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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printer Setup, Software & Drivers
- Downloading software

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12-13-2020 01:22 PM
I have an HP Office Jet Pro 6970. For awhile, the computer was not recognizing it and would not communicate with it. I uninstalled and reinstalled the printer and now it prints from the computer. However, I cannot open the program to do scans or check ink levels or do anything the program does. So I guess you could say my computer is communicating with my printer but not vice-versa. I cannot find my disc, so if having to run that is the problem, what can I do? Can a link be sent
12-13-2020 01:38 PM - edited 12-13-2020 01:59 PM
Edits - remove unfortunate wording...
Run this version of the Doctor
http://ftp.hp.com/pub/printers/hppsdr/patches/HPPSdr.exe
- Download and Save the doctor to your computer
- Open File Explorer > Navigate to the folder in which you saved the file (likely Downloads)
- Execute the doctor – Answer any prompts / let the process complete
- Restart the computer, log in, and wait for the final steps in the Doctor to finish.
- Check for any difference.
Original Notes – Contributed by ShlomiL
Paraphrased
Connection Issues
- Print and Scan Doctor Version 5.0.6 creates a secondary queue for printing with TCP/IP port.
After the Offline Doctor completes…
Verify / Adjust the “Default” printing device (Default Printer)
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
OR
Open Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers > Right-Click on printer > Set printer as Default
NOTES – Selecting Default Printer
- Do not select the printer marked as “Scan Only / DO NOT DELETE”
- Do not select the printer marked as “Fax”
Example Default Printer: Set “Default” Printer = HP OfficeJet Pro 9020 series PCL-3 (Net)
Reference: HP Printers - Printer is Offline (Windows) > Step 2: Manually set the default printer
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Printer Home Page - References and Resources – Learn about your Printer - Solve Problems
“Things that are your printer”
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, User Guides / Manuals, Product Information (Specifications), more
When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic
HP OfficeJet Pro 6970 All-in-One Printer series
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Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.
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Question Resolved / Answered, Click "Accept as Solution" .
12-13-2020 01:46 PM
What do you mean by the "special" version of the doctor? I did the HP Doctor and it does not address the downloading of the program without a CD. Only tells me there are no problems with my installation. The printer is installed, but I cannot access functions like scan, ink levels, or fax from my computer. Everytime I click on the icon, it wants be to install the computer. It's been done several times. It will not bring me to the "utilites" of the printer.
12-13-2020 02:06 PM
OK - I edited the post and removed the word "special". Ignore it.
The printer software is not installed correctly else it would not catch and balk when you try to use it.
There might be issues that the posted doctor version can fix.
If not, then you can manually check and remove all printer software, including any left over entries.
Printer Software – Blocked in Security Software
Check your Security Software to make sure the printer software is not being blocked. Most Security software will allow you to make an exception for applications / software you want to use on your computer.
If you make changes to the security software setup, Restart your computer and log in.
Uninstall Existing Printer Software (Full Feature Software)
Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features >
Find / Select > Uninstall the printer software
If software will not uninstall, appears to be removed and it “still hanging around”
Microsoft: Fix problems that block programs from being installed or removed
OR
Revo Uninstaller (Free version)
After the software is removed, Restart the computer and log in
Check and Remove Section
NOTE: After all checks > If any devices are removed, Restart the computer and log in
NOTE 2:
Can't stand it?
Too much to do?
At the least, check / remove printer from Devices and Printers as described below...
Check / Remove - Printer Drivers – Lurking in Devices and Printers
Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers
Left-Click on any unwanted Printer found in the Printers list
NEXT
(Top Ribbon) Click Print Server Properties > tab Drivers
Select each unwanted entry > Remove > OK to exit menu
Back in Devices and Printers > Right-Click on the printer > Remove Device
Check / Remove – Printer folder/files in C:\ ProgramData
Contributed by HP Support Agent Betty0610
Open File Explorer > Navigate to C:\ProgramData > Open folder Hewlett Packard
Delete any Printer related folders / files
Check / Remove - Printer Software – Lurking in the Device Manager
Control Panel > icon view > Device Manager
Expand category Printers
If any unwanted printer name or “Unknown Device” is listed,
Right-Click on the printer / device > Uninstall
Expand category Imaging Devices
If any unwanted printer name or “Unknown Device” is listed,
Right-Click on the printer / device > Uninstall
Check / Remove - Printer Software – Lurking in the User Account
Clear HP / files in Temp folder
Windows key + X + R (Run command) > type %temp%
Delete the files in the Temp folder (Ignore files that cannot be removed)
Clear HP Printer mention in AppData\Local\HP
Open File Explorer > Navigate to C:\Users\YourAccount\AppData\Local\HP
Remove / Delete any folder named for the printer you wish to remove
End Check and Remove Section
After all checks > If any devices are removed, Restart the computer and log in
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Thank you for participating in the HP Community.
Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.
Click Thumbs Up to say Thank You.
Question Resolved / Answered, Click "Accept as Solution" .