Communication with printer

[David9993]

My PC has lost contact with the printer. When I send a document to print the "Unable to communicate with printer" message appears but then the printer completes to print as originally requested. However, when I try to scan from the computer the connection cannot be made at all. I have tried the usual turning off/on and checked that the drivers are up to date but the problem persists.

[Raj_05 · Accepted solution]

Hi @David9993,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

It sounds like there might be a communication issue between your PC and the HP Officejet 6500A Plus e-All-in-One Printer, especially with the scanning function. Here are a few troubleshooting steps to help resolve the issue.

Check Printer Connection:

• Ensure the printer is properly connected to your network if it’s a wireless model. For wired connections, make sure the USB cable is securely connected to both the printer and the computer.

Restart Devices:

• Power off both the printer and your PC. Wait for about 30 seconds, then turn them back on.

Update Printer Drivers:

• Even if you've checked for updates, it's worth revisiting. Go to the HP Support website and download the latest drivers specifically for your printer model and operating system.

Reinstall Printer Software:

• Uninstall the current printer software from your computer, restart your PC, and then reinstall the printer software. This can often resolve communication issues.

Check Printer Settings:

• On the printer’s control panel, navigate to the network settings and ensure that the printer is connected to the correct network. Also, make sure there are no error messages or alerts on the printer.

Use HP Print and Scan Doctor:

• Download and run the HP Print and Scan Doctor tool from the HP website. It’s a troubleshooting tool that can help diagnose and fix common printer issues.

Check Firewall and Antivirus Settings:

• Sometimes, firewall or antivirus settings can block communication between your PC and printer. Check your settings to ensure that they are not blocking the printer's connection.

Verify Scanner Settings:

• Open the scanner software on your PC and check if it recognizes the printer. You might need to reconfigure the scanner settings.

Reset Printer:

• Perform a factory reset on the printer if none of the above steps work. Refer to your printer’s manual for instructions on how to perform a reset

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4

HP Support