In printing shortcuts, can Paper Source be changed for all future jobs?

[Frommt]

HP has produced a video detailing how to change the detailed settings for printing shortcuts for all future print jobs.

Does this work for all shortcut settings, or only for some? See the second half, or final third, of the following for how to do permanent changes to these settings, not just for the next or pending print job, and then revert back to prior settings.

https://support.hp.com/bg-en/document/ish_2281139-2041471-16

So far my finding is that this process does not work for Paper Source settings, which always revert to Auto select, so contrary to part of HP support's video. My issue is not how to change specific settings, but whether and to what extent changes can be made to apply to all permanent print jobs.

I hope HP Support will reply on this, others welcome.

[Sneha_01 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Frommt 

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It sounds like you’re looking to permanently change the Paper Source setting for all future print jobs in HP's print shortcuts. You're right in noting that some settings can be applied permanently, but there are limitations with certain options like the Paper Source.

Here’s the key breakdown:

1. Print Shortcuts and Permanent Settings

• HP’s print shortcut feature is designed to allow users to customize print settings for specific tasks (e.g., printing photos, documents, etc.) and apply them as default for the next print job.
• However, as you’ve noticed, Paper Source often defaults back to Auto Select, even after you change it. This is a known behavior with some HP printers and driver configurations.

2. Why Paper Source Defaults to Auto Select

• The Paper Source setting is influenced by the printer’s paper tray configuration and might not allow for permanent changes to be stored, especially in cases where the printer has multiple trays or is connected to a network and uses automatic settings.
• Auto Select is the printer's default setting that determines the paper tray automatically, based on available paper types and sizes.

3. Can Paper Source Be Permanently Changed?

Unfortunately, based on current driver and printer functionality, Paper Source settings often revert back to Auto Select, and changes to it through print shortcuts may not apply to all future print jobs. It’s a common issue with HP's printing shortcuts, and the ability to apply permanent changes to the Paper Source is not always available for all printer models.

4. Workarounds and Tips

• Try changing the settings directly through the printer’s driver: Some users have found success by setting their Paper Source directly through the printer driver (on your computer) and selecting the tray you want to default to in the printer settings.
• Create multiple shortcuts: For specific tasks that require a particular tray or paper source, create distinct print shortcuts and select the desired paper tray each time.
• Check for driver updates: Sometimes, updates to the printer’s software/firmware can fix quirks or provide better customization for print settings. Keep your drivers and firmware up-to-date.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support

[Frommt]

That is a very good and thorough answer to my question, and I will mark it as a solution, but I need to also confirm the following for it to an actual solution for me in the practical sense. Are the following all entirely correct?

#1. Settings, Preferences, and Setup are all words for printer settings.

#2. The settings in my HP Printer are collected into what HP calls “Shortcuts”, but they are really collections of settings, so select the collection you need for each print job.

#3. The Factory Default is the initial default, “from the factory”.

#4. If before printing a job I go in and select another shortcut, then that shortcut remains in place for all future print jobs, unless and until I go into printer settings and change it back to the Factory Default or to something else. The shortcut does not default to the factory default by itself, except maybe under circumstances such as unplugging, a software update, etc.

[Repairatrooper]

Just a couple of clarifications for you.

1. If you select a different shortcut in say Word, that shortcut will stay valid until you close word.

2. In the driver you will typically see an option for printer preferences and also default settings. These are actually different. Printing Preferences will change the default settings for the currently logged in user and selecting default settings under the advanced tab will change the default preferences for ALL users.

[Frommt]

Interesting. That would explain having two ways to get at the same software Window, the one with the shortcuts list. Too bad designers don't inform users about such difference in the software itself, odd  but at the same time typical of software generally. I am the sole user, so no difference either way. It is interesting that two different paths for accessing the same software window has two different consequences.

I dropped Word in favor of Textmaker, but likely same is true of it.