Officejet 6815 Driver causes system refreshing

[dgv5]

I am setting up a new Lenovo Thinkcenter M720. Its running the latest Windows 10 (Ver 10.0.18363).
So far I've only installed OneDrive; the Office 365 suite; Chrome; Bitdefender; System Mechanic; Acrobat Reader; and drivers for a Samsung printer.  Everything is going smoothly.

However, when I then install the basic driver (from the HP site) for the HP Officejet 6815, as soon as the download file is executed I find that Windows DEVICE MANAGER begins to flash intermittently - as if it were refreshing over and over again.

File explorer, when it opens to THIS PC, also flashes ever 3-10 seconds.

If I uninstall the HP software, the flashing stops for both.

I have tried installing the HP drivers before the Samsung driver. No change. Flashing occurs after the HP drivers install.

At the time of the HP install, the event logs seem normal(ish) except perhaps

- Windows Logs>Security>   Audit Failure 4625, An Account Failed to log on.

Any ideas?

[Dragon-Fur]

@dgv5 

Your printer Full Feature Software is not brand new nor is it "exceedingly old".

Generally, software of this "vintage" is still supported in the latest Windows version.

That said, things don't always work as expected in every situation.

Discussion

The "fix" might be as simple as using "Run as Administrator" as opposed to using a Double-tap on the installation file to start the installation process.

If things get really weird, you could try the "complete cleanup" procedure that clears out the existing printer software for this printer and then lets you install the printer "fresh".

As a matter of making sure everything is indeed "ready", consider:

Once more, Run / Check Windows Updates:  Settings > Update and Security > Windows Update > Check for Updates

If any Updates are installed, Restart the computer and log in (even if not instructed to do sy by Windows)

Check / Update any final software / drivers for your Lenovo computer, including the BIOS.

If any Updates are installed, Restart the computer and log in (even if not instructed to do sy by your software update software.)

================================================================

Remove Printer and Reload Printer Software

Caveat:  I believe the following is generally supported in a non-HP computer setup.  Obviously, that may not actually be the case - ignore or adjust the procedure for anything that "does not fit" your situation,.

Try consider:

• Uninstall the existing printer software from Programs and Features
• Restart the computer and log in
• Open Category Software and Drivers in your printer Support Website
• Download-and-Save the Full Feature Software or HP Easy Start Printer Setup for your Operating System version.
• Navigate to the folder in which you saved the software installation package (likely Downloads)
• Right-Click on the downloaded package and "Run as Administrator" to start the installation

NOTE

1. If you use the EasyStart method, select the Full Feature Software (full driver) when the option is presented.

• After the software is installed, Restart the computer and log in

Details / Hints: 

• Read through the following text, then proceed with the steps that are relevant to your situation.
• For best results, do not ignore the suggested Restart
• Procedure includes optional “extra” clear and clean steps for the purpose training and to help “troubled” software installations. Extra sections are marked with an asterisk pair “**” front and back.
• In general, most installations tend to work better if Windows Updates and your other computer Updates are installed and current.

** Printer Software – Blocked in Security Software **

Check your Security Software to make sure the printer software is not being blocked.  Most Security software will allow you to make an exception for applications / software you want to use on your computer.

If you make changes to the security software setup, Restart your computer and log in.

Printer Software – Preparation

Find, Download, and Save your printer software on your computer.

Open Support Home

Enter the name of your device (full model name)

Open category Software and Drivers (wording may vary slightly)

Download-and-Save the Full Feature Software or HP Easy Start Printer Setup for your Operating System version.

Printer Software – Uninstall Existing Software

Uninstall existing printer software from Programs and Features.

Method One - Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features >

Method Two - Settings > Apps > Apps and Features >

Search or Scroll down

Uninstall the printer software

After the software is removed, Restart the computer and log in

If printer software will not uninstall, appears to be removed and then shows up again, or is otherwise not “going away” when you tell it to do so, try an Uninstaller program.

Microsoft:  Fix problems that block programs from being installed or removed

** Printer Software – Lurking in the Device Manager **

Check / Verify:  If the printer is still lurking in the Device Manager, remove it.

