two computers can find printer nor fax

[RNoble]

Spent 2 hours with Microsoft tech and an additional hour with my in house tech and can't get two computers (windows 10) to see printer or fax.  Suggestion was made to contact HP

[Dragon-Fur]

@RNoble 

Welcome to the HP Community Forum.

Update - Add Datasheet and Specifications links in section References / Resources

The following might prove useful -- or it might be a repeat of what you have tried.

Much depends on how the printers are connected to your network.

For example, the printer supports

Ethernet

Wireless

Connecting via Ethernet turns off the Wireless.

Consider

Restart Everything, including the router that controls your network

Next,

Known solutions, presented in the order to be completed / considered

  HP printer is offline or not responding - Windows / Mac  

• Wi-Fi connection is lost after router or network settings change

HP printers - Wi-Fi connection is lost after router or network settings change 

• Restore Wi-Fi setup mode on your HP printer (Restore Wi-Fi setup mode on your HP printer See the one minute summary video to the top of the document.

Additional Bits

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Dual Band Network

If your router supports it,

Create a separate SSID named network for each frequency

Connect the printer to the frequency / band you want it to use.

In general,

• 2.4GHz is less fussy about obstacles and supports a longer distance between router and device (printer)
• 5GHz is faster

Even if the printer supports 5GHz, consider connecting it to the 2.4GHz network.

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User Guide

According to the User Guide

Chapter 8 - Network setup - Starting on Page 100

User manual likes the idea of disconnecting the Ethernet in favor of setting up the (initial) connection using Wireless.

I've not had occasion to have to do that -- but there it is. 

Like everything else, what you do depends on how well you know your network and what you are willing to do.

That said,

If you are having trouble connecting the printer to the network using Ethernet, try what is suggested in the User Guide

There are also instructions to check / print / look at the network configuration setup.

More...

User Guide

Chapter 10 Solve a problem - Page 142

If you get into real trouble and want to start over with the network setup, read section

To restore the printer to the original factory settings

Select to Restore the settings on the Network

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Printer - Embedded Web Server (EWS)

If the printer is at least on the network,

(You can) try using the Embedded Web Server (EWS) to check / adjust / mess-with the network connection.

Sure, you can get into the same trouble using EWS as typing on the printer control panel -- but at least you are not typing on a tiny printer control panel.

EWS > HP Document / How-to

Use the HP printer Embedded Web Server (EWS)

Open your favorite browser > type / enter Printer IP address into URL / Address bar

Tab Network > Wired (802.3) > IPv4 Configuration

Open your favorite browser > type / enter Printer IP address into URL / Address bar

Tab Network > Wireless (802.11) > IPv4 Configuration

And – Model Dependent

Tab Network > Wireless (802.11) > Advanced

In Advanced

Having named SSID / networks separately for each bandwidth at the router level,

Select and connect to the correct SSID / network name for the bandwidth you are using.

Not generally something that breaks,

Open your favorite browser > type / enter Printer IP address into URL / Address bar

Tab Network > Advanced Settings > SMB

Select both SMBv2 / SMBv3

Click Apply to save any changes

Example - EWS - Network - iPV4

EWS_9025_Network_IPv4_Configuration_2

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Printer - Full Feature Software - Install

If you have not done so, consider

• HP Full Feature Software / Full Driver printer software - supports printing and scanning from the web, printing in in other software and programs (for example, Word), and provides access to the full range of Printing Preferences / Shortcuts.  The full driver adds at least two shortcuts to the Desktop:  Printer Assistant and HP Scan.  If the printer model includes built-in Fax hardware, the software supports the setup and use of the Fax driver.  No Sign-in required.

If the full driver printer software is (already) installed but not working,

• Uninstall any printer software from Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features
• Restart the computer and sign in.

Next,

• Check (for the Printer) in Devices and Printers  > If found, Right-Click Printer and Remove -- If any changes are made, that is, you remove anything, Restart the computer and sign in.

Next,

• If using a printer USB cable between the printer and the computer, disconnect the cable before installing the printer software.

• Download and Save the Full Feature Software installation package or the Easy Start Software

Details Page - Driver - For your Printer

>>> Full Feature Software - Web Pack Installation Package - Information - Download  <<<

HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 All-in-One Print and Scan Driver and Accessories 

Installation

• 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 a printer USB cable between the printer and the computer, connect the cable when instructed (near the end of the installation).
• After the software is installed, Restart the computer and log in

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

The installation of the full driver adds at least two shortcuts to the Desktop:  

Printer Assistant 

HP Scan

Example - Windows - Full Feature Software - Installed

Programs_and_Features_Printer_Desktop_Icons_11

=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=

References / Resources

Datasheet - HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 All-in-One Printer 

 Printer Specifications for HP OfficeJet Pro 8700 Printers

HP Smart for Windows

HP Smart is an application available in the Microsoft Store

OR

Open the Homepage / Support Website for your printer

Category Software and Drivers > Check/ Get the App

>>> Open and Read >>> HP printer setup (HP Smart app)

NOTES: 

• Read FAQ -  including - What are the requirements to set up a printer using the HP Smart app?
• If using VPN >>Disconnect from Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection before downloading.
• Turn on Wi-Fi on your computer or mobile device and connect to your network. If the computer is connected to the network with an Ethernet cable, temporarily disconnect the cable and use the Wi-Fi connection during the setup.
• Enable Bluetooth for an HP Smart app setup: Enable Bluetooth on your computer or mobile device so that HP Smart can detect the printer during the setup.  Source: How to scan with an HP printer > FAQ > Why can't I connect my wireless printer or scan over the network?
• HP Smart requires that you sign into the application using your HP Account credentials.
• When working through a browser to access HP Smart, be sure you have Cookies enabled.  If cookies are enabled and you are having trouble, clear Cache and Cookies.   And / Or … Try a different browser – assign that browser as the Default. (Note:  Chrome not working?  Use / Assign a different default browser.)
• Where possible, HP Smart benefits (likes) having the Full Feature Software / full driver printer software installed.  For example, full driver provides access to Shortcuts and Printing Preferences.
• “Share” to email – Before using Share, add your sender email address to the Windows Mail application

• Document includes the HP Smart application download links for Windows and Mobile devices, plus an FAQ section to assist with questions / issues.
  •  FAQ examples: 
    • What are the requirements to use the HP Smart app?
    • Which printers are compatible with the HP Smart app?
    • Why do I need to sign in or create an account to use the HP Smart app features?
    • Which languages does the HP Smart app support?
  • Older versions of the HP Smart app no longer support the required login feature.
  • Update the application to the latest version to access / use HP Smart

Help Here:  Unable to download and install the HP Smart printer app

and

Check -- Every device (computers and mobile) where HP Smart is installed should be running the latest version of the HP Smart application available for that device type.

Example - HP Smart - Windows - Home / Main Menu

HP_Smart_Win_Main_Menu_3

=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=

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), Supplies, and more

Open

HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 All-in-One Printer series 

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