Hp smart app not working

[arejfour4]

Just this AM the HP smart app is not working. It wants me to add a printer and it cannot find the printer-it just keeps running. I've been using this app for 4 years with no issues. I ran the repair and reset functions in W11 with no effect. I uninstalled and reinstalled with no effect. I contacted HP support and they were no help. I contacted Dell and they said it was a HP Smart app problem. The smart app version is 163.1.1121.0. All drivers and software is current. I can find the information , I need, from the HP printer app. Anybody have a similar problem or suggestions?

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @arejfour4 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

I truly understand how frustrating it must feel when an app that has worked smoothly for years suddenly stops cooperating. Thank you for already trying repair, reset, reinstall, and confirming that your drivers and software are current—that’s excellent groundwork and shows real persistence. 

Let’s walk through a few more steps that can often bring the HP Smart (now HP App) back to life on Windows 11:

 

Check Windows Services

• Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
• Scroll down and ensure that Print Spooler is running. If it’s stopped, right-click and select Start.
• Restart the service once to refresh the connection.

Verify Network Connection

• Make sure your printer and PC are on the same Wi-Fi network.
• If you use a dual-band router, connect both devices to the same band (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz).

Clear App Cache

• Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
• Locate HP Smart / HP App, click Advanced options, and select Terminate.
• Then choose Reset again to clear cached data.

Add Printer via IP Address

• In the HP App, instead of waiting for auto-discovery, select Add printer manually.
• Enter the printer’s IP address (you can print a network configuration page from the printer’s control panel to find it).
• This often bypasses the endless searching loop.

Check Firewall Permissions

• Go to Windows Security > Firewall & network protection > Allow an app through firewall.
• Ensure HP Smart / HP App has permission for both private and public networks.

Run Diagnose & Fix

• Open the HP App, go to Support tools, and run Diagnose & Fix.
• This tool automatically checks connectivity, drivers, and app permissions.

Try a Different User Profile

• Sometimes Windows user profiles hold corrupted app data.
• Log into another Windows account, install the HP App, and test if the printer is detected.

Note

• Restarting services and clearing cache refreshes the app’s communication layer.
• Adding the printer manually ensures the app doesn’t get stuck in auto-discovery.
• Firewall permissions and Diagnose & Fix address hidden blocks that can prevent detection.

You’ve already shown great patience and diligence. With these steps, the app should regain its ability to detect your printer. If it continues to resist, using the printer’s embedded web server (via its IP address in a browser) can serve as a reliable alternative until the app stabilizes.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[arejfour4]

I'll answer some of your suggestions:

There is no problem printing or scanning et al. The printer is fully functional

My printer is connected via printer cable-not WiFi

App reset and repair functions were priviously run with no effect

Unable to add printer manually. The app is non functional

Cannot access support tools again the app in non functional

HP needs to fix this app. In the meantime whatever the app was doing I can access thru the printer software app on my desktop

[Hawks_Eye]

Thanks for replying @arejfour4 

Thank you for clarifying the details of your setup—it helps narrow down the situation. Since your printer is fully functional over USB and the issue lies specifically with the HP App failing to detect it, let’s focus on steps that target the app’s communication layer on Windows 11:

 

Check Windows Print Spooler Service

• Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
• Locate Print Spooler. Make sure it is set to Running and Automatic. Restart it once to refresh.

Remove Ghost Devices

• Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
• If you see duplicate or offline versions of your printer, right‑click and remove them.
• Then try adding the printer again in the HP App.

Manual USB Add via Windows

• Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
• Add your printer here first. Once Windows recognizes it, launch the HP App—it often syncs with Windows’ printer list.

Clear HP App Cache Completely

• Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
• Select HP App > Advanced options.
• Use Terminate, then Reset, then restart your PC before reopening the app.

Check Firewall Permissions

• Even for USB printers, the HP App uses background services that can be blocked.
• Go to Windows Security > Firewall & network protection > Allow an app through firewall.
• Ensure HP App has permissions enabled.

Test with a New Windows Profile

• Create a temporary local account.
• Install the HP App there and check if it detects the printer.
• If it works, the issue is tied to corrupted app data in your main profile.

 

Why These Steps Matter

• Restarting the spooler and clearing ghost devices ensures Windows isn’t holding onto stale connections.
• Adding the printer through Windows first gives the HP App a direct reference instead of relying on auto‑discovery.
• Cache clearing and firewall checks refresh the app’s communication pathways.
• Testing with another profile rules out hidden corruption in your current account.

You’ve already shown great persistence by repairing, resetting, and reinstalling. With these additional steps, the app often regains functionality. In the meantime, since your printer software is working fine, you can continue using that until the app stabilizes.

Regards,

Hawks_Eye

[arejfour4]

The print spooler is automatic

There are no duplicate printers

I was not able to manually add printer. W11 couldn't find it

Cache is clean

The repair and reset functions were previously tries with no effect.

HP needs to fix this app!

I really appreciate your  help but I really don't want to put more effort into this since I can use the printer desktop icon to do everything I need to have done.

[Hawks_Eye]

Thank you for confirming those details. Since your printer is functioning correctly over USB and the issue is isolated to the HP App, you’ve already covered most of the key troubleshooting steps. At this point, if the spooler is running, there are no duplicate devices, cache has been cleared, and repair/reset didn’t help, then the remaining options are limited.

The HP App relies on background services and Windows integration, so when those pathways fail, the desktop printer software remains the most reliable way to continue printing and scanning. Given that you can already perform all necessary tasks through the printer’s desktop icon, it’s perfectly reasonable to continue using that method until the app stabilizes in future updates.

You’ve put in thorough effort, and since the printer itself is fully functional, there’s no risk in relying on the desktop software for now.

Regards,

Hawks_Eye