How do I unlock the set preferences?

[LeslieSS]

In the name of everything holy!!! My Printer is an HP DeskJet 2132. I have had it less than a year. I used to be able to print just fine, then all of a sudden - poof! - no more. I tried uninstalling the software and then downloading and reinstalling it, per the advice of this forum. Still nothing.

It will print pictures and I can scan and print. But it will not print from Word, Excel, or any emails or any other text. My set preferences are also locked and I have no idea how to unlock them.

[Sunshyn2005]

Hey @LeslieSS, 

I'd be happy to help you with your Deskjet 2132. I understand you have uninstalled and reinstalled your printer in effort to resolve your printing issue. 

I suggest using the following steps to delete the printer from device and printers, and the driver from the server properties.

1. In the ‘Devices and Printers’ folder

2. Choose ‘Print server properties’.

• Win XP – With no printer selected, click ‘File’ then ‘Server Properties’.
• Windows Vista – With no printer selected, press ‘Alt’ then click ‘File’ then ‘Server Properties’.
• Windows 7/8, 8.1, and 10 – Select any printer in the ‘Devices and Printers’ folder and click ‘Print Server properties’ above.

3. Click on the ‘Drivers’ tab at the top of ‘Print server properties’ window

4. Choose the printer you want to uninstall and click ‘Remove’

5. Choose 'Remove driver only'

6. The next screen will give a warning, letting you know that deleting the driver package will remove it from the system. Click ‘Yes’ to say that you are sure you want to do this.

If documents are stuck in the print spooler, you may see an error, cancel any documents pending in the print queue, or try restarting the print spooler, then try to remove the driver from ‘Print server properties’ again. If it still won’t remove the package, restarting the computer and the printer should resolve this ‘in use’ error and allow the driver to be removed.

• If the you continue to get an 'in use' message follow the steps in the document here; The Specified Printer Driver is Currently in Use

After the driver is removed, open Start > All Programs > HP folder > Printer folder > HP Setup and Software (or the printer icon).  The Setup and software screen will open and you can click on Connect a new printer.

Please let me know if this resolves the issue or not, and I will get back to you if you require further assistance. 

[LeslieSS]

Hi Sunshyn2005,

Thank you for all of your assistance. I followed all of the step you suggested, and it is still not printing. Ugh! (Question, when removing the driver, should the printer be off, unplughed, or doesn't it matter? I tried both ways.)

Under 'set preferences', it is still showing a padlock next to each of my setting: Everyday Printing, Photo Printing, etc.

Please let me know if you think, as I do, that it is the computer. I am hesitant to get a new printer if it is a simple matter of fixing some settings. Plus, would a new printer have the same issues if the set preferences issue isn't resolved?

Thanks...bear with me. I am not great with computers. Ha! 

Again, appreciate any and all help!

[Sunshyn2005]

Hey, it wouldn't matter if your printer was unplugged or still connected when performing the suggested steps. I don't think the issue is the computer at this point, instead I feel it has so do with the print settings. There must be something selected that is causing the other settings to be locked. Can you post a screenshot of your print settings for me to review?

How to take and post a screenshot on HP Support Forum.

[LeslieSS]

I totally agree that it has something to do with the settings. I have tried changing one setting, trying to print. No luck. Go back and change that setting back. Then, changing another setting and then trying to print again. Still not luck. It's driving me insane! 

I don't know how to post a screen shot, so I took a picture and posted it below. Thanks again for all of your help! I really appreciate it. 

I 

[Sunshyn2005]

I found something somebody(@jabzi) posted that indicates that the preferences are locked by default and that you can modify them still. 

The preset options are by default locked.
If you want to change them, then select one of them in right side and modify the values on right side.

For example, select Every day printing and on right side change the paper type & size, a custom option will be created.

Source

@Gemini02 posted an explanation and solution as well: 

You can't change the paper type solely from the computer.  To understand, put regular paper in the printer and look at the selections.  Then change paper and look again. 

I believe there will always be padlocks on the Printing Preferences on the Envy 7640.  The reason is that it requires that you manually change one setting before the other settings are then available to change.

Here is a document for changing the settings in the print driver.

HP Deskjet, Officejet, and Photosmart Printers and All-in-Ones - Changing Print Settings in Windows ...

Source

To summarize, the padlocks are expected to be there. Let's peddle back and look at the original issue. You can print photos but you can not print from Word, Excel or email right?! Let's install an alternate driver and test printing again: How to Assign Alternate Print Drivers in Different Versions of Windows. @Shane_R put these instructions together a few years ago so you'll notice there are no instructions for Windows 10. If you have Windows 10, use the instructions for Windows 8. 

Let me know how it goes. 

Thanks. 

[LeslieSS]

Hello Sunshyn,

First of all, let me say thanks once again for all of your assistance. I am so grateful...I am obviously not good with this kind of stuff, so I appreciate all of your suggestions. 

I tried doing what you suggested and installed an alternate driver (HP 450) and I tried printing some test pages. So, it will print emails and it will print an open internet page. Still will not print from Word or Excel. When I printed those two pages from my email and from the internet, it came up differently, with the printing settings along the left side of my computer. As opposed to when I try to print in Microsoft Office, where the gray box appears in the middle.

I still have not discovered how to unlock the set preferences. I understand about changing the paper type, etc. and have attempted to change those settings over and over again, to no avail. 

I'm making some progress, so I'm going to continue to mess around with it. Thanks again so much for your help!

[Sunshyn2005]

It's my pleasure! Thanks to you as well; I appreciate your patience and perseverance while we work towards a solution!

While you continue to tinker with the settings, here's something else that might help. I found 2 articles the could assist you with troubleshooting 'printing problems in Word':

How to troubleshoot printing problems in Word

How to troubleshoot print failures in Word

I will check in tomorrow to see if you're responded back again. 

[LeslieSS]

Those might be helpful! I will check them out today after I get home from work. If I find a solution, I will definitely let you know. Again, thanks for all of your help...I really appreciate it. Have a great day Sunshyn!