Control Panel > icon view > Device Manager

Expand category Printers

If any unwanted printer name or “Unknown Device” is listed,

Right-Click on the printer / device > Uninstall

Expand category Imaging Devices

If any unwanted printer name or “Unknown Device” is listed,

Right-Click on the printer / device > Uninstall

Restart the computer and log in

** Printer Drivers – Lurking in Devices and Printers **

Check / Verify:  If the printer drivers are still lurking in Devices and Printers, remove driver(s) related to the printer.

Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers

Left-Click on any unwanted Printer found in the Printers list

Clicking on a printer, displays options along the ribbon (near the top of the Devices and Printers window)

Click Print Server Properties > tab Drivers

Click on Driver(s) in list, select Remove > OK to exit menu

Back in Devices and Printers > Right-Click on the printer > Remove Device

Restart the computer and log in

** Printer Software – Lurking in the User Account **

Check / Verify:  Printer related files and folders are stored in the User AppData hierarchy.  If you have had trouble getting the printer to work, complete this step to delete files from the Temp folder.

Method One - Open File Explorer > Navigate to C:\Users\YourAccount\AppData\Local\Temp

OR Method Two – Windows key + X + R (Run command) > type %temp%

Delete the files in the Temp folder (It is expected that some files cannot be deleted, ignore these)

Restart the computer and log in

Installation - Printer Software

NOTES

• If using USB, disconnect the USB cable between the printer and the computer before starting the installation.
• Connect the cable when instructed to do so (toward the end of the installation procedure).

• Some (newer) printer models provide the "Easy Start" install method. When applicable, Easy Start will be found in the Software and Drivers website support page > Category Software \

• Within Easy Start, you will be given the opportunity to install the software that is available.  Full Feature Software might be described as the "Full Driver" software.

HP Documents

HP Printers - Finding Drivers, Apps, and Updates for HP Printers

HP Printers - Uninstalling the Printer Software (Windows)

HP Printers - Updating or Upgrading Printer Firmware

Standard - Manual Installation of the Downloaded Printer Software

• Open File Explorer
• Navigate to the folder in which you saved the Full Feature Software or HP Easy Start Printer Setup (likely Downloads)
• Double-tap on the installation package to start the installation of the software

OR

• Better, Right-Click on the installation package and “Run as Administrator”

NOTES

1. If you use the EasyStart method, select the Full Feature Software (full driver) when the option is presented.
2. After the software is installed, Restart the computer and log in

** Optional - Video help **

NOTE:  Videos may be found in one or more locations (depending on printer / software / version)

Open the printer Software and Drivers page >

Scroll down and select Related Videos > Click View All >

Find and view the relevant video

AND / OR

** Printer Homepage – “Things that are your printer” **

Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, Videos, Bulletins/Notices, How-to, Troubleshooting, User Guides, Product Information, more

Open the printer Website Support Homepage >

Scroll down and select Video Tutorials > Click View All >

Find and view the relevant video

AND / OR

HP Collection of “how-to” videos

HP Video Gallery

• Use Categories and the search window to narrow the search. 

For example,

Category Printers and All-in-Ones > Install, Setup, Drivers

• Select your Video

** Optional - For Windows 10 Users – Compatibility Mode **

If you have been having trouble getting the printer software to fully install (Printer Assistant is functional and Scanning works), consider using Compatibility.  Note that this method only fixes “one type” of difficulty; installing this way may – or may not – make the necessary difference.

Right-Click on the downloaded installation file > Properties > Compatibility 

Check "Run this program in compatibility mode for"

Select Windows 8 (or the closest you can find)

Click Apply and OK to close the Properties menu

Right-Click on the installation file and select to Run as Administrator

Firmware

Consider installing the printer Firmware

READ (when provided) all information and instructions before installing the firmware

If / After the firmware is installed, Restart the computer and log in

Reminder:  Firmware is normally updated after the printer software is installed / functional.

