OfficeJet Pro 8620

[AST-Antony]

Hey im having an issue gaining access to my clients printer. Its saying its locked out by Administrator. I have tried all the power cycling and soft/hard resets. I saw in one of the forms there is special instructions on doing a bypass factory reset and was wondering if anyone had that? I have done the 30 second powercycle and the 60 second one. I have also tried leaving it unplugged for 2-3 minutes and holding the home and back button while it powers on. Anything woll help.

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @AST-Antony 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

I can imagine how frustrating it feels when you’ve already tried multiple resets and power cycles, yet the printer still shows “locked out by Administrator.” Thank you for the persistence you’ve shown—it’s clear you’ve been thorough. 

Let’s go step by step to help you regain access to the OfficeJet Pro 8620.

 

Steps to Clear Administrator Lock

Access Embedded Web Server (EWS)

• Connect the printer to your network with Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
• Print a Network Configuration Page from the printer’s control panel (Setup > Reports > Network Configuration).
• Note the IP address.
• Enter the IP address into a browser on your Windows 11 computer.
• This opens the EWS. If prompted for an admin password, try the default (often blank or “admin”). If you set one previously, you’ll need that password.

Restore Factory Defaults from Control Panel

• On the printer’s touchscreen, go to Setup > Printer Maintenance > Restore > Restore Factory Defaults.
• Confirm the reset.
• The printer will restart and clear saved settings, including administrator lock.

Reset

• Power off the printer.
• Hold down the # and 3 buttons simultaneously.
• While holding, reconnect the power cord.
• Continue holding until the printer powers on.
• This semi-reset clears configuration without affecting firmware.

Re-add Printer in Windows 11

• Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
• Remove the old printer entry.
• Click Add device and select the OfficeJet Pro 8620.
• This ensures your computer communicates with the refreshed printer settings.

The administrator lock is cleared by restoring factory defaults or performing a semi-reset. Once reset, you can reconfigure the printer on your network and regain full access.

Would you like me to also share how to set up a new administrator password after the reset, so the printer doesn’t lock you out again in the future?

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[AST-Antony]

I appreciate the reply! Just to confirm this reset procedure is for the, HP A7F65A | Officejet Pro 8620 e-All-in-One Color InkJet Printer,

Because the printer is have only has a power button in the bottom left and 3 touchscreen buttons next to the screen. I dont know how i would hold the # and 3 button.

[Hawks_Eye]

I understand the confusion—it can feel tricky when the printer’s physical layout doesn’t match the reset instructions you’ve seen. Thank you for carefully describing the button arrangement on your OfficeJet Pro 8620; that detail helps clarify the situation.

Here’s the correct path for your model:

 

Step 1: Restore Factory Defaults from Touchscreen

1. On the printer’s touchscreen, tap Setup (gear icon).
2. Navigate to Printer Maintenance.
3. Select Restore → Restore Factory Defaults.
4. Confirm the reset. The printer will restart and clear saved settings, including administrator lock.

 

Step 2: Access Embedded Web Server (EWS)

1. Ensure the printer is connected to your network (Wi‑Fi or Ethernet).
2. Print a Network Configuration Page from the touchscreen (Setup → Reports → Network Configuration).
3. Note the IP address.
4. Enter that IP address into a browser on your Windows 11 PC.
5. This opens the EWS. If prompted for an admin password, try leaving it blank or using “admin.” If a password was set previously, you’ll need that one. After a factory reset, the password should clear.

 

Step 3: Re‑add Printer in Windows

1. On your PC, open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.
2. Remove the old printer entry.
3. Click Add device and select the OfficeJet Pro 8620.
4. This ensures your computer communicates with the refreshed printer settings.

These steps are the right way to clear the administrator lock on the OfficeJet Pro 8620 since the model relies on touchscreen navigation rather than physical key combinations.

Regards,

Hawks_Eye

[AST-Antony]

I will try that the next time im on-site, but I do have concerns because it will not let me hit the factory reset button because its locked out on the admin. Theoretically what if they did change the admin password and I cant access the web server to make the changes? Is there a way to factory reset the printer with being locked out by the admin and we forgot the password?

[Hawks_Eye]

Thanks for replying, @AST-Antony 

I understand your concern—it’s frustrating when the administrator lock prevents you from even reaching the factory reset option. You’ve already shown persistence with power cycles and button combinations, so let’s clarify what’s possible with the OfficeJet Pro 8620.

For this model, there isn’t a hidden “bypass” reset that overrides the administrator password. The reset options available through the touchscreen or the Embedded Web Server (EWS) are tied to the admin credentials. If the password was changed and is unknown, the printer cannot be factory‑reset without it. The design is intentional to protect access and settings.

Here’s what you can still try to isolate the situation:

• Check for default credentials: After certain resets, the admin password may revert to blank or “admin.” It’s worth testing those directly in the EWS.
   
• Network reset: From the touchscreen, you can reset just the network settings (Setup → Network Setup → Restore Network Defaults). This doesn’t require admin access and can sometimes allow you to reconnect and reattempt EWS access.
   
• Confirm lock scope: Sometimes the “locked by administrator” message applies only to specific menus. If you can still reach Reports, print the Network Configuration Page and attempt EWS login with default credentials.
   
• Windows side: Remove and re‑add the printer in Windows Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners. This ensures the PC isn’t holding onto stale credentials.

If the administrator password was changed and cannot be recovered, the printer cannot be fully factory‑reset from the control panel or EWS. In that case, the only path forward is to regain or reset the password through the administrator who set it.

Kind regards,

Hawks_Eye