Embedded Web Server (EWS) timeout possibly because of antivirus software

[MrJames85]

Hi. Not really an issue anymore for me - I managed to solve this. But I wanted to share some info and it was not possible to answer to an old topic anymore. (Maybe a moderator can move/link this answer to other topics that had similar issues.)

I have an HP Officjet 5742 which worked fine until I upgraded my OS from windows 7 to 11. After some issues with the scan app (that I solved with the Print & Scan doctor app ... it was because of the IP that I could not update manually) I tried to fix a bug with the embedded web server that I encountered when trying to fix the other issue (When googling I found people recommending to use the embedded web server to scan - had not used the web interface in ages.)

I encountered the problem described here: https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Printer-Setup-Software-Drivers/https-timeout-and-Embedded-Web-Server-H...

Might also be related to here: https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Printing-Errors-or-Lights-Stuck-Print-Jobs/HP-Officejet-Pro-8600-acces...

(If the later version maybe use https / SSL be default for all pages.) It is an SSL error.

I use the AVG Free anvitirus softwere. When disabling it (live protection) the web server works again (proceeding to the browser warning where I can add an exception for the self-signed certificate of the printer). Odd that AVG (maybe other virus software as well - not sure what the people that posted the other issues use) blocks the secure connection without giving any notification ... when usually the browser throws a notification. This only seems to be the case with direct access per IP typed into the browser.

Had this issue with my router where I use a self-signed certificate with an own (self-signed) Certificate Authority (CA) where at the URL (router has own domain name in the internal network) it proceeds with no warnings. For putting in the IP (that is as well included in the certificate) AVG does not block me completely but it messes with the cert and throws a browser cert warning. (With AVG disabled it proceeds without warning.)

When adding an own trusted cert (with my own trusted CA) into the printer printer works fine again ... just throwing the warning (that it should not) with AVG enabled - at least I can access it. No warning with AVG disabled.

For the not trusted certificate + access by IP it seems to totally block before the browser can even give a warning. I might report this to AVG as well since it obviously is there problem lol. Hope this can help people that google for a similar issue.

[Sneha_01]

Hi @MrJames85,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

Thank you for sharing your experience and solution with the Embedded Web Server (EWS) timeout issue on your HP OfficeJet 5742. It’s valuable to know that antivirus software like AVG can sometimes interfere with secure connections to printers, especially when self-signed certificates are involved.

Here’s a summary of your findings and a guide for others who might encounter similar issues:

Issue Summary:

• Problem: The Embedded Web Server (EWS) of the HP OfficeJet 5742 was timing out after upgrading the OS from Windows 7 to Windows 11.
• Cause: The timeout issue was caused by AVG Free antivirus software interfering with the secure connection to the printer’s web server.

Solution:

Disable Antivirus Temporarily: Disabling live protection in AVG allowed access to the EWS, indicating that the antivirus was blocking the secure connection.

Add Exception for Self-Signed Certificate: When AVG is disabled, you can proceed with accessing the EWS by adding an exception for the self-signed certificate of the printer in your browser.

Custom Certificate: Adding a custom, trusted certificate to the printer (from your own Certificate Authority) resolved the issue, allowing access to EWS without warnings, even with AVG enabled.

Browser Warning: With AVG disabled, the browser will present the typical security warning for self-signed certificates, but the connection is still accessible.

Antivirus Reporting: It’s suggested to report this issue to AVG as it seems their software is blocking the connection before the browser can display its own warning.

 

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support