HP5255 will only print from HP smart app

[TysaBigMayne]

I have had this printer work fine for nearly a year.

This printer will only print from the HP Smart app. No way else will it print or do anything.

When attempting to print straight from other applications it will not come up with an error and will not show any document in the print queue. The HP print and scan doctor does not fix this issue. The drivers are up to date and the HP Smart app and my computers settings does link to the printer.

I have tried relearning the printer to the network. I've hard reset and normal shut off and back on of printer and laptop. 

PLEASE HELP this is getting very difficult and time consuming.

[TysaBigMayne]

UPDATE:

It will also not print from usb link either.

[TysaBigMayne]

Another UPDATE:

HP scan doctor will also test print a page and finds no issue with the printer

[TysaBigMayne]

Another UPDATE:

It will not print from any COM port as well.

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@TysaBigMayne 

Welcome to the HP User Community.

I dislike mystery errors that do not include any useful message - it is  not important but it does leave more "doors open" about where to start.

OK - the source of the problem might be the printer software - or, more specifically, a "stuck" piece of printer software that is not working and not allowing you to move forward with a fix.  In General, the Doctor should catch these types of issues - not perfect software.

The source of the problem might be the connection type - this is something you can change before you starting trying other solutions - changing the connection type to TCP/IP might work or the results might just sit there as if you did nothing useful.

This is a recommended "try and see" suggestion...

Method – Add printer using TCP/IP

Please try adding the printer using the printer’s IP address

Find the IP Address of the printer on the Printer Control / Display Panel (touch Wireless button)

Control Panel > icon view Devices and Printers

Click in the top ribbon, Add a Printer

Wait till the menu starts…
Select / Click The printer that I want isn’t listed
Select / Click Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname

Select / Click Next
Device Type > Select in Drop-Down Menu:  TCP/IP Device

Hostname or IP Address > Enter the IP Address of the printer

(Skip Port Name)

Select / Click Next

Continue and answer prompts

OR

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:

Find the printer's IPv4 address

Print a Configuration Page

OR

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

Control Panel, from Devices and Printers

Right-Click the printer and Left-Click Printer Properties

Tab Ports

Click Add Port

Select Standard TCP/IP Port

Select New Port and follow the instructions

Type in the correct 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)

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

What else?

If you have not done so,

Try / Consider

Check whether Windows Updates is "pending" a Restart or needs to have updates installed (run Check Updates).

If any Windows updates are installed, Restart the computer and log in.

Next,

If you have not done so, consider updating the Printer Firmware

HP OfficeJet 5200 All-in-One Printer series Firmware Update 

Next,

• Completely uninstall the printer software  - if you have tried to do this previously and the software would not fully uninstall, use one of the Uninstallers (Windows or Revo Free).
• Run through the places where printer software "bits" might hide out - extract / delete any pieces you find
• Restart the computer and log in
• Install a fresh copy of the Full Feature Software

Uninstall Existing Printer Software (Full Feature Software)

Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features >

Find / Select > Uninstall the printer software

Restart the computer and log in

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

Check and Remove Section

Reminder: After all checks > If any changes are made > Restart the computer and log in

Check / Remove - Printer Drivers – Lurking in Devices and Printers

Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers

Left-Click on any unwanted Printer found in the Printers list

(Top Ribbon) Click Print Server Properties > tab Drivers

Select each unwanted entry > Remove > OK to exit menu

Back in Devices and Printers > Right-Click on the printer > Remove Device

Check / Remove – Printer folder/files in C:\ ProgramData

Open File Explorer > Navigate to C:\ProgramData > Open folder Hewlett Packard

Delete any Printer related folders / files

Check / Remove - Printer Software – Lurking in the Device Manager

Control Panel > icon view > Device Manager

Expand category Printers

If any unwanted printer name or “Unknown Device” is listed,

Right-Click on the printer / device > Uninstall

Expand category Imaging Devices

If any unwanted printer name or “Unknown Device” is listed,

Right-Click on the printer / device > Uninstall

Check / Remove  - Printer Software – Lurking in the User Account

Clear HP / files in Temp folder

Windows key + X + R (Run command) > type %temp%

Delete the files in the Temp folder (Ignore files that cannot be removed)

Open File Explorer > Navigate to C:\Users\YourAccount\AppData\Local\HP

Remove / Delete any folder named for the printer you wish to remove

Manual Queue Reset

Details…

Control Panel > icon view > Administrative Tools > Services

Scroll down, find, Right-Click, and Stop Print Spooler Service

Open File Explorer (formally Windows Explorer)

Navigate to the folder and Delete the files from folder C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS

Back in Services …

Start Print Spooler Service

End Check and Remove Section

After all checks are completed > Restart the computer and log in

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

Next,

Install the Printer Software...

Printer Software installation package - Information and Download

HP OfficeJet 5200 All-in-One Print and Scan Driver and Accessories 

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

• If using VPN, shut it off to install software
• If the printer software is already installed, uninstall it from Programs and Features > Restart the computer and log in
• 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)
• Reminder:  If using USB cable between printer and computer, disconnect the cable before installing software.
• Right-Click on the installation package and “Run as Administrator”
• If using Easy Start > When asked, opt for "Full Driver" (exact wording might vary).
• If using Easy Start > Skip any extra software / offers you do not want (wording varies).
• After the software is installed, Restart the computer and log in

NOTES

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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 5255 All-in-One Printer 

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

Click Helpful = Yes to say Thanks!

Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"

[TysaBigMayne]

YES!! Deleting all the files, drivers and printer spool queue and reinstalling the software did the trick!!

Thank you so very much!!

[Dragon-Fur]

@TysaBigMayne 

You are welcome.

Glad it's resolved.

Happy 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 Thanks!

Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"