Error Code OW_4XX_OWSWS00001

[msjr]

This is a bit longer post, describing a solution of an error, so other people will find it in the confusing HP support system.

There is a solution I have found after a long battle with MFP 234dw printer, poorly programmed HP Smart app and no support from HP regarding Mac computers.

First, I have a good experience with HP multifunction and heavy duty printers in our company, but luckily none of these devices is using HP Smart app. So, I bought MFP 234dw for home use and it worked fine for like a month:

• I have made the HP account
• Changed the default printer pass on printer's settings web interface
• Logged in via HP Smart app (with poorly designed interface combining app and browser window)
• Printed via AirPrint without any problem
• Scanned via HP smart without any problem too

After that period the HP Smart app started to give a message "Setup not Completed", so I have tried to complete the setup, but the application gave:

• Error Code OW_4XX_OWSWS00001
• Error 404 on support pages
• A retarded message that HP Smart is suggesting that I install HP Smart to finish printer setup
• Other redirects to nonexisting HP pages, and could not find no local or a worldwide support

I would Ignore this, but a printer had a blinking i button and printing was not possible even through AirPrint as printer was stucked at the "Setup not Completed" mode. After a long battle I have found the solution:

• I have logged in to printer interface via IP (maybee a changed password caused the problem)
• I have updated printer firmware
• Then I reset the printer settings to factory default
• On both macs that were using the printer I have completely uninstalled the HP Smart application using AppCleaner (can be found on https://freemacsoft.net/appcleaner/)
• Then I have successfuly finished HP Smart Setup on first Mac
• After that I have started setup on second Mac and HP Smart asked for PIN wrongly identified as PIN at HP Smart QR code. The same PIN as default login passord to printer interface worked fine.
• I have succesfuly finished setup on second Mac too

Conclusion and questions for HP:

• Poorly designed application makes the terrible user experience, and the suggestion for HP - any printer and/or multifunction device should be usable without app installed (and without logging in to HP)
• The old firmware in printer caused a setup error a 404  support page(s) messages - a clear symptom of incompetence and no communication between support and developers
• I have succeded to install printer firmware via printerweb interface, how do you expect an average user to handle this as most of them even does not know how to access it via IP?

Hope that this message will help someone and maybee (ha ha) improve the HP applications and printer software.

[Dilip_18]

Hi@msjr,

Welcome to the HP Support Community! I'd like to help!

I appreciate your time and effort. Good to know that the issue is resolved. We appreciate and value your feedback. I have brought your issue to the attention of an appropriate team within HP.

Please feel free to contact us here anytime you need any further assistance.

Have a great day!

[KristyF3]

This issue is not resolved.  For 3 days I have been unable to connect via HP Smart to the internet.

I wish I could simply use this as a LOCAL printer only instead of being internet dependent to print my payroll, checks, etc.  Ridiculous that I cannot do that.

[sandytechy20]

@KristyF3

Welcome to the HP support community.

Provide the printer model number or the product number for further assistance.

Here is the link to find the product number:- Click here

Could you elaborate on the issue for better understanding?

[msjr]

Hello again,

The saga with HP LaserJet MFP M234dwe Printer on MacOS 12.0 Monterey continues.

The HP Spmart application has logged itself out of HP account. It recognizes the printer and once I start scanning it gives me an option to create account or sign in.

- Once I click sign in button the browser appears, but not with HP Smart but a google.com page (I have Chrome as default browser)

- If I change the page manually to HP Smart and login into HP Smart, I can see my printer page in browser, but application still has the rotating (loading) circle

So, (again and again) I can't login and therefore I can't use the printer.

- I wanted to contact support but I'm redirected to page where it is said that my printer is no longer supported and that I have still 20 months of warranty, but HP does not support this product anymore (HP ne servisira več tega izdelka. Možne rešitve lahko poiščete na tej spletni strani za podporo.)

So, I can't get a support for a printer.

Since the device is not usable, the only solution I see is that I return the device to HP.  Where can I return the device in Slovenia?

Thank you for your answer.

[msjr]

Found a solution (for now it works) for HP LaserJet MFP M234dwe Printer on MacOS 12.0 Monterey (with latest version of HP Smart from end of May 2022):

If you get a "loading circle" and a message that your login window and your default browser is not a Safari:

- close all applcations including your favourite browser

- open Safari and set as favourite, go to Safari -> Peferences -> click on Set Default...

- I don't know if this is needed, but quit Safari (Cmd + Q) 

- open HP Smart

- once asked to sign in, a (Safari) login window will appear

- success

But the story does not end here, I have scanned some (colour) pages and saved them from HP Smart into PDF. I wanted to print the scanned PDF later and printer didn't want to print it.

- I have sent a PDF to our office and tried to print with multifunciton, no success too.

- so I have opened PDF in Acrobat Professional, clicked edit and saved reduced file PDF

- success

Question: Why printer scans in format that it can not print???? Are you doing it intentionally to drive away non-professional customers?

Another question: My mac is getting old, what if I will not be able to update HP Smart? Buy a new computer? Where is HP sustainability then?

And finally: Why is not possible to scan (and use HP Smart application on my local network) if I'm not logged in to my HP Account (and/or online)?

Because of all that, the main question from previous rant still remain:  Where can I return the device in Slovenia? 

[sandytechy20]

@msjr

Welcome to the HP support community.

I have brought your issue to the attention of an appropriate team within HP. They will likely request information from you in order to look up your case details or product serial number. Please look for a private message from an identified HP contact. Additionally, keep in mind not to publicly post personal information (serial numbers and case details).

If you are unfamiliar with how the Community's private message capability works, you can learn about that here.

Thank you for visiting the HP Support Community.