HP ENVY 5540 - How to disable the auto-off feature?

[xxxzz]

My HP ENVY 5540 all-in-one printer is connected to my (Win 7 64bit) HP computer by USB cable only. I do not use any of the wireless features of the printer.

If the computer goes into sleep mode for 2 hours or more the printer goes into "AUTO-OFF" mode.

When the computer is woken up the printer remains in "AUTO-OFF" mode. If I then send a job for printing, nothing happens.  It is then necessary to manually switch on the printer and wait for it to be ready and then it finally prints.

How can I disable the "AUTO-OFF" feature on the printer?

Please note: I have already tried going to the "Printer toolbox" advanced settings and attempted to change the pre-configured 2 hour setting. The software prevents me from changing the mandatory 2 hour time period and prevents me from disabling the auto-off feature, The screenprint below shows that I am only offered the options to accept the mandatory value or to cancel the change request - the blue-highlighted "2 hours" is non-configurable.

Default option cannot be modified

It appears from my reseach that many other users would like to disable the AUTO-OFF feature. Please advise me when/how HP will allow me to disable this unwanted feature.

Thanks & Regards

[A4Apollo]

Hey there! @xxxzz, Thanks for stopping by the HP Support Forums!

I understand you would like to change the sleep settings on your printer.

Don't worry I'll try to help you out.

Did you make any changes to your printer?

Excellent description and a great diagnosis done. It is greatly appreciated.

Try the steps recommended below.

Auto-Off

This feature turns the printer off after 2 hours of inactivity to help reduce energy use. Auto-Off turns the printer off completely, so you must use the Power button to turn the printer back on. If your printer supports this energy saving feature, Auto-Off is automatically enabled or disabled depending on printer capabilities and connection options. Even when Auto-Off is disabled, the printer enters Sleep mode after 5 minutes of inactivity to help reduce energy use. ● Auto-Off is enabled when the printer is turned on, if the printer does not have network or fax capability, or is not using these capabilities. ● Auto-Off is disabled when a printer’s wireless or Wi-Fi Direct capability is turned on or when a printer with fax, USB, or Ethernet network capability establishes a fax, USB, or Ethernet network connection.

Navigate to the Setup menu, and then check the energy settings.

Open the Setup menu, and then click Preferences. Click Schedule Off, Auto Power Off or Auto-off, depending on your printer model, and then change any settings, if necessary.

Refer this article to further troubleshoot Printer Turns Off Unexpectedly or Repeatedly. Click Here

If the issue still persists try updating firmware and check if it helps.

Update the printer firmware using this link. Click Here

Also, refer the printer user guide to know more information about the auto-off feature on printers. Click Here

Note: Refer page 17 for more information.

If the solution provided worked for you, please mark an accepted solution for this post.

Hope this answers your query!

Have a great day ahead! 🙂

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[xxxzz]

Thank you for taking the time to give such a comprehensive reply. Unfortunately your information does not provide the answer for my printer - I still cannot disable the AUTO-OFF feature. Here is a summary of my printer’s menus and the actions I have taken:

Under Setup --Preferences, there is no menu option for Schedule Off, Auto Power Off or Auto-off

Under Setup -- Power Handling, there is no menu option for Schedule Off, Auto Power Off or Auto-off. There are only two choices:

   One is for sleep mode (5, 10, or 15 minutes)

   Second is for power Button operation (enter sleep mode or turn off printer)

I have performed all the power-down suggestions.

I have updated the firmware (security update).

The printer is connected via USB directly to the computer not via any hub.

There are no other items connected to the printer.

Page 17 of the instructions (researched before intial posting) states “Auto-Off is disabled when a printer’s wireless or Wi-Fi Direct capability is turned on or when a printer with fax, USB, or Ethernet network capability establishes a fax, USB, or Ethernet network connection.” - the printer is connected via USB and the auto-off is not disabled.

As stated in my initial post (with picture) I am not able to make any change to the mandatory 2 hour auto-off feature if I try to use the HP software within Windows - the option for "change" does not permit any changes.

The problem would be solvable if the HP software option for “Change” would allow changes. There appears to be a problem with the HP software!

Problem not solved - thank you for your efforts so far.

[A4Apollo]

@xxxzz, Thanks for your quick response and time.

I appriciate your efforts you trying out the steps.

You did a Marvellous job by trying the steps recommended previously.

As I mentioned in my previous post the Auto-Off feature turns the printer off after 2 hours of inactivity to help reduce energy use. Auto-Off turns the printer off completely, so you must use the Power button to turn the printer back on. If your printer supports this energy saving feature, Auto-Off is automatically enabled or disabled depending on printer capabilities and connection options. Even when Auto-Off is disabled, the printer enters Sleep mode after 5 minutes of inactivity to help reduce energy use.

Try using the schedule off on the printer control panel and set the time when the printer needs to power off.

To create a schedule for Quiet Mode from the printer control panel

1. From the Home screen, touch Setup.

2. Touch Preferences, and then touch Quiet Mode.

3. Touch Off next to Quiet Mode to turn it on, and then touch OK to confirm.

4. Touch Off next to Schedule, and then change the start time and end time of the schedule.

Also, refer this video instruction from HP to know more about changing Auto off feature. Click Here

Hope this helps!

Take Care! 🙂

Please mark my post as accepted solution if you feel I have answered your query.

[xxxzz]

Thank you again for your response.

Problem not solved:

Unfortunately nothing in your follow-up explains how I can disable to AUTO-OFF feature.

Please note:

I do not have a problem with the sleep function.

I do not want to program a quiet mode.

I do not want to “schedule off” the printer.

I simply want to disable the AUTO-OFF feature, so that the printer is available at all times.

Thanks & Regards

[A4Apollo]

@xxxzz, I appriciate your efforts for writing back to us.

As you mentioned the issue still persists after trying out the steps.

Try performing a semi-full reset on your printer and check if it helps.

As the steps to perform a semi-full reset is confidential. I will share you the steps in a private message.

Please watch your inbox for more information.

Hope this helps!

Take Care! 🙂

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!