Default Paper Cannot be Changed From A4 to Letter

[TechNott]

New printer installed easily on a local, wired network.  However, when printing from within an application, such as Word, Excel, Firefox and Sage, on either of the two PC desktops on the network, the default printing shortcuts all use A4 paper.  I entered "Canada" as the country during initial setup of the printer so why it would choose A4 for Canada is a mystery.

So, I went to Devices and Printers, selected the printer, right-clicked and selected Printer Properties > Advanced > Printing Defaults..., and changed Paper Size to Letter for all of the standard shortcuts.  Ok'd out of it all.  When I attempt to print from within an application, A4 continues to show on all of the shortcuts.  This is true regardless of the PC I use.

There is a padlock on all of the installed shortcuts, so if I can't permanently change these, I want to delete them because they are useless clutter if I have to replace them with my own settings.

How do I make my paper selection permanent?

Edit 1: I don't even have to OK out of the entire Printer Properties dialog.  If I ok out of Printing Defaults... then go back in, the paper selection reverts to A4.

I'm using an administrator account.

[Dragon-Fur]

@TechNott

In general, it is not possible to remove standard (locked) shortcuts print or scan software -- many of us have added a bevy of Custom Shortcuts to the Printer Software, the HP Scan Extended program, and anything else that we use on a regular basis.  And, yes, the custom forms line up under the original "default" (Locked) forms.  Meh 

Example - Printer Software

Example - HP Scan Extended

Try / Consider

I don't know if it will make a fig's bit of difference; try setting the "Letter" paper setting in the Embedded Web Server (EWS):

Open your favorite browser > type / enter the Printer IP in the USB / address bar >

Settings > Preferences > Paper Settings

References:

Dragon Document - Help, suggestions, and examples:

Printing Preferences

and

Dragon Document - Help, suggestions, videos, and examples:

Scanning Program Options

Document Sections Include:

HP Scan Extended   – Standalone scan program:  Single, Multiple scans, Auto-Crop!

NAPS2  -- Not another PDF Scanner

Printer Software (Full Feature Software)

And others…

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[TechNott]

Many thanks.  Opened the web UI and confirmed that the existing setting is, correctly, Letter.  There's another setting that I don't understand: Override A4/Letter, currently set to Yes.  What does it do?

Edit 1: The HP Scan Extended, while it did install, does not detect the printer.  Am I doing something wrong?

[Dragon-Fur]

@TechNott

You are welcome.  

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@TechNott wrote:

Many thanks.  Opened the web UI and confirmed that the existing setting is, correctly, Letter.  There's another setting that I don't understand: Override A4/Letter, currently set to Yes.  What does it do?

Edit 1: The HP Scan Extended, while it did install, does not detect the printer.  Am I doing something wrong?

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Too bad the EWS setting suggestion did not help; it was a long shot at best.

Another try to sort the installation / setup:

Printer Website Support Driver Page:

HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 All-in-One Printer

Full feature Software:

Type: Driver-Product Installation Software

Version: 38.1

Operating systems: Windows 10 (64-bit)

Release date: Apr 1, 2016

File name: OJ8720_Full_WebPack_1881.exe  (157.2 MB)

Remove / Reinstall Full Feature Software

• Create a Restore Point >
• Download a fresh copy of the Full Feature Software >
• Uninstall the Full Feature Software from Programs and Features >
• Restart the computer and log in >
• Install the Full Feature Software >
• When the installation appears to be complete, Restart the computer and log in

Install the Firmware

HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 All-in-One Printer series Firmware Update

Firmware installations:  Please READ all information / instructions, then proceed!

My primitive Officejet printer lacks the Override feature -- at least I have not found it.

I have found numerous bits on the 'net that indicate "Yes to force to Letter paper" -- and just as many complaints, discussions, and questions concerning the feature.  ??

Side Bar:

Select Tray 1 as opposed to leaving Tray / Source to Automatic (wording varies)

HP Scan Extended is stand-alone (not dependent on the Full Feature Software).  The printer must be on the network and must be designated as the Default Printer.  It is strange the program cannot see the printer.

One caveat:  Place the document or image to scan on the glass or in the ADF > then initiate (start) the Scan Extended program.

Your new printer comes with Phone Support -- I think you might take advantage of that and contact HP. 

It may be a simple fix to change the Pre-set A4 within the printer somewhere -- I don't have this printer model available and I might well have missed something.

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Good Luck.

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