Unwanted HP Envy 4520 WiFi Printer

[EFLYNN]

Hello There

I have the HP Envy Photo 6230 WiFi printer installed on my computer and prints properly.

However prints sent to HP Envy Photo 4520 WiFi printer often are printed on my printer.

This printer is not installed on my computer (missing from Programs and Features ) and belongs to my neighbour.

How is this possible -can you explain.

Ignore all previous posts on this subjec

Regards


Flynne

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @EFLYNN ,

Welcome to The HP Support Community.  

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

I understand the issue arises due to a combination of WiFi printer behavior and network settings. Here’s an explanation and possible reasons why this is happening:

Why This Happens:

WiFi Printers in Public/Shared Networks:

• Many WiFi printers broadcast their presence on local networks. If your neighbor’s HP Envy Photo 4520 printer is on the same WiFi network as your devices, it might appear as an available printer on your system, even if you haven't explicitly installed it.

Automatic Printer Discovery:

• Windows has a feature that automatically discovers and installs printers that are broadcasting on the same network. This can cause your neighbor’s printer to show up in your list of available printers.

Default Printer Configuration:

• If your computer detects multiple printers and automatically sets one as the default printer, it might accidentally select your neighbor's printer. This could lead to print jobs being sent there, especially if you don’t manually choose your HP Envy Photo 6230.

Neighbor's Printer Name/Settings:

• If their printer has a generic or default name that matches part of your HP Envy Photo 6230’s name, confusion can occur in the print queue.

Cross-Network Printing:

• If your neighbor’s WiFi network overlaps with yours or they have allowed guest access to their printer, your device may mistakenly connect to it.

How to Fix It:

1. Disable Automatic Printer Discovery

• Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners.
• Uncheck the option for Let Windows manage my default printer.

2. Remove the Neighbor’s Printer (If Installed Automatically)

• In the Printers & Scanners settings, check if the HP Envy Photo 4520 is listed. If so:
  1. Select it and click Remove device.
  2. Restart your computer.

3. Restrict Your Printer to Your Network

• Access your HP Envy Photo 6230 printer settings:
  • Open the printer’s Embedded Web Server (EWS). To do this:
    • Find the printer's IP address on the control panel or by printing a network configuration report.
    • Enter the IP address in a browser.
  • In the EWS, restrict access to devices connected only to your WiFi network.

4. Configure Your Printer as Default

• In Printers & Scanners, set your HP Envy Photo 6230 as the default printer:
  • Select the printer and click Set as default.

5. Ask Your Neighbor to Secure Their Printer

• Suggest that they:
  • Change their WiFi password.
  • Disable printer sharing or broadcasting.

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day.

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[EFLYNN]

Hello

Sorry for the delayed reply.

1. Disable Automatic printer Discivery.

Unfortunately "Let windows manage my default printer" is already unchecked.

3. Restrict your printer to your network.

Easy to get into EWS. but I don't know how to restrict access to devices connected only to my WIFI network.

Regards

Flynne