HP Smart desktop app

[thekittycatmama]

Hi everyone, new here,

I've all of a sudden realised the HP Smart app is not working.  I'm opening it and it's blank, nothing appears.  I've now uninstalled it for now.  The printer (HP Officejet 5200 series) works but not the app.  This is strange as it used to work perfectly well.

Can anyone suggest anything please?  Many thanks.

[Dragon-Fur]

@thekittycatmama 

Welcome to the HP Community --

There are a few things that can result in a blank start screen in HP Smart -- one of the more common is having set your computer's display to Dark Mode.  HP Smart sometimes fights with this setting and loses -- a plain white menu where the app should be displayed is the result.  What to expect and what to try are explained later in this message - scroll down to -- NOTES - Dark and Gloomy --

Another common reason for odd behavior involves using a VPN -- normally (sometimes?)  HP Smart can operate in a VPN environment.  That said, during the first install / setup, the application cannot connect if you have your VPN switched ON.   If you are using VPN, switch it OFF.  If you don't know what an of this means, you are not using a VPN.

============================

HP App / HP Smart - Windows - Application - Details / How-to / FAQ / NOTES

HP Smart / HP App is an application that supports print and scan for PDF and Photos / Images.   In an HP+ enabled printer or one of a select non-HP+ printers, premium scan features are added to the application.

The HP Smart application is available in the Microsoft Store

Search the site for "HP Smart"

Not your store?

Scroll to the bottom of the page and Select the Language / Location

AND / OR

For HP Smart / HP App

Go to

123.hp.com - Printer setup from the HP® Official site

OR

   Open the Product Homepage for your printer >  Product Home - Printers

Next,

Open Category Software & Drivers

Section Install HP Smart / HP App (as listed / available) to complete setup and support

-- Be Aware –

Any HP application you install should be sourced from “HP”.

What?  Fakes have been discovered on at least one Mobile App Store –

Check who is providing the application >> “HP Inc.”

If you can’t tell, ask for help or use the Homepage method to download and install the HP Smart / HP App application.

Instructions...

>>> How to Use >>>    HP printer setup (HP App) 

>>> Terms of Use >>>  HP Smart – formally HP Connected – Services Terms of Use

-- NOTES - Dark and Gloomy --

• If you are running High Contrast or “Dark Mode” and the app will not open at all, try switching to None (for contrast) or “Light” for mode. 
• After the application opens, set up the printer –
• Later, if you wish to do so, try setting the mode back to your preferred setting.

References - Windows 11

Settings > Accessibility > Contrast Themes >> Switch to None

Settings > Personalization > Colors > Choose your mode = Light

 Settings_Personalization_Colors_Dark_Light_Mode_Contrast_Themes_3

Next,

The Small Print – Tedious and Important

NOTE >> Some settings are the same for HP Smart and its eventual replacement application HP App.  Settings might serve the same purpose and might be located in different places within the HP App.

• Read the Terms of Use document to understand the conditions of using HP Smart / HP App products.  For example, in the HP Smart application, find the link in HP Smart > Settings (gear) > About > Click on the link for Terms of Use
• Read HP printer setup (HP App) >> Read FAQ - including - What are the requirements to set up a printer using the HP App?
• If using VPN >>Disconnect from Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection before downloading.
• Turn on Wi-Fi on your computer or mobile device and connect to your network. If the computer is connected to the network with an Ethernet cable, temporarily disconnect the cable and use the Wi-Fi connection during the setup.
• Enable Bluetooth (on your computer) at least for the initial HP Smart / HP App setup: Enable Bluetooth on your computer or mobile device so that HP Smart / HP App can detect the printer during the setup.  Source: How to scan with an HP printer > FAQ > Why can't I connect my wireless printer or scan over the network?
• HP Smart / HP App requires that you sign into the application using your HP Account credentials.
• When working through a Browser to access HP Smart / HP App, be sure you have Cookies enabled.  If cookies are enabled and you are having trouble, clear Cache and Cookies.   And / Or … Try a different Browser – assign that Browser as the Default. (Note:  Chrome not working?  Use / Assign a different default Browser.)
• Ensure that Network and Sharing are enabled. 
  • Example Settings > Network & internet > Advanced Network Settings > Advanced sharing settings
  • Private Network > Network discovery = ON
  • Checked “Set up network connected devices automatically”
  • File and printer sharing = ON
• Where possible, HP Smart / HP App might benefit having the Full Feature Software / full driver printer software installed.  For example, full driver provides access to Shortcuts and Printing Preferences.
• “Share” to email – Before using Share, add your sender email address to the standard Windows Mail application (not New Outlook).

• Document includes the HP Smart / HP App application download links for Windows and Mobile devices, plus an FAQ section to assist with questions / issues.

Help Here:  Unable to download and install the HP app

and

Check / Update >> Every device (computer(s) and / or mobile) where HP Smart / HP App is installed should be running the latest version of the application available for that device platform (Operating System / Version).

-- What else? --

If all else fails and you have had the application installed and working previously, try resetting the App.

The app reset removes the application’s data.

===================================

Windows - Reset HP Smart Application

This action removes the app data without uninstalling the application.

Settings > Apps > Installed Apps

Search / Find HP Smart in the apps list

Open Advanced options > Reset the app

Restart the computer and log in

Open HP Smart > Sign in > Add Printer(s)

What if?

If the app Reset does not work by itself,

then

Uninstall the HP Smart App and start over.

Restart the computer and log in

“Get” a new copy of the HP Smart application:

 Microsoft Store or 123.hp.com - Printer setup from the HP® Official site

Open HP Smart > Sign in > Add Printer(s)

Reference

Uninstall HP printer software and drivers / HP Smart

[thekittycatmama]

Thank you so much for your quick and long response.  My VPN was turned off deliberately and I installed the HP Smart app from the MS store as always.  What I'll do now is uninstall the printer and refresh it, see if that works.  The weird thing, this has never happened before.  Also my PC/laptop isn't in dark mode.  Thanks again for your response, I'll keep trying.

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@thekittycatmama 

You are welcome.

I am overly fond of the written word, I think.

If not tried, consider the App Reset -- After removing the printer from the app -- and removing the app itself, the Reset is a good way to clean out hidden (or stuck) bits in your Windows account that might need to be refreshed with you next installation of HP Smart / HP App.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community --

Real people who own, use, and support HP devices.

Click Yes to say Thank You for the help !

Question / Concern Answered, Click my Post "Accept as Solution"

[thekittycatmama]

Thank you again for your response.  I've now realised the look of the apps have now changed so will leave it.  Thanks for your help and I'll revisit the problem at a later date.

Have a good day.