My printer appears in the Control Panel but not when I try to print a document.

[David5717]

I have a Dell computer using the version of Windows before Windows 10 . I have an HP DeskJet printer of 3700 series. Until Sunday I have been printing with no problem. Yesterday when I tried printing I found that the document print command has wiped off the printer (although all the other options are still there). When I checked the Control Panel, the printer appears but with minimal information when I click to open.

I have reset both the computer and the printer a number of times, as well as simultaneously but this has not helped.

Do I need to reload the driver, or is the problem likely due to something else and if so, can anyone share ideas?

Thanks

David Green

[zoey7886]

@David5717, Welcome to the HP Support Community!  

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding HP DeskJet 3700 Series Printer Issues! 

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.  

It sounds like you're experiencing a connectivity or driver-related issue with your HP DeskJet 3700 series printer. Here are some steps you can follow to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the problem:

Check Printer Connections:

• Ensure that all cables are securely connected. If using a USB connection, try a different USB port or a different cable.
• If connected via Wi-Fi, ensure that the printer is connected to the correct network.

Verify Printer Status:

• Go to the Control Panel on your computer and select "Devices and Printers."
• Check if your printer is set as the default printer and that its status is "Ready."

Reinstall or Update Printer Drivers:

• Visit the HP Support website and download the latest drivers for your specific printer model.
• Install the drivers and follow any on-screen instructions.

Remove and Re-add the Printer:

• In the "Devices and Printers" section of the Control Panel, right-click on your printer and select "Remove Device."
• Re-add the printer by selecting "Add a Printer" and follow the prompts.

Check for Windows Updates:

• Ensure your computer has the latest Windows updates installed, as updates can include important driver updates.

Run HP Print and Scan Doctor:

• Download and run the HP Print and Scan Doctor tool, which can automatically diagnose and resolve many issues with HP printers.

Restart the Printer Spooler Service:

• Go to "Services" on your computer, locate the "Print Spooler" service, right-click it, and select "Restart." 

Hope this helps! 

Take care, and have an amazing day!  

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, Please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!  

Regards, 

[David5717]

Hi Zoey,

Thanks a lot for your clear explanation. I will take the steps you advise and if I still have any problems, I'll get back to you.

Sorry I did not respond sooner but I have been unwell.

Thanks again.

David

[David5717]

Hi Zoey,

First of all I erred and my Windows version is actually 10.

I tried taking the steps you mentioned and did not make any real progress. I tried downloading the driver again for the HP printer and I cannot seem to get to download, as I get a message that my printer is not under guarantee. Can I get the driver if I pay? Or do I have no chance to get the driver again?

I then went to the step where you advised me to go to the Control Panel and remove and then add the printer. I managed to remove it from the Control Panel but when I try to set up a new printer and type in the printer model, the computer tells me it already exists, even though it no longer appears on the Control Panel.

I was also guided to HP Smart but that does not seem to help.

It sounds like I have done something wrong, or the problem is a bit deeper. Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks and Regards,

David

[zoey7886]

@David5717, Thanks so much for your detailed update — and no worries about the delay, I hope you're feeling much better now!

It sounds like your system may have some leftover printer data that's causing conflicts. Let’s try this:

Completely remove printer remnants:

Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers — if the printer is gone, that’s good.

Then, open Settings > Apps, and uninstall any HP software (like HP DeskJet driver packages or HP Smart).

Now, type printmanagement.msc in the Windows search bar (only available on Pro versions). If it opens, go to All Printers, right-click your HP printer, and delete it.

Clear print spooler data:

Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.

Find Print Spooler, right-click > Stop.

Then, open File Explorer and go to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS — delete any files inside.

Go back and Start the Print Spooler again.

Fresh driver install:

Don’t worry about the warranty message — you do not need to pay for drivers. You can download the driver directly from HP — just type in your printer model (e.g., HP DeskJet 3755) and choose your Windows version.

Avoid using HP Smart for now — use the basic full driver package.

After that, restart your PC and then reconnect the printer (via USB or Wi-Fi). It should auto-detect and install properly.

Let me know how it goes — we’ll stick with you till it’s sorted!

Take care, and have an amazing day!  

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, Please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!  

Regards, 

[David5717]

Hi Zoey,

Thank you for this extended help to try and solve the printer problem I am experiencing. I have just returned to work and am catching up on my backlog, so I'll get to try your recommendation over this coming weekend.

I really appreciate your time, help and guiding hand. I'll get back to you and let you know if I succeeded, or if I have stalled again at which point.

Regards,
David

[zoey7886]

@David5717, Sure, please try it at your convenience — no rush at all! I'm glad you're getting back on track. Just let me know how it goes when you get the chance, and I’ll be here to help if you hit any bumps along the way.

Take care, and have an amazing day!  

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, Please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!  

Regards, 

[David5717]

Hi Zoey,

I am sorry to be a nuisance but I am not very computer literate. I read through your guidance and thought I should check a few things on my computer, before actually doing anything, to make sure I make no irreversible errors. First of all, I checked what HP software I can see in my files and I have the following:

1) HP Customer Participation Programme 14.0

2) HP Deskjet Printer Driver Software

3) HP Imaging Device Functions

4) HP Solution Center 14.0

5) HP Support Solutions Framewaork

6) HP Update

Which of these programmes should I uninstall? If not all of them, which ones?

I noticed there is no icon for HP Smart although if I look on my Windows menu, I can see the programme there.

I then wanted to check I can access the Windows Print Management. I did as you said and entered printmanagement.msc in the Windows search bar. I got an indication from my computer as follows "To open Print Management in Windows 10, you can use Run command, search for it, or access through the control panel." I looked in the Control Panel and could not see such a file / software. I also do not see "Windows Tools" if I open the Control Panel.

How do I use the "Run" command? Just type in Windows Print Management and press enter?

Please let me know which of the HP software files I should uninstall and if it is correct to proceed, what I do to access Windows Print Management.

Thank you Zoey.

Regards,

David

[zoey7886]

@David5717, Thanks so much for your kind message — and you're definitely not a nuisance! You're doing the right thing by checking before taking action, especially when you're not 100% comfortable with tech steps.

To clarify:

You can safely uninstall these:

HP Deskjet Printer Driver Software

HP Solution Center 14.0

HP Imaging Device Functions

The others (like HP Support Solutions Framework and HP Update) can stay for now — they won’t interfere.

About Print Management:
It’s only available on Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise editions. If you’re using Windows 10 Home, that’s why it doesn’t show up — no worries at all!

To open the Run command:

Press Windows key + R

Type services.msc and hit Enter (this is for the Print Spooler step we mentioned earlier, not for Print Management).

You can skip the Print Management part if it’s not accessible — the rest of the steps will still work just fine!

Once you’ve uninstalled the printer software listed above, continue with the spooler step and reinstall the driver from the HP support website.

You're doing great — and I’m here whenever you need help!

If our solution hit the spot, please click "Accepted Solution" to help others find the answer. And if you'd like to say thanks, select "Yes" on the bottom left as that would make our day!  

Take care, and have an incredible day ahead!  

Regards,  

[David5717]

Hi Zoey,

Thanks again for the clear instructions. It'll be a few days before I can get to try this all but I will certainly let you know if I was successful, or not. As I say, it may be a few days but I will certainly get back to you.

Regards,

David