Printer Preferences

[Mikie19598]

I have a HP Deskjet wireless Printer and i love it i have always felt that HP makes the best Printers , But i try to go into Printer Preferences to set it for the economy Printing so it does not use so much ink but there is a lock on it why is this and how can i unlock this function.

[Dragon-Fur]

@Mikie19598 

Welcome to the HP User Community.

In general, there are a couple of places to look for Printing Preferences and how they interact with your printer software.

If you have not done so,

Install the Full Feature Software / Full Driver printer software.

Printing Preferences support the printing features available on the printer.

Not all options are compatible with all other options.

If an option is locked, it might be due to having selected another option that is incompatible.

Example - Printing Preferences - "Everyday Printing"

9025_Printing_Preferences_Everyday_4

Example - HP Smart - Simple PDF print

HP_Smart_W10_PDF_Print_10

References / Resources

Printer Software

Download and Save the Installation package

HP Easy Start Printer Setup Software 

Basic Instructions - Install the Full Feature Software / Full Driver printer software

Preparation

• If using VPN, shut it off to install software.  NOTE >> If you don’t know what this is, you are not using a VPN – ignore this part.

• If the printer software is still / already installed, Uninstall the printer software  from Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features > Restart the computer and log in – Reference Uninstall HP printer software and drivers

After the printer software is uninstalled, check that the printer is not still lurking in Devices and Printers. 

 If (the printer is) listed, Right-Click on the printer and "Remove" > Restart the computer and sign in.

• Reminder:  If using USB cable between printer and computer, disconnect the cable before installing software.  Later... Connect the cable when instructed (near the end of the installation procedure).

Installation

• Download and Save the Full Feature Software installation package or the Easy Start Software
• Open File Explorer
• Navigate to the folder in which you saved the installation file  (likely Downloads)
• Right-Click on the installation package and “Run as Administrator”
• If using Easy Start > When asked, opt for "Full Driver" (exact wording might vary).
• If using Easy Start > Skip any extra software / offers you do not want (wording varies).
• After the software is installed, Restart the computer and log in

NOTES

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Preparation > Check / enable the printer as the “Default Printer”

Settings > Devices > Printers and scanners

UNCHECK (clear box) Let Windows manage my default printer

Select (Left-Click) your printer from the list of printers > Manage > Set as Default

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Set Printing Preferences – Windows

NOTES

• This section is not applicable to Mobile Printing.
• Access to the complete Printer Preferences requires having installed the Full Driver printer software.
• The printer should be selected as the default and current printing device.
• Printing Preferences are available directly from the driver. 
• Printing Envelopes?  See NOTE

Windows 11

Settings > System > Bluetooth & devices > Printers and scanners

Check the list of devices – Select / Open Printer > Select Printing Preferences

Windows 11 – Settings Path to “Devices and Printers”

Settings > System > Bluetooth & devices > Scroll down > Devices and printers

Windows 10

Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers

Right-Click on your printer > Printing Preferences

• When called from within printing software / applications, Printing Preferences might be called "Printer Properties" / "Shortcuts" / “More Settings” / “Properties” / "Printer Setup" or similar.

• No Size?  If the size of the Paper Size is not included in the Drop-down list, consider / try:  Create a Custom Paper Size Form.  Reference:  HP Printers - Creating Custom Paper Sizes

NOTE >> Word > Mailings > Envelopes  :: Preferences and Envelopes 

Select / leave Printing Preferences Shortcut to "Everyday Printing" or something equally benign. 

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HP Smart for Windows

HP Smart is an application available in the Microsoft Store

OR

Open the Homepage / Support Website for your printer

Category Software and Drivers > Check/ Get the App

>>> Open and Read >>> HP printer setup (HP Smart app)

NOTES: 

• Disconnect from Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection before downloading.

• Turn on Wi-Fi on your computer or mobile device and connect to your network. If the computer is connected to the network with an Ethernet cable, temporarily disconnect the cable and use the Wi-Fi connection during the setup.

• HP Smart requires that you sign into the application using your HP Account credentials.

