HP Smart has no option for tray selection and prints vertical black line from 2nd page

[T_V_B]

Hi, I recently got this OfficeJet Pro 7740 and it keeps prompting me to install HP Smart, which I did. 

But I have a few issues with the app -  there is no option to select the tray which I want to print from, it is rather important for me as I have two types of A4 paper, one tray contains a thicker A4 paper which I use to print menus and the other tray contains normal A4 paper for everything else I print. So I need the option to select the tray before printing either.

Also, when I print from the app and I print more than 1 page, all the pages from the second page onwards, has this vertical black line on the left side, which caused me to waste a lot of paper and then had to print 30 menus page for page since the first page does not print this vertical line.

So after struggling like this for a week, I decided to install the HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 series PCL - 3 version 20.79.01.6733 driver, which helped a lot as it does not print a vertical black line when printing more than one page and it gives me the option to select the tray every time.

BUT even though I set this as my default printer and setup all the printing preferences (paper size A4, paper source main tray, grayscale on, etc.), every time my PC is shut down and reboots, these settings change back to the original (paper size letter, paper source printer selects, grayscale off, layout, etc.).

"Let Windows manage my default printer" is not selected and I have uninstalled HP Smart plenty of times without reinstalling it, but then it returns after reboot and HP Smart is again set as the default printer option. The app itself is not even actually installed, but it appears under "Printers & scanners" in the settings menu as the default, when I click on 'manage' the 'printing preferences' a window pops up asking "You'll need to install the HP Smart app from the Microsoft Store to print documents with this driver. Do you want to find this app now?" I will select 'no' but a "HP Smart Printing" window will still open with only a few printing settings - very limited (pages per sheet, copy, collate, orientation, paper size & page order, no tray selection, no color selection).

Please advise on what I  can do as HP Smart is clearly not what I need and I cannot get rid of it, but the other driver is not saving any of my settings.

[Dragon-Fur]

@T_V_B 

Welcome to the HP Community Forum.

Edit / Update -

Add HP Smart app example - Print document

Correct Image Example

HP Smart and HP Smart Printing are different entities.

Yeah, I know - HP has an inordinate fondness for "Smart" names.

True - the best option is to install the Full Driver printer software.

The Full Driver can be installed in addition (or to the exclusion) of installing the HP Smart application.

Smart Printing is a driver queue that does reside in Devices and Printers.

True - Once installed, Smart Printing will come back.

HP Smart Printing is not tied to the printer hardware.

What to do?

The following example shows how to pre-select which driver to use with the printer in Printer Properties.

You can also select the preferred driver (in the Printer list) during job submission -- this is true for using HP Smart or when using other programs to print (for example, printing from within Word).

9025_Printer_Properties_Advanced_Driver_List_7

Example - Full Driver installed - Printing from Word - select the HP Smart Printing driver

NOTE:  If you do NOT want to use HP Smart Printing, select the HP named driver in the Printer List.

HP_Smart_Win_Word_Smart-Printing_Sample_2

Example - HP Smart - Windows - Print Documents > Simple PDF Print

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References / Resources

Example - Parts to the Printer Software

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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 OfficeJet Pro 7740 Wide Format All-in-One Printer series 

Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

Click Helpful = Yes to say Thank You

Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"

[T_V_B]

Thank you Drafon-Fur for you answer, but everything you have explained below is literally my everyday step by step process, to again set the default printer as the PCL 3 driver and not HP Smart Printing, again select all the preferences in the Printer Properties.

Everyday I have to go to Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Devices and Printers, remove HP Smart Printing and select HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 as the default, Printing Preferences reset all of my settings.

It is a lot of work to reset all of my "default" settings everyday and wish that there was an easier way to save these settings. Not sure why it resets all my settings back to factory when the PC is switched off. Wish I could remove HP Smart Printing completely from the drive, never having it return and having to reset default printers, reset page size, etc. So much for smart.

[Dragon-Fur]

@T_V_B 

You are welcome.

Removing the HP Smart Printing driver is not working -- consider dropping that step from your procedure.

I've not seen what you describe -- I cannot explain how, having removed the default queue control from Windows, the default printing device would change.  HP Smart Printing driver aside, losing the default printer selection seems odd.

Printing Preferences is (as you know) different from Printer Properties. 

• Driver is selected in Printer Properties
• Preferred Settings (Shortcuts or Presets) for the driver are managed in Printing Preferences

Losing the preferred / default Shortcut in the HP named driver and Printing Preferences seems unusual.

