I need the printer driver for Officejet J4680

[kcis]

I lost my HP J4680 printer drivers in a PC crash. Can you help me. The printer still works, so why doesn't HP make the drivers available regardless of whether or not they are involved in supporting them.  I also have an 8015e which I need to pay for an ink subscription just so it will work.  Is HP trying to sell printers or turn people off from buying them.?  I have asked this question before with no response.  If HP doesn't support all the printers' they sell just tell me that, say something, please. If you can't do it, you can't do it, just say so.  Thank you.

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@kcis 

Welcome to the HP English Community --

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HP OfficeJet J4680 All-in-One Printer

The "why" driver and device support policy was put in place years ago by HP.

Perhaps more so with consumer products than Enterprise (business) products, printers (and computers, too) are subject to about a ten year service life span. 

If the drivers are not tested or if the drivers are tested and found to be incompatible with newer versions of Windows, then Full Driver support might be removed before the end of service when the product is Retired.

At about ten years, the documentation, any remaining drivers, and other support for the device are removed from the HP site.

You, the consumer, are responsible for having downloaded and saved the drivers, documentation, and other data related to the device while it was available. 

No, I do not have an answer for you not having known about the time limit or the need to download, save, and protect the data you needed.

True - considering the longevity of many of HP's products, ten years seems short of what is wanted.

Perhaps try a third party site to find drivers for your vintage printer.   Practice normal caution when downloading ANYTHING you find on the 'net.  What?  Anything you find on the Internet can be useful or dangerous depending on the source.

At this writing, the following HP webpage was found using Google search:

Software and Drivers for HP Officejet J4680 All-in-One Printer  

The Full Driver support is long gone -- the instructions on the webpage guide you (the user) to try / install the Windows Built-in Print Drivers.

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Built-in Driver

Old driver is Gone

We see occasional questions about printers for which full driver software installation packages are no longer listed for current (or older) versions of Windows.

The full driver printer software for this printer is no longer listed as available from HP.

When available for the printer and a supported version of Windows, install the Windows Built-in print drivers.

When installed, the Windows print driver provides basic print function.

Reference and Download

 HP Printers - Installing and Using the Windows Built-in Print Driver

Scan? See Section FAQ > How do I use the printer functions with the built-in driver?

Scan your documents and photos:

Complete your scan jobs with a Windows app that works with the built-in driver.

Examples

Windows Fax and Scan: In Windows, search for and open Windows Fax and Scan. Click New Scan, and then select your printer.

Windows Paint: In Windows, search for and open Paint. Click FileFrom scanner or camera.

Windows Scan app: In Windows, search for and open the Windows Scan app. If it is not listed, go to Windows  Scan (in English) to install it.

Troubleshooting for installing the Built-in Print Driver

 HP printers - Windows built-in driver fails to install

Video – Using built-in drivers – fix missing print settings

 How to fix missing advanced print settings in Windows 11

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Is your HP Product “vintage? (Ten years of age or older)

Typically, HP stops supporting consumer products after ten years. Read the policy and find out if your HP device is on the list. “EOL”

 HP Customer Support - Retired Products

Sample

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HP OfficeJet 8015e Printer

The HP OfficeJet 8015e All-in-One Printer  is well within the time during which support is available for drivers and documentation.

Important

With the singular exception of having received the printer as part of the HP All-In Plan - Printer / Ink / Support service, the Instant Ink Subscription service is Optional .

Details / Information / How-to / Contact

NOTE

If you wish to skip the how-to, details, important service contract and cancellation information, scroll down to "Your faster option".

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What is "Free Ink"?

There is no extra cost for ink.

Ink is provided as part of your subscription - use a drop or use a cup full, ink is included at no extra cost.

Important

After the initial Ink Kit is mailed out, ink is sent (only) when the printer notifies the service that ink is depleted and a shipment is needed.

• All ink activated by the plan and all ink sent to you works as along as the trail / subscription service is active.

and

• Subscription / Instant Ink remains the property of HP and should be returned to HP at close (termination) of the service contract.

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Who Benefits?

Instant Ink is an excellent service for those who print regularly, print high-density documents or artwork, or perhaps print lots of homework.  For example, those who benefit the most include Teachers, musicians, writers who like hard copy, large families, small business offices, community centers, churches, and others who love -- or need -- to print on paper.

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It is important that you understand the Instant Ink cancellation / termination process and your responsibilities.

 >>> Open and read >>>  Cancel your account

Review >>> HP Instant Ink - Cancel Your HP Instant Ink Service

Section Cancel your account

Video – Cancel HP Instant Ink

 How to unsubscribe or cancel HP Instant Ink subscription

What if?

