Printer not recognised

[Mitch389]

I see I am not the only one having printer issues.

I have just upgraded my home laptop to win 11.  It is also a HP.  I have a HP Envy 5030 printer that until last month, printed quite happily.  Now, none of my devices recognise it and I either get the message 'Printer idle' or 'Printer is turned off'  I have deleted the printer and reloaded Hp/123.  I have reset the printer and tried to pair it to my laptop as a new device.  I even have the cable which is plugged in at the moment, yet my laptop doesn't recognise it.

HP Smart is as thick as custard.  It's not smart at all.  I cannot independently download any software or drivers for the printer without HP Smart.  Which doesn't recognise the printer.  What am i supposed to do?  If I go into my laptop settings, it sees the printer and will allow me to print of a test page, but I cannot scan or print anything from file.  Neither my iPhone or Android phone can read the printer either.

[Dragon-Fur]

@Mitch389 

Welcome to the HP User Community.

If you did an "in place" upgrade of the Windows OS to a new version, the installed printing software most certainly did not survive the process - too many changes in the file system.

Were it mine to do, I would remove the HP Smart application > Restart the computer and log in > Possibly reload the app or just wait to do that until the issue with the printer software is resolved...

Settings > Apps > Apps and Features

Next,

If you have not done so,

Restart everything, including the Router, Printer(s), Computer(s), and other devices that use the network.

Next,

Optimally, you need only complete the following:

• Check the Security software that it is not in some way infringing on your printer software.
• Uninstall the printer software from Programs and Features

NOTE

In the case of "really stuck" software, it might be best - or even necessary - to add the steps in the Check and Remove section

Next,

• Restart the computer and log in
• Install a fresh copy of the Full Driver

The Full Driver software should be an option during the installation using the HP Easy Start Software wrapper.

When provided the option, in spite of any messages that plead, beg, or try to reassure you otherwise, select the Full Driver.

Printer Software – Blocked in Security Software

Check your Security Software to make sure the printer software is not being blocked.  Most Security software will allow you to make an exception for applications / software you want to use on your computer.

If you make changes to the security software setup, Restart your computer and log in.

Uninstall Existing Printer Software (Full Feature Software)

Uninstall HP printer software and drivers

Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features >

Find / Select > Uninstall the printer software

Restart the computer and sign  in

Reminder: 

Windows > Uninstall HP printer software > Restart.

Next,

Open Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers

Check > If the printer is found, Right-Click and Remove the printer

If you have to "remove" the printer, next:  Restart the computer and sign in

NOTE:  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 sign in

Check and Remove Section

Reminders

• After all checks > If any changes are made > Restart the computer and log in
• Can't stand it?  Do the first one and ignore the others - see how it goes

Check / Remove - Printer Drivers – Lurking in Devices and Printers

Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers

Left-Click on any unwanted Printer found in the Printers list

(Top Ribbon) Click Print Server Properties > tab Drivers

Select each unwanted entry > Remove > OK to exit menu

Back in Devices and Printers > Right-Click on the printer > Remove Device

Check / Remove – Printer folder/files in C:\ ProgramData

Open File Explorer > Navigate to C:\ProgramData > Open folder Hewlett Packard

Delete any Printer related folders / files

Check / Remove - Printer Software – Lurking in the Device Manager

Control Panel > icon view > Device Manager

Expand category Printers

If any unwanted printer name or “Unknown Device” is listed,

Right-Click on the printer / device > Uninstall

Expand category Imaging Devices

If any unwanted printer name or “Unknown Device” is listed,

Right-Click on the printer / device > Uninstall

Check / Remove  - Printer Software – Lurking in the User Account

Clear HP / files in Temp folder

Windows key + X + R (Run command) > type %temp%

Delete the files in the Temp folder (Ignore files that cannot be removed)

Open File Explorer > Navigate to C:\Users\YourAccount\AppData\Local\HP

Remove / Delete any folder named for the printer you wish to remove

Manual Queue Reset

Optional – Add this procedure only if there are continuing issues…

Windows 10 / Windows 11

Windows Start > Search for “Services”

Optionally Right-Click and Pin to Start / Taskbar > Open Services App

Windows 10

Control Panel > icon view > Administrative Tools > Services

Next,

Scroll down, find, Right-Click, and Stop Print Spooler Service

Open File Explorer (formally Windows Explorer)

Navigate to the folder and Delete any files found in folder C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS

Start Print Spooler Service

End Check and Remove Section

After all checks are completed > Restart the computer and log in

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

Installation – Full Feature Software

Video Help

HP Envy 5055 | 5020 | 5030 printer : Download and install the full feature software

and / OR

HP Easy Start Printer Setup Software 

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.

• Not working?  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

Check:  After the printer software is uninstalled, check that the printer is not still lurking in Devices and Printers.  If found, Right-Click on the printer and "Remove"

• 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

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

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), more

Open

HP ENVY 5030 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"

[Mitch389]

Thank you so much for taking the time to assist me, it is greatly appreciated.

The laptop is brand new, I didn’t upgrade a win 10 laptop.

Strangely enough, my computer wanted to update today, which it did before I tackled my printer issue. I had already deleted HP Smart from my laptop over the weekend, so today I downloaded it & voilà, it recognised & paired with the printer. 
It’s been a complete faff but to anyone else struggling, I definitely recommend deleting HP Smart from your laptop & then reload. 
Fingers crossed 🤞🏻

[Dragon-Fur]

@Mitch389 

You are welcome.

Glad to hear that reloading HP Smart fixed the issue.

True - new computers always seem to need one to several rounds of Windows Updates to get caught-up.

When / if you wish to do so, install the full driver printer software.

Full Driver supports printing from other programs (for example Office software / Word).

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"