can't use a brand new printer, error EBS00P0004

[alpopon]

So I bought laserjet MFP M140w two days ago and I have spent two desperate days of trying to set it up! The best I could get was this error - EBS00P0004. I mean that was really the furthest I could get in the installation process, the rest of the times the printer was not even discoverable (it says it's offline)... What does this error mean and how can I FINALLY install and use this printer?
Thanks for your help!

[sandytechy20]

@alpopon

Welcome to the HP support community.

I understand that you are getting an EBS00P0004 error when installing the printer

Perform root level uninstallation to remove all the printer related software's.

• In Windows, search for and open Programs and Features.
• Select your HP printer.
• Select Uninstall.
• In Windows, search for and open Devices and Printers.
• In the Devices and Printers window look for your HP Printer. If you see it listed, right-click on it and choose "Delete" or "Remove Device.”
• Open up the run command with the "Windows Key + R" key combo.
• Type printui.exe /s and click OK.
• Click on Drivers tab.
• Look for HP Printer driver. If you see it click on it and click Remove at the bottom.
• Select OK.
• Remove all instances of the same.
• Select Apply and OK on the Print Server Properties windows.
• Close Devices and Printers. 
• Restart the PC again.

Download and install printer using HP Smart app

Click here to download.

Update the printer firmware to install the latest updates

Here are the steps:- Click here

I hope this helps resolve this issue completely.

To thank me for my efforts to help you, please mark my post as an accepted solution so that it benefits several others.

Cheers.

[Never_again1]

I had the same issue when trying to set up my newly bought HP LaserJet m209dwe. I used three hours of my precious time, and ended up setting up a whole bunch of ethernet around the office to get it connected, because none of the so called Smart Start systems would work, or even tell me what the problem was.

I don't get why HP choses to make things HARDER for the customer by demanding a) that the printer be connected to the internet, b) that I install their stupid and useless app to be able to install a driver, c) require I set up an account with their service to be able to use the printer I bought. Or correction: I get it. It's because of greed and wanting to force us to give them our data, and to ram their subscription model down our throats. Well guess what? It's backfired, and I'm now so fed up that this has tainted the HP brand for me. I'll probably avoid anything HP in the future, and have not yet decided if I'll just return the printer or not.

Easily the worst user experience I've yet had with a printer, and that's saying something.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful, but I guess my solution was to connect both my laptop (which required me to borrow a docking station) and the printer to the network over Ethernet (which required a few trips to our network router cabinet), after which the Smart Start process actually finished. When this could all have been handled by connecting directly using a USB cable.

[Never_again1]

After some further tinkering, I can add this:

The printer actually works as a normal printer as well, but the installation is tricky, since it seems HP has intentionally made it not show up when looking for printers using the Windows function. BUT, if you manage to get a test page printed (not the Win test page, but the printer's own) through using USB connection, or some other way, the printer's IP address is printed on it. You can then use the Windows function 'Add manually' and choose IP address as the way to locate the printer. Doing this, the printer installs its drivers normally, and shows up as one would expect in the printer selectors.

This all just goes to show that it's HP intentionally crippling their devices, to force people to use their buggy app.

Ps. If you have access to your ethernet or WIFI router, you can probably find the IP address through there as well, depending on which way the printer is connected.

[alpopon]

Hi, thanks a lot for posting a reply so quickly. I had a bit of a burn out with this printer (just completely gave up after two days), so it's only today that I dared to turn it on again and try your fix.
Well... I can't say it worked. I did all steps as described and now I get to a new error (error code OW_4XX_OWSWS00001, see screenshot).

The funny thing is, there is a Get Support button in the lower right corner of the error message and when I click there it opens the browser and gives me "Page not found" error message. That is to close the surreal loop.

I can say that I have never bought a more non user friendly device, the user experience is sub-zero.

I will now try to repeat the steps in your reply, just in case (though all hope is gone). 
Do you have any idea what this new error message might mean?
Is there a way to setup and use the printer without the HP Smart app?

Thanks in advance!

[alpopon]

I couldn't agree more! Worst user experience ever.
I managed to print a test page, sadly that is the only thing that this printer can print at this point. There is a flashing exclamation mark on its panel and when I try to print something, it prints the test page with the IP and other info about it.

I tried adding the printer through "Printers and Scanners" in Windows, a pathetic attempt to by pass the "smart" app... Well, windows kept saying the printer is offline, even though on the test page it says it's connected to the same wifi as the PC.

I will keep trying, but, God, I will never ever buy any HP product again.

[alpopon · Accepted solution]

Update:
So I repeated the steps in the 1st reply - same error message. Then I started searching for a way to factory reset the printer, so that I can try a 3rd time. I found this article: https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_4411816-4315131-16

Followed the steps for HP LaserJet MFP M139e printer (although mine is 140we, but I figured it's in the same boat somehow). After performing the factory reset twice (didn't work the 1st time and I restarted the router, PC, the printer, uninstalled smart app, installed again) I finally managed to setup the printer and printed a couple of pages to test it. So far it works.
Can't believe it! I hope I don't find another error message when I try printing something tomorrow, as I honestly don't trust this brand anymore.