icon and select Printing preferences.
• In this specific pop-up window, change the setting to Print Single-Sided (or turn Duplex Off).
• Click Apply and then OK. This forces Windows 11 to remember the setting at the operating system level, which should stop Office apps from reverting.

Step 1 did not work. In fact, I've done this so many times at this point, with the first time being last year. So I went ahead with Step 2.

Step 2:

I successfully downloaded and installed  "HP Easy Start Printer Setup Software (Internet connection required for driver installation)" (HPEasyStart_17_5_11.exe). I noticed there were quite a few other software programs available for download on this page. The link you sent me took me to the download page but then asked me which OS I was using (Windows 11) and then showed me a list of available downloads. I know you wanted me to download "HP Officejet Pro 8120 series Easy Start or Full Feature Driver" but I could not find anything by that name.

Just so you are aware, I did download and install something similar to this last year when I upgraded to Windows 11 and again this spring when my old printer died and I needed to install a new printer (8125e). I still have that software download on my desktop PC and the file name was "HPEasyStart-16.2.1-OJP8120_59_0_1853_1_Webpack.exe" dated March 15, 2026. 

Anyway, as I was saying, I was able to successfully download and install what I thought you wanted me to do. I noticed that that software package is new, dated June 26, 2026. After I downloaded and installed the new software today, I restarted my desktop PC and then looked at Device Manager. This is what I now have.

It does not look like anything changed. I also checked my HP printer for any new firmware updates (it's already set to automatically receive firmware updates), but it's all updated. 

So I went back to Step 1 and redid what you suggested. I saw something that wasn't there previously. Here are the screenshots of before and after today's software installation. 

OLD VIEW-BEFORE DRIVER        NEW VIEW-AFTER DRIVER

Before                                                                                           After

I then checked MS Word and MS Excel. They're now showing single-sided printing! Step 2 solved the problem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Problem solved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you very, very, very much for all your help!!!!!!! It is much appreciated!!!! I've struggled with this for a year!!!!!! 

Please consider this ticket or case closed. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!