My USB Cable is plugged into computer and printer but I am receiving a message that they are not

[Cactus1931]

My USB Cable is plugged into computer and printer but I am receiving a message that they are not. I have tried power up/power down and new cable. The printer was working fine last week, now it doesn't even recognize Laser Jet MFP M28-M31 and when I  try and add the printer, the error prompt "Active Directory Domain Services is Unavailable" appears......

[Nal_NR]

Hi @Cactus1931,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd be glad to help you! 

It sounds like you're facing connectivity issues with your HP LaserJet MFP M28-M31 printer, particularly with USB recognition and an error regarding Active Directory Domain Services. Here are some steps to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

1. Check USB Connections

• Ensure that the USB cable is securely connected to both the printer and the computer. If possible, try different USB ports on your computer to rule out a faulty port.
• Confirm that the printer is powered on and not in sleep mode. Sometimes printers need a moment to wake up after being inactive.

2. Update Printer Drivers

• An outdated or corrupted driver can cause recognition issues. Follow these steps to update the driver:
  1. Go to the HP Support website.
  2. Enter your printer model (LaserJet MFP M28-M31) and download the latest driver.
  3. Install the driver, following the on-screen instructions.
  4. Restart your computer after installation and try adding the printer again.

3. Run Windows Printer Troubleshooter

• Windows has a built-in troubleshooter that can help diagnose and fix printer issues:
  1. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
  2. Click on Additional troubleshooters.
  3. Select Printer, then click on Run the troubleshooter.
  4. Follow the prompts to diagnose and fix any issues.

4. Check Active Directory Domain Services Error

• The error "Active Directory Domain Services is Unavailable" may indicate issues with the network settings, especially if the printer was previously connected over a network:
  • Check Network Settings: If your printer is also capable of network connections (Wi-Fi), ensure it's not attempting to connect to a different network. Reconnect to the intended network if necessary.
  • Reboot your Network: Power cycle your router and modem to refresh the connection, especially if you're using the printer over a network.

5. Reset the Printer

• Performing a reset can help resolve many issues:
  1. Turn off the printer and unplug the power cable.
  2. Wait for about 30 seconds.
  3. Plug the power cable back in, turn on the printer, and wait for it to initialize.
  4. Try connecting the USB cable again.

6. Try a Different Computer

• If possible, connect the printer to a different computer to determine whether the issue is specific to your computer or the printer itself.

7. Reinstall Printer

• If none of the above steps work, try removing the printer completely from your computer:
  1. Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
  2. Right-click on your printer and select Remove device.
  3. Restart your computer and then attempt to add the printer again.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, please provide any additional error messages or symptoms you encounter, and we can explore further options.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance

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