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]

@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