Neither can I explain losing the preferred / default Preset in HP Smart Printing driver and Printing Preferences.

I suggest you adjust both the Shortcut and Preset in Printing Preferences and the Preset to the same default.

If I come across anything other than fully unloading the software and the app and then reloading, I'll post back.

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

Details / Examples

Set the standard / preferred Preset in HP Smart Printing to General Everyday Printing

Set the standard / preferred Shortcut in Printing Preferences to General Everyday Printing

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

For those reading - Shortcuts and Presets

• Both Printing Preferences and the default setup for HP Smart Printing use the concept of a preferred Shortcut.
• HP Smart Printing uses the term "Preset" to describe standard and customer settings built into -- and added to -- the printer software.

Example - Printing Preferences > Shortcut = General Everyday Printing > Optional Custom Shortcut setup

9025_Printing_Preferences_Everyday_5

Example - HP Smart Printing > Preset = General Everyday Printing

Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

Click Helpful = Yes to say Thank You

Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"

[T_V_B]

I know it sounds ridiculous that the PC keeps losing the default printer selection, but it is true. Not after restarting the PC, but after it was shut down for some time, I can restart and everything is as it is suppose to be, but after shutdown and reboot the next morning, I have to do all of it again. See my video below.

I have also done the custom printing shortcuts, but the PC forgets those as well after shutdown. 

[Dragon-Fur]

@T_V_B 

Yes, it is odd that restarting the machine does not force a change in default printer but shutting down for a period of time does so.

Ideas:

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Windows Updates and Default Printer

Check that Windows Updates are current and installed.

AND

Check that Windows is not controlling the Default Printer.

Preparation > Check / enable the printer as the “Default Printer”

Settings > Devices > Printers and scanners

UNCHECK (clear box) Let Windows manage my default printer

Select (Left-Click) your printer from the list of printers > Manage > Set as Default

Reminder:

If you uninstall / reinstall the printer software, check / adjust the Default Printer after the software is installed.

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Fast Start

If you are running Fast Start, switch it off (at least for now).

Yeah, but...

If you miss the few seconds saved by letting Windows boot from a saved data set, switch the Fast Start feature on after other issues have been resolved (or you can't stand it anymore).

Switch off / on Fast Start

Fast Start uses a "saved configuration" to more quickly start your computer.  

This is great until "something" is saved that should have been discarded during the boot sequence.

Switching off the option forces the computer to boot from the Windows Operating System and File System on the disk.

Windows 10

Settings   > System > Power and Sleep > Additional Power Settings

Choose what the power buttons do

Click Change settings that are currently unavailable 

Remove Check (clear box) Turn on fast startup (recommended)

Save Changes

Windows 11 or Windows 10

Control Panel > icon view > Power Options

Choose what the power buttons do

Click Change settings that are currently unavailable 

Remove Check (clear box) Turn on fast startup (recommended)

Save Changes

Next,

Close programs (for example, browsers, games, email) and close any open windows

Next,

Windows key + X + A (opens Cmd prompt as Admin)

Next,

When the command window opens, type / paste the following command and hit Enter:

shutdown /s /t 0

• Wait for the computer to shut down completely (a few seconds)
• Boot the computer > Log in > Wait around for a couple of minutes (yes, wait, do not rush) >
• Try shutting down the notebook from Windows key > Power

Optional - personal choice:

Switch ON the fast startup setting.

Dragon-Fur NOTE:

• Business Notebooks > Fast Boot setup may be enabled / disabled in the BIOS

Shut down the workstation > Power on, immediately tap-tap-tap F10 to enter the BIOS >

Advanced > Boot Options >

Check / Uncheck Fast boot > Save and exit

OR

Elevated command prompt - run the following command:

REG ADD "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Power" /V HiberbootEnabled /T REG_dWORD /D 0 /F

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HP Smart Application - Windows

Reset -- or perhaps better -- Uninstall / Reinstall the HP Smart application in Apps and Features

If the HP Smart application is already installed and it is not working as expected,

Try an application Reset --

Note:  The Reset removes the data from the app > Start HP Smart > Sign in using your HP Account credentials > "Add Printer"

HP_Smart_Win_Apps-and-Features_ Reset_2

If the Reset fails to help,

Uninstall the app from Apps and Features > Restart the computer and log in > "Get" a copy of the app from the  Microsoft Store

Note:  Uninstall / Install of the app requires > Start HP Smart > Sign in using your HP Account credentials > "Add Printer"

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Uninstall / Reinstall the Full Feature Software

Short Version - Install Printer Software

If the full driver printer software is (already) installed but not working,

• Uninstall any printer software from Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features
• Restart the computer and sign in.

