Windows 11 Setup continuous setup problems

[Rob19641]

Specific to the HP Envy 5663, All in One.  I have been using HP printers for years.  I have been using the HP Smart App for years.  No problems.  Loved it.  Until...  I have yet to be able to successfully install, and use, the HP Smart App since an upgrade to Windows 11.  I simply want to, as I've done before, plug in my printer to the PC using an old fashioned USB cable.  I want that printer, and that printer alone, to be the default printer.  I simply want to use the HP Smart App to scan.  I simply want to be able to print from whatever software I'm using and use that software to determine paper size, orientation, etc..   So far, I've been unsuccessful.  I can get it installed and working properly.  I can even reboot and it will work properly.  But invariably, it will foul up within a week of use and then we're off to another round of uninstalling, reinstalling, change this, change that, reboot, update, reinstall, uninstall.   

The hardware is fine but HP has dropped the ball on the software. 

To clarify:

I do NOT want to connect by network.  Stop asking.

I do NOT want to connect by wifi.  Stop asking.

I do NOT, in any way shape or form, have any interest, at all, in using a virtual "HP Smart Printer" that has installed itself, reinstalls itself after removing, and, after I finally kill it off by choosing drivers, pops back up again.

Can someone, please, direct me towards the single driver I need and a simple install of the HP Smart printing app?  The downloads page is riddled with all kinds of suites, driver packages, and updates.  I simply want to use the printer and scanner, plugged in with a USB cable.  

Thank you.  I apologize for my tone but this has gone on long enough.  If it can't be rectified, a good (HP) printer is going in the dumpster and will NOT be replaced with another HP product. 

[Dragon-Fur]

@Rob19641 

Welcome to the HP Community Forum.

Update / Edits -

Add content / Add example

Correct Example Image

I have read on occasion that HP Smart will work without the benefit of being connected to the network.

I have not seen this to be the case -- if it works, excellent.

If you cannot use HP Smart for any reason, consider using the full driver printer software.

Instructions for installing the full driver are included later in this message.

Scroll to section Install Full Feature Software

Note that installing the full driver printer software might increase your overall control of the printer features.

Both HP Smart and the Full Feature Software can be installed on the computer at the same time.

Control driver selection during the current job > HP named driver, HP Smart Printing, Fax, other driver

HP Smart Printing provides a modern GUI (user interface) and eliminates conflict errors.

HP Smart Printing works with HP Smart and other printing software (for example, Word).

Like other drivers (for example, Fax or OneNote), Use of HP Smart Printing is not mandatory.

First > Configure the default driver selection in Printer Properties

Next > Select the Printer and the driver to be used in the current job in the application / software used to view and submit the job to the printer

Examples are included later in this message in section HP Smart Printing

=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+

HP Smart Application - Windows

If the HP Smart application is already installed and it is not working,

Try an application Reset --

Note:  The Reset removes the data from the app > Start HP Smart > Sign in using your HP Account credentials > "Add Printer"

HP_Smart_Win_Apps-and-Features_ Reset_2

If the Reset fails to help,

Uninstall the app from Apps and Features > Restart the computer and log in > "Get" a copy of the app from the  Microsoft Store

Note:  Uninstall / Install of the app requires > Start HP Smart > Sign in using your HP Account credentials > "Add Printer"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For those reading - Installing Full Feature Software / Full Driver Printer Software

There are two methods that support installing the Full Feature Software / full driver

The procedure outlined in this post uses the full web package as the installation package.

Reminder:  When / If using Easy Start

• Skip any extra software / offers you do not want – Wording varies as does the number of times you have to “skip” or opt-out of various options.
• When asked, opt for "Full Software and Drivers" (exact wording might vary).
• Easy_Start_Full_Driver_2

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+

Install Full Feature Software

Start...

Full Feature Software / Full Driver printer software - Installation Package - Information / Download and Save

HP ENVY 5660 e-All-in-One Printer Series Full Feature Software and Drivers 

If you have not done so,

Restart everything, including the router that controls your network.

If the printer is accepted on the network...

If the full driver printer software is (already) installed but not working,

• Uninstall any printer software from Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features
• Restart the computer and sign in.