• When working through a browser to access HP Smart, be sure you have Cookies enabled.  If cookies are enabled and you are having trouble, clear Cache and Cookies.   And / Or … Try a different browser – assign that browser as the Default. (Note:  Chrome not working?  Use / Assign a different default browser.)

• Where possible, HP Smart benefits (likes) having the Full Feature Software / full driver printer software installed.  For example, full driver provides access to Shortcuts and Printing Preferences.

• Document includes the HP Smart application download links for Windows and Mobile devices, plus an FAQ section to assist with questions / issues.
  •  FAQ examples: 
    • What are the requirements to use the HP Smart app?
    • Which printers are compatible with the HP Smart app?
    • Why do I need to sign in or create an account to use the HP Smart app features?
    • Which languages does the HP Smart app support?
  • Older versions of the HP Smart app no longer support the required login feature.
  • Update the application to the latest version to access / use HP Smart

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HP Printer Home Page - References and Resources – Learn about your Printer  - Solve Problems

 “Things that are your printer”

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

NOTE:  Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories:  Alerts, Access to the Print and Scan Doctor (Windows), Warranty Check, HP Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, Lots of How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, Manuals > User Guides, Product Information (Specifications), more

Open

HP DeskJet 2636 All-in-One Printer 

Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

Click Helpful = Yes to say Thank You

Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"

[Mikie19598]

I have installed all the software for this printer and nothing has changed when i go into preferences to change the printing quality there is still a lock on every setting why is this why can't i change this like i use to before i got a wifi printer. When i first installed this printer i did not have this Issue but for some reason now it is locked and why i don't know.

[Dragon-Fur]

@Mikie19598 

Something else is going on.

OK.

Is the software now listed in Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features?

It is normal for the standard templates to show as locked in Printing Preferences.

It is normal that the settings can be adjusted and then saved under a new Shortcut name (Custom Shortcut).

I think I do not understand what you are saying.

If you like, Create a  Snip of what this looks like on the screen, save the content as .jpg file.

Post back and add the image to your message using the camera icon in the editor you use to post.

Example - Printing Preferences - Shortcut "Everyday Printing"

9025_Printing_Preferences_Everyday_4

If I can help, I will respond to your message after you get back to me...

Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

Click Helpful = Yes to say Thank You

Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"

[Mikie19598]

ok do you see how everything has a lock on it like i can not change any of these settings , why does this happen i have always had HP printers and this has never, done this  this  happened until i got this wifi printer i have now with the locks on there i can't change anything so why is this locked.

[Dragon-Fur]

@Mikie19598 

It is normal that the standard templates show as locked.

You should be able select a template, adjust the settings as you wish,  then use "Save As" to create a new custom Shortcut that includes your settings.

Read here:

Printing Preferences:  HP print settings guide (Windows, Mac)

References / Resources

 User Guide

Page 35

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HP Printer Home Page - References and Resources – Learn about your Printer  - Solve Problems

 “Things that are your printer”

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

NOTE:  Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories:  Alerts, Access to the Print and Scan Doctor (Windows), Warranty Check, HP Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, Lots of How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, Manuals > User Guides, Product Information (Specifications), more

Open

HP DeskJet 2636 All-in-One Printer 

Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

Click Helpful = Yes to say Thank You

Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"

[Mikie19598]

I tried to set it like you said and i saved it but nothing changed it still prints slow as usual not fast like it should.

[Dragon-Fur]

@Mikie19598 

I don't know.

Printing is not fast" is not the same thing as editing a locked template to create a Custom Shortcut (original question).

If the slow printing is related to your custom Shortcut setup or the selected settings,

Possible places to look might include:

The settings might be incorrect for the paper size / paper type and the current job.

What else?

The printer software might be corrupted.  ?

The printer might need to be "Restarted" as described here:

 HP printer does not turn on

Section > Internal power supply > Step #1:  Recycle power to the printer

If the printer is not able to print as expected, there might be other issues.

Color or Black Ink Not Printing

If I have anything else to offer, I will post back.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

Click Helpful = Yes to say Thank You

Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"