Unknown Printer Showed Up in List

[muchococoa]

I own and use HP3755Deskjet. Only printer I have ever owned. Recently noticed my printer name shows as HP3279BF on my laptop. What??!! That printer name now also shows up in the HPSmart app. (Not to complicate the issue, but the reason it concerned me is that I just enrolled in Instant Ink, and my account showed ink could not be shipped because of non-HP Instant ink cartridges installed in HP3279BF. What??!  I only buy HP and that is not my printer's name.)  I contacted HP support. First, they say, "do not worry; it is another name for your printer." So, I ask, "why and who changed the name?" No response. Next, HP support adds, "there is no such model number as HP3279BF."  Now I am worried. HP support then says, "you will see printers within your range."  I understand that, but why is it shown as a device to print from when I never added it? So, I did a test print selecting this ghost printer, and the page printed out of my HP3755. How is that possible?  Unless it is actually the same printer. The HP rep took control remotely and deleted the ghost printer. So, I no longer see it. My theory is that since my HP3755 is expired, HP found/installed a suitable driver when they did an update recently, which possibly changed the name. Any ideas??

[Dragon-Fur]

@muchococoa 

Welcome to the HP Community Forum.

Were it mine to do:

The odd name is the printer Host Name.

So...Host Name?

Software needs certain connections and the ability to communicate with itself and with the hardware. 

The printer software -- and other software on the computer -- creates what it needs to stay connected, to access devices and networks, to set up libraries and links to resources in the File System (in Windows).

Sometimes the results do not make clear sense to people using the printer or the computer.

Printer Host Name is one of these anomalies - it makes sense to the printer software and to Windows.

HP_Smart_W10_Printer_Settings_Information_3

HP Printer Home Page - References and Resources – Learn about your Printer  - Solve Problems

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When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

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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

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HP DeskJet 3755 All-in-One Printer 

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[muchococoa]

Thanks for your input. My concern now is that the HP agent DELETED that printer from my control panel. I hope the printer and software can still communicate. And why wasn't the agent savvy enough to explain this to me? 

[Dragon-Fur]

@muchococoa 

You are welcome.

If the printer supports a Fax component and a main printing device, there are sometimes two main print queues installed as part of the full driver printer software.

Printer Software - Queue Structure

Certain software installations methods and some troubleshooting tools might add or change the queue structure.

For example, the Print and Scan Doctor might add a scan queue when certain conditions are met as part of the Doctor's analysis of the setup it encounters.  Example, "Do Not Delete" Scan Queue.  In point of fact, even that queue can be deleted - the name of the queue is intended to prevent accidental removal in case the particular queue is useful in the particular environment where it is installed.

Typical Queues - Printers that include both print and scan functions and a built-in Fax machine component

Devices_and_Printers_List_4

Does it work?

If you are concerned about the absence of a queue that you might not have been using, or in fact, might have been causing issues or just confusion,

(then)

Try / Consider:

• Submit a general print job, something useful or at least simple to set up.
• Submit a simple scan from the printer glass using the printer software -- HP Scan

If the software is working, properly configured jobs will be sent to the printer for output of the contents to paper.

Different Support Methodology

Everyone approaches support from a unique perspective based on personal experience, the goal of the session, and the perceived needs of the customer.  That you wanted something other than what the agent thought to explain is simply not something I can answer. 

I tend to verbosity and a certain formal manner.  I am a teacher at heart, I think.  My answers generally reflect my willingness to teach and explain.

Other Experts (and agents) prefer brevity.  Why spend twenty words when ten will do?

There is a whole group of support people who lean towards a "folksy" approach full of home-grown wisdom.

There are the "professionals", too, who lean into a problem, find the solution, answer the question, and move on.

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If the printer works, the software works, and you can use the printer to submit your jobs, it is likely "all good".

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"