My HP Deskjet 2720 Printer/Scanner is suddenly not recognized by HP Smart Software

[MiaDenmark]

HP Smart software can no longer find My HP Deskjet 2720 all-in-one. I use it as a stand-alone device, directly connected to my PC by USB cable. Not connected via wifi. I tried:

- Restarted my PC and tried to start up the HP deskjet first. Did not work. Did the opposite: started the PC first. Did not work.

- Took out all cables and put them back in. No change. 

- Tried a new USB cable. No change. 

- Checked for new software updates without any luck.

I would appreciate any ideas how to solve this.

I bought the Deskjet in February 2021 and it has worked without any problems until a few days ago.

[Rainbow23]

Hi @MiaDenmark,

Welcome to HP Support Community. This is a great place to post questions find answers.
Thank you for posting your query. I will be glad to help you.

I see that you are facing connectivity issues with your HP Deskjet 2720 all-in-one printer.

Please download and run the HP Print and Scan Doctor on the computer connected to the printer.
1. Download HP Print and Scan Doctor from this link: https://support.hp.com/us-en/help/printscandoctor 
2. Run HPPSdr.exe from the download location on your computer.
3. Once HP Print and Scan Doctor opens, click Start, and then select your printer.
4. If your printer is not in the list, turn it off and on and then click Retry.
5. If there is a connection problem, follow the instructions in HP Print and Scan Doctor.
6. If the screen displays prompting to turn on printer updates, click Yes and continue.
7. If the screen displays prompting to make your printer the default printer, click Yes and continue.
You may also refer to this document to know how to use HP Print and Scan Doctor.

Let me know if this helps and have a great day ahead.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[MiaDenmark]

Thanks for taking the time to write a reply and come up with a solution. It does, however, seem like doing a lot in order to solve a small problem.

instead, I connected my HP printer/scanner via wifi. Then it worked. I find it absurd that a stand-alone device, which is connected by USB cable, ALSO must be connected via wifi. I find it unnecessary and a security problem (because one has to remember to secure it against outside/unwanted access). 
again, I value your feedback, but the software/code designers with HP did not do very well, I think.