how do i stop my printer from printing status reports?

[A4MikeV]

My HP Officejet pro 6978 prints 6-8 copies of the printer status report just about on a daily basis.  I've tried most if not all of the recommended fixes on the web with no luck.  It's about to go in the dumpster if I don't get it fixed and try another company.  Help!

[Dragon-Fur]

@A4MikeV 

Welcome to the HP Community --

If the status report is an alignment page setup, it will print and print and print until you take that printed sheet, place it on the flatbed and scan it in so the printer can align.  From what I've read, the instructions are on the printed sheet.

If the printer is just tangled, a soft Reset might fix it.

Yes, I realize you perhaps did this as part of the Most, if not all fixes

What?

I never argue with anyone who says they have done everything.

Too much typing to cover everything again.

Reset...

While the printer is On

• Unplug for a minute or so -- make that three minutes if you can stand it
  
• Plug into a standard wall outlet (not a surge protector, at least this time)
• If the printer does not start on its own after several seconds,
• Press the start button on the top
• Wait for the printer to completely reboot / start (it takes a few minutes)

Might work.

What else?

Printer might be upset about the network -

Restart everything, including the router that controls your network.

The list goes on, but you are right - there is a limit to what is reasonable to repeat and what is on the list of "everything".

What if?

No Joy - Miserable

Most, if not all fixes...

If the printer is broken, perhaps nothing you do will fix it.

Printer is perhaps near or at five years.

Sure - replace it.

HP makes great printers -- Personally, I recommend that you spend the money to get a decent OfficeJet Pro.

Be careful - at this writing, in the OfficeJet Pro family -- as far as I'm aware -- only the top-tier OfficeJet Pro 91xx offer automatic 2-sided scan.  Not cheap.

If you want, change to another brand.

We won't help you do that, but we might miss you when you are gone.

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[A4MikeV]

I want to thank you for the quickest,  best info yet and most of all your honesty. We'll see if it works!   My printer is 5+ years old also.  It also prints network configuration pages occasionally along with the printer status report.  No alignment page setup issues.  I just reset to factory and network defaults and reconnected to my router.  I'm plugged directly into a wall socket.  I'll keep you updated...

[A4MikeV]

  Okay, two days later and my printer has not had any uncommanded printing of printer status or network configuration pages.  I forgot to mention that I disabled the HP ePrint the other day too.  Hope this helps anyone else dealing with the same issue and avoid taking a sledge hammer to their printer!!

[A4MikeV]

Okay, 10 days after I initially reported a fix and the printer is still acting normally with no un-commanded printing!

[Dragon-Fur]

@A4MikeV 

Excellent - thanks fort the update.

When all else fails, "Clean House" - and start fresh.

All good, then.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community --

People who own, use, and support HP devices.

Click Yes to say Thank You

Question / Concern Answered, Click my Post "Accept as Solution"