Printer not printing

[MeeraV]

I  have been using this printer for the last decade on windows xp and it is working fine.  i recently moved my Dell laptop to Windows 10 and now i am reinstalling the printer on this (this has only a usb cable).  i have downloaded the latest software from the website and also installed the same on the OS.  initially i thought it was a cable problem and purchased a new one, but that too is not recognized.  the windows plug and play is not activated for the device.  the port is fine since i am using it for other devices such as external HDD, pendrives etc. finally i added the printer manually using windows 10 add printer option, now the OS now receognizes the printer as HP Deskjet 4100 series, but the usb option(USB001) is not available to choose from the list and hence i am unable to use the physical device

how can i address this issue.

regards,

meera

[Riddle_Decipher]

@MeeraV Could be a USB port issue on the printer.

1, firstly check all connections, are they okay? is the USB cable connected both sides,

2. re-plug the USB port then wait for a while. it might been installing device automatic. if it nothing happen in 5 min  then try press scan  on your printer . if the scan result is out into your computer this show that your printer is ok .

3. try to open device manager > find your printer ex. hp2515 under print device. (usually it on "Unknown device" with yellow sign)

4. click on it then choose the driver tab > Update driver button . click on it . then update your driver,

5. if this ok . then test on your document check if the printer is detect or not yet,

this are reason might occur when your printer not detect by the computer 

1. old driver software. some of the printer device is limit the operating system driver to work. check the hp webpage to download the latest driver to make sure there are no problem with your printer when you want to print.

2. different Operating System (OS)  > driver not compatible.

3. USB cable . clean the USB port in both ways . try to blow a little to remove dust.

4. remove dust  clean your printer regularly to make sure for long term used.

5. if you are not regularly using the printer make sure you place it on a clean place to make sure the printer not collecting dust.

P.S: Welcome to HP Community 😉

Keep us posted,

If you would like to thank us for our efforts to help you, 

Give us a virtual high-five by clicking the 'Thumbs Up' icon below, followed by clicking on the "Accept as solution" on this post, 

Have a great day!

[MeeraV]

Thank you for your reply.  Sorry for the delay in checking the reply status.  

This was working absolutely fine on Windows XP.  Only after i was forced to upgrade because of a HDD failure to Windows 10 that i am now facing this problem.

I have tried all of the above mentioned methods, including connecting it to another Windows  10 laptop (an office one, so no admin access and also a lot of restrictions in usage of USB).  Neither my home laptop nor the office laptop detects the printer as an device, i.e., it does not make the ping sound when the USB is connected to the laptop.  So could it be a hardware issue but the printer is switching on.   I was able to install the latest driver for F4185 on the laptop and also set it up as default printer, when i issue a test print it does not show any error message but there is no physical output.  What could be wrong?

Should i take it for servicing? (Thanks to the pandemic, i am unable to travel to far away HP outlets for servicing, so trying to solve it at home myself)

[KrazyToad]

@MeeraV

Thanks for keeping us posted

I suggest you uninstall the printer driver from root level and download the full feature software

1.) In Windows, search for and open Programs and features 
2.) Select your HP Printer 
3.) Select Uninstall 
4.) In Windows, search for and open Devices and printers 
5.) In the Devices and Printers windows look for your HP printer. If you see it listed right-click on it and choose ‘Delete’ or ‘Remove Device’ 
6.) Open up the run command with the “Windows key + R” key combo.
7.) Type printui.exe /s and click Ok. (Note: there is a space in between “printui.exe” and “/s”) 
8.) Click on the “Drivers” tab 
9.) Look for HP Printer driver. If you see it Click on it and click Remove at the bottom 
10.) Select Ok 
11.) Select Apply and Ok on the Print Server Properties windows 
12.) Close Devices and Printers
13.) Restart the computer and download the Full Feature Software from Here and follow the onscreen Instructions

Keep me posted

If the information I've provided was helpful, give us some reinforcement by clicking the "Solution Accepted" on this Post and it will also help other community members with similar issue.