HP OfficeJet Pro 6968 Basic Driver Installation

[Blitzred]

I've used the OfficeJet pro for a couple years without issue. About a week ago whenever I opened up the basic app it kept starting the connect device/install. 

I have no interest in HP Smart - especially since I just want to scan documents to PDF format to my computer from my own printer/scanner. I don't want my documents going through the cloud just to get onto my own desktop

I uninstalled all drivers and reinstalled the All in one Package - I can go through setup fine, however on activation (step 3) it keeps shoehorning me into getting the 'latest software'. Only button available is "get software". This leads it to trying to download HP smart; exit out of it and I'm back to square one in setting up printer.

Now I can print fine and using a differant utility, like HP Scan and Capture, works ok for now. Just not as nice as the scanner options was before

Is there any way I can just use the basic drivers for scan and printing? Differant app or utility is fine, even 3rd party, I just want a simple print and scan function w/o all the linked HP smart stuff. Any help is appreciated

[Dragon-Fur]

@Blitzred 

Welcome to the HP Community.

The device connection error likely means the printer is not able to connect to the software.

Some things to add to your list of Try / Consider

• Change the printer connection type to TCP/IP
• Consider assigning a manual / static IP address for your printer
• Run the Offline version of the Doctor to help check / resolve any residual connection / installation issues with the printer software

Details / How-to / Examples

Method - Create TCP IP port

** Install – Optional - Port Issues - Create a TCP/IP port **

TCP/IP can resolve odd connection, scanning, and installation problems.

Create / Switch to a TCP/IP Port to facilitate communication and prevent ‘offline’ issues

How-to “Create TCP Port” Contributed by  greenturtle:

Print a Configuration Page to get the printer's IPv4 address  

      OR Tap on the wireless icon on the Front panel of your Printer to get the IP address

On your PC, Open Control Panel, from Devices and Printers, Right-Click the printer and Left-Click Printer Properties, select the Ports tab.

Click Add Port > Select Standard TCP/IP Port > Select New Port and follow the wizard.

Type in the proper IP address for the printer.

How-to “Create TCP Port” Video Contributed by  greenturtle
Create & Use TCP IP port

Note that you can ALWAYS revert back to the original port that the HP software installed by selecting the HP port within the Ports tab (in Printer Properties)

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Manual / Static IP Address

Wireless Printing Center – Static IP Address

AND

Wireless Printing Center > Common Questions > Wireless Connection Issues

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The Doctor

If you want to try a relatively hands-free "fixit" solution,

Download and run the "Offline" version of the Doctor.

Resource – Choose the right doctor for the job

Open Website

HP Print and Scan Doctor for Windows

Click the green Download Now option / box

Wait!

If the problem / issue is one or more of

• Printer is Offline
• Cannot print in Color
• Duplex printing has disappeared
• Installation continues to fail

Try this “Offline” Doctor version:

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/printers/hppsdr/patches/HPPSdr.exe

After the doctor runs, Restart the computer and log in.

Doctor will finish any necessary setups.

NOTES – The “Offline” doctor

As a result of repairing issues,

Offline / Color check / Duplex check version of the Doctor may replace the printer or add a “(Copy 1)” version of the driver in Devices and Printers.

If there are two printers in Devices and Printers,

If one of them does not work,

Try sending your job to the “Copy 1” named printer.

Later

If you want / need to rename the “Copy 1” printer:

Open Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers

Right-Click on the printer name > Printer Properties > Tab General >

In the top box, Edit the name of the printer (For example, remove the part that says “Copy 1”)

Click Apply / OK to save change

NOTE:  The name change may take a bit of time (a few minutes), else Restart the computer and log in.

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What about HP Smart?

HP Smart supports use of Cloud services when you choose to "Share" (email) scanned content.

Yes, Cloud service is also used when you choose to scan to a Cloud storage depot.

HP Smart can certainly save scanned content directly to your local computer.

Yes, you do have to sign into the application.

True - Use of the application is voluntary.

Reference

HP Printers - How to Scan

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HP Printer Support 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, Manuals > User Guides, Product Information (Specifications), more

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

HP OfficeJet Pro 6968 All-in-One Printer 

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