Deskjet F4500 computer cannot establish two way communication

[Sadnewbie]

I have an HP Deskjet F4580 all in one printer connected to my windows 10 computer via USB cable. I can print and scan. However the printing is showing some blank lines. The ink cartridges are new genuine HP. I wanted to clean and align them.

Open the printer properties and then Printing preferences-> Features ->Printer services -> Device services.

Clicked on the clean cartridges and got the message: .."computer is unable to establish two way communication with the device"

Clicked on align cartridges same response.

Tried by unplugging the printer from the computer and the power waited for a few minutes and re-plug for a hard restart to the printer but that did not work.

Uninstalled the printer and its drivers.

Reinstalled by downloading the driver from HP web site.

Restarted the computer and tried to get the printer to clean the cartridges no luck!

Is there a solution to this problem?

All suggestions will be appreciated.

Sadnewbie

[ShlomiL]

hi,

Try connecting the USB to another port and check, if the same persists try using another USB cable and check, make sure the cable is not longer than 1.8 meters long and directly connected to your PC, not through any USB hub or extension.

Shlomi

[Sadnewbie · Accepted solution]

ShlomiL,

I did try your suggestion. changed for a fresh USB cable and tried the other USB ports in the computer to no avail.

Kept on researching for an answer and someone suggested to use the HPPS.exe app.

That is the HP Print and Scan Doctor for Windows. 

I downloaded directly from HP web site and launched the app. This one identified my printers, chose the one that needed service and it proceeded to allow me to clean and align the cartridges.

As an aside, the tricolor one would not print although the app said the ink levels were OK. Took the cartridge out and sat it on a little water for a few minutes then cleaned it with a swab. Reinstalled it on the printer and voila! it printed well. The ink had dried on the cartridge.

Thanks for your suggestion.

Problem solved!

Sadnewbie