HP9020 Series - EasyStart: Installation Software & Full/Basic Driver fails performing network check

[Second_Chance]

Hello,

I recently purchased an HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e All-in-One Printer but am unable to complete the installation of the EasyStart Software & Drivers for a wired or wireless printer connection, although a USB connection works fine with the same downloaded software/drivers package.

Seeking to avoid the irrevocable vendor lock-in and online connection requirements associated with the HP+/Instant Ink service and Smart software, I opted to install the alternative HP OfficeJet Pro 9020 All-in-One EasyStart Printer Setup Software from the HP website. This would also enable me to use the older HPScan app which I understand is superior to the scanning application now included in HP Smart.

The Software and Driver package downloads OK to the PC, but during the latter stages of the initial installation, and on subsequent manual attempts to connect to the printer from the downloaded software (Connection Options in setup.exe), the setup stalls .... apparently at the point where the program is performing a final check for the printer on my home LAN. The installation will not continue beyond this window, and I'm forced to cancel out of the Network Check " Checking network environment ..." screen. 

The installation failure occurs (using either Automatic or Manual connection options in setup.exe) whenever the printer is connected by wired ethernet or a wireless network. However, I know the printer is correctly connected to my home LAN since I can simultaneously access its Embedded Web Server, from a browser on the same PC, at the assigned ethernet or wireless IP address.

One thing I've noticed, is that the wired/wireless installation Network Check "Checking network environment ...." will begin to run and increment the green progress bar immediately if the printer is powered OFF (although, of course, it will still eventually fail to "find" the printer). With the printer ON and connected to the LAN, the Network Check does not even begin to run the progress bar but hangs/stalls immediately .... as if it's detected the Printer on the LAN but doesn't like something!  

When I finally selected the setup.exe option to connect the printer to a USB port, the installation completed immediately, and I can successfully open the HP Printer Assistant and run the HP OfficeJet Pro 9020 All-in-One printer management and HPScan applications from the connected PC.  

The HP Print and Scan Doctor 5.7.4 is of little help, but notably after a couple of minutes of searching, does actually show the HP OfficeJet Pro 9020 series (with wired IP in this case) as "Not Installed". Selecting it and continuing, prompts to restore the printer to factory defaults and then launch HP Smart .... which I'm really trying to avoid, so I haven't gone down this path!

I've tried fully uninstalling all of the HP 9020 series software/driver instances (using the recommended procedures), and reinstalling on two different Win 10 PCs, using both the HP OfficeJet Pro 9020 All-in-One EasyStart Printer Setup Software-Offlline Use Only and HP EasyStart Printer Setup Software (Internet connection required for driver installation).

For the LAN-connected printer option it always results in the same failure at the same point. I've also tried installing with all firewalls off, disconnected from the internet, and in Windows Safe mode .... without success.

I'm running out of ideas and starting to wonder if declining the HP+ activation and Smart options and the various other data sharing prompts in the initial Printer and software install setups is causing an issue. Consequently, I'd be very interested in hearing from anyone who is successfully running the above software over a LAN-connected 9025e-printer, or any other thoughts the community may have on resolving this problem!

Thank you.  

[Dragon-Fur]

@Second_Chance 

Welcome to the HP Community --

Warning, this is long, typed on the fly (always a bad choice), convoluted, and perhaps helpful.

Jury is out on that part...

Thanks for the thorough description.

 I agree that "something" is afoot.

Many times previous to this I've installed the web pack same software on the same machine(s) - both for the purpose of testing and (rarely) due to outside influences (Windows Updates stomping on the software, router replacement, odd interference of an unknown nature).

There has been something strange going on for a while -- a month? -- I've seen odd install errors, hangs, blank windows, and odd "can't find the network" issues.

Nothing like you describe until...

What?  Just a few days hence...

I spent over two hours (including note taking) trying to install an Envy 7855 and an OfficeJet Pro 9025 onto a seemingly healthy Probook 435 running Windows 11. 

Yes, "something" had mangled the printer software for both printers to the extent that HP Smart (Windows app) could not get to EWS (Settings > Advanced in the app).

The issues I encountered were very similar to what you describe, in fact.

Moving on...

