New Surface Laptop connection to HP printer

[BuzMac]

I purchased the new Surface Laptop 7th edition. Updated the printer drivers, but still can’t get the HP OfficeJet 6978 to print.

[Sneha_01]

Hi @BuzMac,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

If you're unable to get your HP OfficeJet 6978 printer to print from your new Surface Laptop, despite updating the printer drivers, here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

1. Check Printer Connection

Verify Wi-Fi Connection: Ensure that your HP OfficeJet 6978 printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Surface Laptop. Use the printer's control panel to check the wireless connection status.

Restart Devices:

• Restart Printer: Turn off the printer, unplug it from power, wait for about 1-2 minutes, then plug it back in and turn it on.
• Restart Laptop: Restart your Surface Laptop to refresh its network connections and settings.

Reconnect Printer:

• On your Surface Laptop, go to "Settings" > "Devices" > "Printers & scanners".
• Remove the HP OfficeJet 6978 printer from the list if it's already added.
• Click on "Add a printer or scanner" and follow the prompts to re-add your printer. Make sure to select the correct printer model from the list.

2. Update Printer Firmware

1. Visit the HP support website and check if there are any firmware updates available for your HP OfficeJet 6978 printer. Download and install any updates following the instructions provided.

3. Install HP Smart App

1. Download and install the HP Smart app from the Microsoft Store on your Surface Laptop.
2. Open the HP Smart app and follow the on-screen instructions to add your HP OfficeJet 6978 printer. The app can help manage printer settings and troubleshoot connectivity issues.

4. Check Printer Settings

1. Default Printer: Ensure that the HP OfficeJet 6978 is set as the default printer on your Surface Laptop.
   • Go to "Settings" > "Devices" > "Printers & scanners" on your Surface Laptop.
   • Select your printer and click on "Manage". Ensure that the option "Let Windows manage my default printer" is disabled if you prefer to set it manually.

5. Firewall and Security Software

1. Sometimes, firewall or security software on your Surface Laptop can block communication with the printer. Temporarily disable such software to see if it resolves the printing issue.

6. USB Connection (Optional)

1. If wireless printing continues to be problematic, try connecting the HP OfficeJet 6978 printer to your Surface Laptop using a USB cable. This can help determine if the issue is related to the wireless connection.

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