older Printer being forced to route through smart app no support for printer

[Jcbq]

hello im frankly really fed up with this at this point as i have had this printer for several years now and after being forced to install the print app which reports its offline but it can see it. Reports no errors or issues though but i cannot print through the app. I try and print through  other programs and ii get a near inffinite chain of configuration errors.

I try and redownload the driver suite through the web page and it forces me through the Smart app which this printer is not designed nor developed for thus functionally locking me out of ever using my all in one ever. ive tried the support doctor, and IF its ran after an 'install' through the smart app it will crash hang and never get past 'communicating with device' as i run it through USB thus, no error if its ran prior it reports missing or conflicting drivers, that i need to download from the site  and tries to uninstall and reinstall only to fail on auto reboot because, again the smart app cannot, or will not install the necessary devices to get it to operate the printer

ive uninstalled everyting Multiple times and the best i can get is having the device show up as 'offline' in the app and it can do nothing. I am at my wits end

[Dragon-Fur]

@Jcbq 

Welcome to the HP User Community.

I might not understand what you are seeing.

I am not saying what you describe is not happening - I am saying I don't see why it should be so.

I am not sure how you are being forced to use HP Smart. 

The application is supported for your printer and Operating System version.

I see HP Smart as one of the options in Software and drivers for HP ENVY 4500 e-All-in-One Printer series 

There are two parts to this:

• HP Smart application - supports printing and scanning PDF and Photos / Images.  HP Smart is supported in many regions and on many newer networked printers - The app is available from the  Microsoft Store .  HP Smart requires that you sign in using your HP Account credentials.
• HP Full Feature Software / Full Driver printer software - supports printing and scanning from the web, printing in programs (for example, Word), and access to the full range of Printing Preferences / Shortcuts.  The full driver printer software includes HP Scan.  No Sign-in required.

When installed,

HP Smart is listed in Settings > Apps > Apps and Features

HP Smart is never listed in Programs and Features

When installed,

The Full Driver printer software is listed in Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features

And

The Full Driver printer software can also show up in Settings > Apps > Apps and Features

Example - HP Full Feature Software / full driver printer software - Installed

Programs_and_Features_Printer_Desktop_Icons_6

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

If I understand what you are saying, you are using a USB connection, that is, a hard wire cable connection between the printer and the computer.

I have read that HP Smart might possibly work in this situation (USB) though the application might do better using a network connection.  Reference  Printer Specifications for HP ENVY 4500, DeskJet 3540 Printers

What to do?

I think your best option - perhaps because you do not want or cannot use the HP Smart application :

If you have not done so,

If you can do so,

Install the full driver printer software.

The Full Feature Software / full driver printer software is available for this printer.

Full Feature Software / full driver printer software - Installation Package - Information and Download

HP ENVY 4500 e-All-in-One Print and Scan Driver and Accessories 

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

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

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 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

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HP ENVY 4500 e-All-in-One Printer series 

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

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Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"

[Jcbq]

Correct there are two parts to this. i have tried to run the all in one software and as im installing that it REQUIRES me to install the HP smart print Microsoft Store specific application, Along with HP Easy Start. I attempt to skip that step and Microsoft office and additional programs spits there is a configuration error with the printer itself, this is also with the internal all in one ENVY 4500 program 

IF HP Doctor is ran at this time will report driver CONFLICT and say it cant do anything to repair it and to uninstall and reinstall manually

If i complete the install and install the Miicrosoft HP Smart App, and run the Easy Start app i am told to install, the HP smart app will actively supress the printer by forcing it to stay in an offline state, with it reporting in its printer status window as 'uninstalled'  but connected. however HP Doctor can see it and can communicate with it sending test pages and commands to it reporting that there is 'nothing wrong' but i still cannot print or use the device because again, configuration error  the internal software reports random errors codes when i try and do anything.

installing it isnt the problem. but given how the installer is setup it appears i am required to use the HP Smart app to even get the printer to show up on my device for some reason

[Dragon-Fur]

@Jcbq 

OK.

I've never seen more than the suggestion that HP Smart is "recommended" when using HP Easy Start.

Using a couple of "Skip" this and "Yes, Skip" normally lets the full driver install.

I've seen one instance recently where the installation balked part way through though not exactly as you describe.

Starting over, I downloaded and ran Easy Start - I used "Skip" multiple times to convince the installer I wanted the full driver and it worked.

Can't help, I'm afraid.  What you describe is not working the way I'd expect.

If I have anything else to offer, I'll 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"

[Jcbq]

its not 'recommended' as the third step of the all in one installer says that step three is to go online and register/activate the device. when you hit next there it takes you to the HP Smart Print Download page there is nothing that says recommended

[Dragon-Fur]

@Jcbq 

I believe you - I can't duplicate the behavior.

Maybe because...

I don't ever "register" or check online or continue online.

I never use the "go online" parts - I always close (X) that menu during the last part of the installation.

Closing (X) asks, "Are you sure?"  Yep, sure.

??

Dead end, I guess.

Hopefully, another Expert can untangle what you are seeing and help.

No, it's not supposed to be so difficult and No, it's not supposed to just fail to work at all.

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"

[Jcbq]

by no means am i faulting you for not having an answer, and i apologize if it seems like i am. i am just... frustrated. I do appreciate all of your help however