Next,

• Check (for the Printer) in Devices and Printers  > If found, Right-Click Printer and Remove -- If any changes are made, that is, you remove anything, Restart the computer and sign in.

Next,

• If using a printer USB cable between the printer and the computer, disconnect the cable before installing the printer software.
  

• Download and Save the Full Feature Software installation package or the Easy Start Software
• Install a fresh copy of the Full Feature Software / Full Driver printer software
• If using a printer USB cable between the printer and the computer, connect the cable when instructed (near the end of the installation).
• Restart the computer and log in

Details / How-to / Examples

Provided FYI - Use or discard as suits your situation.

If you are sure the full driver is not installed

AND / OR

If you do not need the extra information provided in the first sections,

(then) Skip down to section Printer Software

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Preparation

>>> Check / Install the Full Feature Software / full driver printer software

The full driver provides the foundation on which other programs and printing software depend.

The driver includes HP Scan – HP Scan supports scanning / saving / printing your scan content.

If you have not done so,

In addition to the HP Smart application,

Install the Full Feature Software / full driver printer software for the printer.

HP Smart and other print software / applications benefit from having the full driver installed.

Make sure your VPN is switched Off when installing the HP Smart application or the printer software.

Printer Software Check - Is the full driver printer software installed?

Notes

When the full driver printer software is installed,

Find the printer software listed in Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features.

The installation of the full printer software adds shortcut icons to the Desktop.

• The Printer Assistant is named for the printer and provides access to Print , Scan , and Tools
• HP Scan is named for itself and provides a direct call to the HP Scan software.
• Where supported, when installed as part of the HP Smart application, HP Smart Printing is a modern style print driver that supports printing for Images and Documents.

Programs_and_Features_Printer_Desktop_Icons_9

Next...

If… Installed Software is out of date or is not working

NOTE:  If the printer software shows installed but is not working as expected, remove and reload the software.

NOTE:  Windows 11

Windows Start > Search for Control Panel and open

Uninstall the printer software from Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features

Restart the computer and log in

What if?

If software will not uninstall, appears to be removed and is “still hanging around” after you uninstall / Restart...

Microsoft:  Fix problems that block programs from being installed or removed

OR

Revo Uninstaller (Free version)

then

Restart the computer and log in

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

Next,

Install a fresh copy of the Full Feature Software / Full Driver printer software

Restart the computer and log in

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Printer Software

Basic Instructions - Install the Full Feature Software / Full Driver printer software

Preparation

• If the printer software is still / already installed, Uninstall the printer software  from Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features > Restart the computer and log in – Reference Uninstall HP printer software and drivers

>>> After the printer software is uninstalled, check that the printer is not still lurking in Devices and Printers. 

 If the printer is listed, Right-Click on the printer and "Remove" > Restart the computer and sign in.

• If using VPN, shut it off to install software.  NOTE >> If you don’t know what this is, you are not using a VPN – ignore this part.

• Reminder:  If using USB cable between printer and computer, disconnect the cable before installing software.  Later... Connect the cable when instructed (near the end of the installation procedure).

• Observation:  It is possible (assuming your Wireless Network is stable) that using a Wireless connection to install the printer software might work better than using an Ethernet Connection.   Personal choice - the Wireless connection method is recommended when you face insurmountable issues installing the software.

Installation

• Download and Save the Full Feature Software installation package or the Easy Start Software
• Open File Explorer
• Navigate to the folder in which you saved the installation file  (likely Downloads)
• Right-Click on the installation package and “Run as Administrator”
• If using a printer USB cable between the printer and the computer, connect the cable when instructed (near the end of the installation).
• After the software is installed, Restart the computer and log in

If using Easy Start

• Skip any extra software / offers you do not want – Wording varies as does the number of times you have to “skip” or opt-out of various options.
• When asked, opt for "Full Software and Drivers" (exact wording might vary).
• Easy_Start_Full_Driver_2

• If, after the Full Software and Drivers option is selected, the installation terminates (suddenly stops and disappears – never comes back): Open your Downloads folder > Look for and Right-Click on the full Web installation package and “Run as Administrator”

NOTES

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Preparation > Check / enable the printer as the “Default Printer”

Settings > Devices > Printers and scanners

UNCHECK (clear box) Let Windows manage my default printer

Select (Left-Click) your printer from the list of printers > Manage > Set as Default

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Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

Click Helpful = Yes to say Thank You

Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"