Next,

• Check (for the Printer) in Devices and Printers  > If found, Right-Click Printer and Remove -- If any changes are made, that is, you remove anything, Restart the computer and sign in.

Next,

• If using a printer USB cable between the printer and the computer, disconnect the cable before installing the printer software.
  

• Install a fresh copy of the Full Feature Software / Full Driver printer software
• If using a printer USB cable between the printer and the computer, connect the cable when instructed (near the end of the installation).

Details / How-to / Examples

Provided FYI - Use or discard as suits your situation.

If you are sure the full driver is not installed

AND / OR

If you do not need the extra information provided in the first sections,

(then) Skip down to section Printer Software

=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+

Preparation

>>> Check / Install the Full Feature Software / full driver printer software

The full driver provides the foundation on which other programs and printing software depend.

The driver includes HP Scan – HP Scan supports scanning / saving / printing your scan content.

If you have not done so,

In addition to the HP Smart application,

Install the Full Feature Software / full driver printer software for the printer.

HP Smart and other print software / applications benefit from having the full driver installed.

Make sure your VPN is switched Off when installing the HP Smart application or the printer software.

Printer Software Check - Is the full driver printer software installed?

Notes

When the full driver printer software is installed,

Find the printer software listed in Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features.

The installation of the full printer software adds shortcut icons to the Desktop.

• The Printer Assistant is named for the printer and provides access to Print , Scan , and Tools
• HP Scan is named for itself and provides a direct call to the HP Scan software.
• Where supported, when installed as part of the HP Smart application, HP Smart Printing is a modern style print driver that supports printing for Images and Documents.

Programs_and_Features_Printer_Desktop_Icons_9

Next...

If… Installed Software is out of date or is not working

NOTE:  If the printer software shows installed but is not working as expected, remove and reload the software.

NOTE:  Windows 11

Windows Start > Search for Control Panel and open

Uninstall the printer software from Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features

Restart the computer and log in

What if?

If software will not uninstall, appears to be removed and is “still hanging around” after you uninstall / Restart...

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

OR

Revo Uninstaller (Free version)

then

Restart the computer and log in

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

Next,

Install a fresh copy of the Full Feature Software / Full Driver printer software

Restart the computer and log in

=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+

Printer Software

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

Preparation

• 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.

• 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.

• 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).

• Observation:  It is possible (assuming your Wireless Network is stable) that using a Wireless connection to install the printer software might work better than using an Ethernet Connection.   Personal choice - the Wireless connection method is recommended when you face insurmountable issues installing the software.

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 a printer USB cable between the printer and the computer, connect the cable when instructed (near the end of the installation).
• After the software is installed, Restart the computer and log in

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

NOTES

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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

=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+

HP Smart Printing

Smart Printing is a driver queue that, once installed, resides in Devices and Printers.

True - Once installed, Smart Printing will come back if removed.

HP Smart Printing is not tied to the printer hardware.

Use of the HP Smart Printing is not mandatory.

Set the Default printer device as desired:

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

Next,

Printer Properties and Printing Preferences

• Printer Driver is selected for the Printer in Printer Properties
• Preferred Settings (Shortcuts or Presets) are managed in Printing Preferences
• Printer Driver for the current job is selected in the software / application used to view and submit the job to the printer

Example - Printer Properties > Advanced > Select HP named driver

9025_Printer_Properties_Advanced_Driver_List_7

9025_Printing_Preferences_Everyday_5

Example - HP Smart - Windows - Simple PDF Print -- includes Printer / Driver selection

HP_Smart_Win_PDF_Print_6

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For those reading > Optional use of the HP Smart Printing Driver

If you do wish to use the HP Smart Printing driver,

Open the software / application for the job,

Open the Content to be printed,

Select the HP Smart Printing driver in the Printer list.

Example - HP Smart > Windows - HP Smart Printing > Simple PDF Print

HP_Smart_Win_Smart_Printing_PDF_2

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Example - Parts to the Printer Software

Parts_to_Printer_Software_3

=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+

References / Resources

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), Supplies, and more

Open

HP ENVY 5663 e-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"