** Port Issues - Create a TCP/IP port **

The assigned port may fail to connect the printer or certain printer activities (Scan).  Create / Switch to a TCP/IP Port to facilitate communication and prevent ‘offline’ issues

How-to “Create TCP Port” Contributed by  greenturtle:

Create TCP IP port

1. Print a Configuration Page to get the printer's IPv4 address (you can also tap on the wireless icon on the Front panel of your Printer to get the IP address)
2. On your PC, go to Control Panel, from Devices and Printers, Right-Click the printer and Left-Click Printer Properties, select the Ports tab.
3. Click Add Port, select Standard TCP/IP Port, then select New Port and follow the wizard.
4. Type in the proper IP address for the printer.

This video resource will show you how to do it:
Create & Use TCP IP port

Note that you can ALWAYS revert back to the original port that the HP software installed by selecting the HP port under the Ports tab (in Printer Properties)

================================================================

Reference and Resources – Places to find (more) help and learn about your Printer

Clarification of terms and "what the printer can do" (Specifications)

Printer Homepage – “Things that are your printer”

NOTE:  Content depends on device type and Operating System

HP Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, Lots of How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, Access to the Print and Scan Doctor (Windows), User Guides, Product Information, more

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

HP Officejet 6815 e-All-in-One Printer

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Click Thumbs Up on a post to say Thank You!

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[dgv5]

Thank you for your detailed reply, Dragon-Fur.
Many of your suggestions had been tried, but to be thorough, I did completely uninstall and clean before trying all your steps in order. 
Still no luck.

From a clean restore point prior to software installs, everything is fine.
Then, just as in my previous attempts, after downloading the driver and having it install, the device manager starts flashing again just as the HP Driver installation is nearing completion.
Out of curiosity, I took an older computer I have (a 5-year old Asus running Windows 10). Device Manager is fine with it.  I tried installing the HP driver on it.  And, as with the new computer, device manager begins flashing just as the installation nears completion.

While this is certainly annoying, the printer works (both printing & scanning) and I haven't noticed any problems more serious.  Maybe I'll just have to live with it.

[Dragon-Fur]

@dgv5 

You are welcome.

In truth, I do not have any reasonable explanation for the Device Manager.  That this normally behind-the-scene software should start on its own and behave in such a manner surprises me.  I understand that the Device Manager, once opened, will continually update content as detected device status changes - I have no explanation for the software behaving erratically.  It sounds like a device conflict.

You might take a look at updating the printer firmware - outdated firmware can produce some odd results.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

[dgv5]

Thank you, Dragon-Fur.
I didn't mean to suggest that Device Manager starts on its own. It doesn't.  I meant that if Device Manager is open (or opened) once the HP drivers are installed, then DevMgr. flashes. I understand that device manager would refresh as detected device status changes - I just don't understand why it continually refreshes (every 2-5 seconds) when the HP driver is installed, but it didn't do that just prior to the HP driver being installed.

(BTW: I did update the printer's firmware before trying the suggestions you previously provided.)

Oh well....

Thanks for your suggestions.  I do appreciate the input of an expert.

[Dragon-Fur]

@dgv5 

You are welcome.

Edits - Added content 

Sometimes Dragon leaps in the wrong direction.  

OK, good;  having opened the Device Manager makes more sense.  Smiling.

Sounds like a conflict of some sort (duh) but I don't have any more information at the moment.

I will take a look around and see if I can find an easy way to dig out a report from the system (assuming it knows anything is wrong).    

If I have anything to add, I will post back.

Edits... Making Notes...

I am in deeper water here - forgive any outright errors; much of this is guess work...

The obvious, something you have likely checked, is a USB conflict - If related, this would be interesting because installing the printer software seems to initiate the problem - Odd because the installation and the connection to the printer is likely wireless. 

One of the many generally available articles on the subject:

Windows 10/Device Manager keeps refreshing

Another interesting tidbit - Bluetooth adapter - not at all sure  how that could be connected to the printer (unless it supports bluetooth, a few printers do so.)

Very interesting - Recent - posted 22oct2019 - see the last entry regarding Windows 10 and printers...

Windows 7: Device Manager list flashing off/refreshing every 2 sec

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

Click Thumbs Up on a post to say Thank You!

Answered? Select the relevant post "Accept as Solution" to help others find it.