  HP Instant Ink - Stopping a cancellation

Recycle HP Instant Ink Cartridges / Subscription Cartridges

 HP Instant Ink - Recycle HP Instant Ink Cartridges

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Instant Ink >> Details / How-to / Articles / >>>> Contact Information <<<<

HP Instant Ink Support Website / Documents / Cancel & Contact Information

Review >>>  How Instant Ink works

 -- No Joy? 

Comments, questions, objections, or need information not found online at the  HP Instant Ink Support - Website and / or the Instant Ink Website –  HP Instant Ink - Website > Support, Enroll, FAQ  -- Click the Flag to change to your region.

Your faster option

Contact the team at  HP Instant Ink Support during business days and hours available in your region.

Reminder

Where available as an option, the phone number will display when the office is open for business.

Check to see when to call.

OR

Choose to continue to wait here in the HP Community for an agent to find and respond to your question.

When necessary, Agents can access private information.

Waiting is not faster – our HP Community is not  HP Instant Ink support  – Waiting generally works.

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References / Resources

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: Warranty Check, Alerts, Troubleshooting, Ink & Paper, HP Software & Drivers / Firmware Updates, Setup & User Guides, Product Specifications, Account & Registration, Warranty & Repair

Open 

 Product Home - Printers

 Enter the device type and model name of your HP product

OR

 Select a saved product from HP Account Dashboard

OR

HP OfficeJet 8015e All-in-One Printer

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"

[kcis]

Thank you for your timely responses.  Regarding the HP J4680: with the information you and your college provided, I was able to successfully install the drivers and updates  necessary for both my windows 10 and 11 pc's / one of the best personal printers I have used. 

I bought my first IBM PC and HP desktop printer for my business in 1984, had to get a big loan and before I paid it off they were, how did you say, vintage.  So I know about how quickly hardware and software advancements and innovation affects the longevity of technology. I also understand the economics of obsolescence, but that's not an issue for me. I have been retired for a few minutes and still use a PC and printer for light business and personal use. 

I have always bought HP printers.  I have always considered them to be the best money can buy.  The HP 8015c is extremely affordable and a great value overall, even with the ink subscription. 

And yes you are absolutely correct about my responsibility as a consumer.  Unfortunately, for some purchases I only do a cursory read of the providers product or services based on time and consequence.  When I buy a house I have an attorney read the closing documents.  When I buy a new automobile I read the entire contract myself. 

I recently purchased a small air conditioner.  The booklet including the manual and disclaimers was 225 pages.  I rely on the reputation of the manufacturer as well as the vendor's "short" assessment of the product to avoid wasting my valuable time and the mind numbing task of reading the entire booklet.  

With that said, the documentation for my HP 8015e is approximately 135 pages, with disclaimers throughout.  I bought it on Amazon. Here is a copy and paste of the initial description:

• 3 MONTHS OF INSTANT INK INCLUDED WITH HP+ – Print up to 700 pages a month and get ink delivered only when you need it. After 3 months, monthly fee applies unless cancelled, and you'll save up to 50% on ink
• INCLUDES HP+ SMART FEATURES – Activate HP+ to get advanced features for mobile printing, security, automatic updates and more. HP+ only works with an HP account, internet connection and Original HP Ink for the life of the printer.

i did read further and at no time did it state that the printer would stop working without an ink subscription.  I am not a well adjusted genius like some people, but in my opinion it wasn't even implied.  I went on vacation for a a couple months so I cancelled the subscription.  When I got back even though I had plenty of original HP ink on hand the printer didn't work.  I looked into it and found out I needed the subscription, I also found out I wasn't the only one in the dark.  Many more as you know are.  The thing is HP could have easily wrote "PLEASE NOTE: PRINTER WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT A INK SUBSCRIPTION" right in the online description.  

That's my issue with that.  I have a couple more questions. Does HP currently make a personal printer that will work without an online connection or an ink subscription? And do dragons really have fur?

Thank you

[Dragon-Fur]

@kcis 

You are most welcome.

The original Dragon-Fur namesake did indeed have fur.  Smiling.

Instant Ink details are included in the contract and at the support website (links included below).

Could the messages include additional transparency? 

Perhaps -- I've never subscribed.

Although I've read many of the documents, I have no personal experience with the service.

Should you wish to do so, contact Instant Ink Support with comments, questions, objections, and any support queries.

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Instant Ink Support Website

  HP Instant Ink Support - Website

Change Country / Region as needed

Scroll down to find phone contact information

From the support website:

 Why am I unable to print with HP Instant Ink cartridges?

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Examples of the Terms of Service Contract for various regions

NOTE: Terms of Service Document includes phone contact information

 Instant Ink - Terms of Service - USA

 Instant Ink – Terms of Service - UK

 TERMINI DI SERVIZIO DI HP INSTANT INK - Italy 

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"