Deskjet cover won't shut, won't print test

[Firemouse]

Haven't used my Deskjet 5550 in a couple of years. It printed some streaky test pictures without hesitation last week when I started it again, so I downloaded diagnostic software to see where the problem might be. Now power light is on, print cartridge  light flashing, but I can't diagnose if the ink is too low because the cover won't shut. When I held the cover down a test image wouldn't print.  None of HP's online pages are any help, and it won't give me a phone number to ask a human. Should I just take it to the electronics recycling bin instead of making myself crazy? And buy a new printer from a company with better support for older models?

[Riddle_Decipher]

@Firemouse

Welcome to our humble abode, the family and tech-friendly house of HP Forums!

I'll be your host for the day, they call me the Riddle_Decipher.

Follow these solutions in the order presented to resolve the issue.

Solution one: Close the top cover on the printer

1. If the cover on the product is open, close it.

2. Press the Resume button () to continue printing.

Solution two: Determine the cartridge issue

When there is an issue with a cartridge, a yellow arrow on top of the carriage (inside the product) points to a drawing of a cartridge that indicates what the issue is. Follow these steps to determine the cartridge issue, and then continue to the next section for solutions to resolve the issue.

1. Open the top cover on the product. Wait for the carriage to move. The yellow arrow on top of the carriage (inside the product) points to a drawing of a cartridge that indicates what the issue is.

2. Look at the drawing and then find the icon in the following figure that matches the drawing. Each of these icons represents a different cartridge issue. Use the icons to determine the cartridge issue.

   1. Tri-color Cartridge Problem icon

   2. Black Cartridge Problem icon

   3. Tri-color Cartridge Low-ink icon

   4. Black Cartridge Low-ink icon

   5. Cartridges OK icon
       

3. After you determine the cartridge issue, find the section (from the following choices) that pertains to the issue, and then expand that section for solutions.

FOR DETAILS & FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS, USE THIS LINK: CLICK HERE (Select: Issue: The Power light is on and the Print Cartridge light blinks & scroll down under step 3)

(By the end of this article all the issues should be resolved)

Let me know how that pans out,

If you feel I was helpful, simply click on Accept as Solution to help the community grow,

That said, I will have someone follow-up on this to ensure you've been helped,

Just in case you don't get back to us within 24 - 48hrs, and have a good day, ahead.

[Firemouse]

After trying to close it dozens of times, I finally got the cover to stay shut, by pushing harder on the lower left corner.  The streaky lines spontaneously went away when I started a test print, and aligning and calibration seemed to show it was okay for those.

But I'm trying to find out how  my ink levels are,  I downloaded both HP Smart and HP Print and Scan Doctor 5.1, as I don't seem to have any control panel that would show that.

With HP Smart, I start the set up with it already successfully connected to and printing from my Windows 10 Dell laptop runninng Chrome. It gets to Printer Set-up, and then just gets hopelessly stuck cycling at the Connecting to the Printer screen.

With the Doctor,  I get to "Printer selected HP deskjet 5550 series (HPA) : "The device connection may be lost or the device may not be installed."

So despite it being connected to the laptop and successfully printing an online photo, neither of these diagnostic software programs are recognizing the printer and completing the set-up. And yes, I did try un-plugging the electric and laptop coonnections, didn't make a difference (though I guess I'll try again).

What's my next step?

[Riddle_Decipher]

@Firemouse I'm glad you've got the cover shut, and about getting the printer installed, here's what the next steps are:

Step 1: Run the HP Print and Scan Doctor as it should automatically diagnose and resolve printer hardware and connection issues.

If your printer is not found on the Choose Your Product step, click My product is not listed for steps to connect the printer.

Try to print. If the issue is not resolved, continue to the next step.
 

Step 2: Uninstall and reinstall the HP driver and software

Some HP software components might have installed incorrectly, even if the printer setup failed. Remove and reinstall the software to clear any possible issues.

1. Disconnect the USB cable from the printer, if necessary.

2. In Windows, search for and open Control Panel.

3. Under Programs or Programs and Features, click Uninstall a program to open the list of installed programs.

4. Click the HP printer name to open the uninstall confirmation window, and then click Yes to complete the software removal.

5. Make sure the printer is turned on, cartridges are installed, and plain paper is loaded in the main tray.

6. Go to 123.hp.com. This guided service automatically locates the correct print driver or app for your computer operating system version.

7. Follow the instructions to download and install the driver or app. During the installation, select HP Smart or the full software option to get the most out of your HP printer, and then follow the steps to set up the printer connection.

Try to print. If the issue is not resolved, continue to the next step.
 

Step 3: Troubleshoot the printer connection

Troubleshoot connection issues with the network or USB-connected printers.

• Troubleshoot a Wi-Fi Printer Connection

• Troubleshoot a USB Printer Connection

• Troubleshoot a Wired Network Printer Connection

Keep us posted, 

(We shall troubleshoot as a team, fight till the end and emerge - "victorious")

If you would like to thank us for our efforts to help you, 

 Feel free to give us a virtual high-five by clicking the 'Thumbs Up' icon below, 

Followed by clicking on the "Accept as solution" button.

Have a great day!