Printer assistant error

[Cousinchas]

After an update from HP, the "printer assistant" no longer works. I get an error message:"string not found".

The printer works when I click print on any program I am useing but I can't go to Printer Assistant to scan from the computer.

I have already uninstalled and reinstalled with latest updates and used the Print & Scan Doctor. None of that fixed it.

Any other ideas?

[Jeet_singh]

@Cousinchas,

Thank you for showing your interest in HP Support Forums. It is a great place to find the help you need, from other users, HP experts, and other support personnel. I see from your post that you are having issues with the HP Printer assistant not working after the recent update. Don't worry we'll work together to help you find a solution.

Splendid effort and fabulous description of the issue before posting. Kudos to you on that score.  You are a valued HP customer and it is paramount to assist you here. I take it as a privilege to share this platform with you. 

As you have mentioned in your post that you have already tried uninstalling and reinstalling the printer drivers but that has not helped. Let's try to do a root level uninstall and reinstall of the printer drivers.

I would suggest here is to Run Windows Updates troubleshooter -

Download and install the troubleshooter from this link.

Now try to perform Windows Updates - 

1) In the search box, type and open Windows Updates. 
2) Check for updates. 
3) If the updates are available, click on install and restart the computer. 

Now, let's try to uninstall the printer from the root level and then reinstall it by following the steps below: 

• Press “Windows key” + “r” to get the “Run” window.
• Type "services.msc" to get Services – Go to “Print spooler” – Right-click and “Stop” the service.
• Now again open "Run" - Type “spool” and ok - Go to PRINTERS folder - delete everything in that folder.
• Go to services again - Start the print spooler.
• Now check for issue resolution.
• If the issue persists, also try clean installing the printer drivers. Here are the steps:
• First, unplug the USB cable from the printer if present.
• Go to Control panel – Programs and feature – Select all the HP Envy printer entries and uninstall them.
• Now go to Control panel – Devices and printer – Select all the printer entries and remove the device.
• Press the "windows key" + "r" to get the "Run" window open - Type "printui.exe /s" (There is a space between .exe & /) and press enter.
• Under print server properties, go to drivers - remove any entry there as well.
• Again, go to the Run window, type – “c:/programdata” – Go to Hewlett Packard folder, remove any printer related folders & files.
• Restart your computer.
• Please click here to download and install the software.
• Connect the USB cable if prompted and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Please let me know if this resolves the issue, or if you require further assistance!

Eagerly waiting for your response!

that said, If the information I've provided was helpful, 

give us some reinforcement by clicking the solution and kudos buttons, 

that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!

Good Luck.

[Cousinchas]

Mr. Singh,

Did you get my reply yesterday which I sent as a direct reply from your email? In it I said not of the procedure worked.

I still have the same problem with the HP icon. I attached images of the error messages that happen when I click the printer assistant icon. I would send the images with this reply but don't see how to do it. Please look at your emails.

"Cousinchas" 

Charles Walker 

[Roopa-S]

@Cousinchas,

It looks like you were interacting with @Jeet_singh, but he is out of the office today, so I'll take over from here. 

We did not get your direct message. To send the photos, you can use the Photos icon. Please refer to the image below.

Meanwhile, you may create a new user account in Windows that has administrative privileges and then once again install the drivers in the new user account and check if that works.

To create a new account, log in through any account with administrative privileges and follow these steps to create the account:

1. Click Start  , and then click Control Panel.

2. Under User Accounts and Family Safety, click Add or remove user accounts.

   If you are prompted for an Administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

   

3. Click Create a new account.

4. Type the name for the new account, click an account type, and then click Create Account.

The account has been created.

Hope this information helps. Keep me posted.

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[Cousinchas]

Below are the error messages I refered to. I don't understand what creating a new user account is going to do to fix the printer icon. This all started after an HP update.

[Roopa-S]

@Cousinchas
Thanks for that information. The steps below should resolve this issue:  

Step 1: Download and run HP Print and Scan Doctor

Step 2: Install the software patch manually

For instruction: Click here

Keep me posted.

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

[Cousinchas]

I received another email from Roopa-S this morning suggesting I use HP Print and Scan Doctor. As I have already said, I tried that but it did not fix anything.

[Roopa-S]

@Cousinchas

Since you were asked to try uninstalling the printer from the root level, I suggested trying HP Print and Scan Doctor again.

Did you try "Step 2: Install the software patch manually"?