Both Lan / Ethernet connected, robust network, static / manual IP addresses.

Note:  I never veered away from using Ethernet - this works, should work, was going to work if I had to take it apart -- stubbornness.

I did finally get the software to install for both printers.

If you get to that point,

After the software is installed, Add the Universal Scan Software (in section References / Resources later in this message).

I can share what I have -- the "fix" is buried somewhere in repeated reboots of the printers and computer, the repeated cleaning out of left over pieces of software after each failed installation, and the vagaries of the software installation packages themselves.

I tried Easy Start first simply because I wanted to update some of my notes on the methodology.  When it failed, I thought, OK - enough of this, I dislike this package anyway -- I will use the Web Pack. 

As you discovered, that failed as well - various network "reasons" and odd messages.

Eventually,

I managed to get the "Offline only" Webpack to install.

I do not have a cohesive "how to" developed, but I have some raw notes to share.

Will it help? 

No idea - Scoff, scoff.  No idea -- I've not had time to remove it all and try it again.

Oh, as a side bar: 

Before other tasks... I ran the HP Smart "Reset" option and then uninstalled HP Smart until I had the printer software actually installed.... I'll post an example of that process at the bottom of this message.

Disconnect the USB cable between the printer and the computer

Restart both printer and computer

Uninstall printer software from Programs and Features

Next,

Add all the "Check and Remove" steps in the example

NOTE:  This version / example is a work in-progress - forgive any confusion, stupid errors, or blatant mistakes

Check_and_Remove_Section_5

Next,

Restart both printer and computer

Drag though the "Check and Remove" again to make sure nothing was missed and is still lurking...

Downloaded Web Pack

HP OfficeJet Pro 9020 All-in-One EasyStart Printer Setup Software – Offline Use Only 

Set the Firmware Updates to Notify -- Always do this, in fact.

Somewhere in this general time frame, answer Yes to the question about agreeing to adding the printer / running on a "Connected Network".

? Can't find the example for that one...

Next...

Answer yes / no about the Analytics and sharing machine data with HP - your answers do not impact the installation.

Answer No to Instant Ink as many times as it takes to make it stop asking...

Select "Wired Connection" > Ethernet

I don't know whether you will see this next menu, another one, or if the setup will throw up a blank window and hang.

If you see this menu, highlight the entry and click Reboot Now

If you see anything else, hang, blank, odd, click the "X" in the upper right of the "bad  window" and try to exit -- based on "sometimes" experience with the Easy Start pack, that works and the software (now installed) might stay intact.

Just so.

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

References / Resources

 HP Universal Scan Full Feature Software adds OCR libraries to installed HP Scan software. 

HPUS installs a new, full featured, (and separate) HP Scan software shortcut to the Desktop.

Note:  HPUS can be installed as standalone or installed after the full feature printer software.

After the software is installed, Restart the computer and sign in

HP Universal Scan Software provides a larger GUI to make using the software easier on high-resolution screens.   New features have been added to the main menu to help with navigating the settings.

 HP printers - Scan as Editable Text (OCR) with HP Scan (Windows)

Example - Windows - Full Feature Software - Installed in Programs and Features

Programs_and_Features_Printer_Desktop_Icons_11

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

Example - HP Smart - Windows - HP Smart Application Reset

HP_Smart_Win_Apps_Reset_2

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

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

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HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e All-in-One Printer 

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

[Second_Chance]

Many thanks for the prompt and detailed response ....  I appreciate you sharing your obvious expertise in this area.

I'm assured to know that the Webpack has worked in the past with my Printer, so I'll continue "experimenting" along the lines and process you've suggested, focusing on the wired ethernet connection. 

Hopefully, I can get a result and will post back on my progress in due course.

[Dragon-Fur]

@Second_Chance 

You are welcome.

I hope something comes of the work.

Honestly, I've not spent as much time on this as would require a decent analysis.  Pressed for time, as soon as it's forced into compliance, I've had to move on to other projects.  Not very good detective work, I know. 

Presumably, the software will install without having to rebuild (reload) Windows or edit the Registry. (I don't give advice in this area - personal choice.)

Good Luck.

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 my Post "Accept as Solution"