HP Easy Start STUCK at "Loading HP Account"

[Cal_Petersen]

After downloading HP Easy Start 15.2.7 to set up my MFP M140we printer and going through the setup, I get stuck at the step where it says "Loading HP account..."  (of note, the installer has NOT yet asked me to log in with any kind of HP account).  Screenshot below:

Needless to say, I and most users don't want to have to link an HP account just to use the printer we're buying, or to allow HP to track us or advertise to us in any way.  It adds insult to injury when HP's tracking/advertising software is so buggy that it won't even install and let me use my printer.  HP should care about its customers instead of its immediate cash flow and make this buggy software optional. 

Furthermore, prior to this screen, HP's software uses Orwellian psychological manipulation to try to make us not buy cheaper toner/ink.  This is obviously not legally binding and is pure psychological trickery.

I've left it at this screen for hours, tried restarting my computer, tried unplugging the printer for a few minutes and reconnecting it as this page (https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Printer-Setup-Software-Drivers/HP-Smart-stuck-at-loading-HP-account/td...) indicates (printer is also plugged directly into the wall rather than through an extension cable, which that page says matters, bizarrely).

The printer is on my WiFi network and was found by the installer in a previous step just fine.  It also had me enter in the PIN that's written on the label that has the serial number.  My computer is a Surface Laptop 8 running Windows 11.

Oh, and the HP Virtual Assistant is stuck at "I am looking for additional information related to your device" when I tried to chat with the AI agent (much good that would likely do).

[Dragon-Fur]

@Cal_Petersen 

Welcome to the HP Community Forum.

This is an HP+ printer as shown at the HP Store

HP LaserJet M140we Printer with HP+ and 6 Months Instant Ink 

HP+ is part of the printer purchase - and the service does include certain requirements and responsibilities.

The Community cannot change the requirements.

HP+ > Benefits, Requirements, Your Responsibilities

READ about HP+ here:

HP+ Printing – Website / Information / FAQ

If you wish to do so, you can contact the HP+ Support team.

The contact information is at the home page for your printer:

HP LaserJet M140we Printer  

OR

Printer and  HP+ service

Contact HP+ Support

I've forwarded your comments to our moderator team.

Request for Review – Please Read

A request has been submitted to our Community moderators for review and possible escalation of your question.

Worth Noting

• Our Community is a peer-to-peer user group.
• We are not HP Technical Support -- We are not associated with HP Sales, Service, or Warranty.
• Our request for assistance on your behalf does not guarantee HP will respond nor does our request influence the outcome.
• The time frame (how long it takes) to receive a response from HP is not controlled by the Community.

Important

• Do not contact phone or email posted in a public or private message from “new” members.

• Please do not post any personal information in the Community.  We are a public resource.

=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=

HP Printer Home Page - References and Resources

Learn about your Printer  - Solve Problems

“Things that are your printer”

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

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, Manuals > User Guides, Product Information (Specifications), Supplies, and more

Open

HP LaserJet M140we Printer  

Thank you for participating in the HP Community --

People who own, use, and support HP devices.

Click Yes to say Thank You

Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"

[sandytechy20]

@Cal_Petersen

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.