Ever since I got this stupid thing, I’ve been fighting it to print

[Jbrenn1]

I got a smart tank 5100 printer and have had a hard time forcing it to print ever since. if I want something to print instantly get stressed knowing that I’m gonna spend the next 30 minute’s trying to force it to print. This thing is such a stressful hassle. I usually give up and I have to print at work later. Why doesn’t it work?

[Dragon-Fur]

@Jbrenn1 

Welcome to the HP English Community --

Product / Printer Model:  HP Smart Tank 5100 All-in-One Printer Series  

Operating System:  ?

Software / Application:  ?

Connection Type:  ?

Content / File Type:  ?

Job type:  ?

Specific issue:  ?  "Stupid"

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True - Compared to computers, tablets, phones and other smart devices, printers can seem "stupid".

Why?

Printers do not include a fully developed onboard Operating System to help them navigate the world outside of their hardware.

Not every printer is as smart as the next --

For example, Top-tier products (also the most expensive) tend to be smarter and always include more features and might include additional security, too.

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"Why doesn't it work?"

Common causes of difficulties include and are not limited to the following items.

• Unstable or incomplete connection to your network.

Because printers are not smart enough to do the work themselves, you must provide the means to connect the printer to the network and keep it there. 

Some networks are smarter than others.  Outdated, weak, poorly placed, incompletely configured routers and networks can cause all sorts of difficulty.  Mesh networks can present problems for printers trying to stay connected in a changing environment.

Changing from one network to another can present challenges - Windows, for example, can be told to stay away from selecting your default printer every time the network changes (from work to home, for example).

• Incomplete or corrupted printing applications or software installed on the device (computer, tablet, phone).

Printers are not generally aware of the world outside themselves.

Beyond their local environment (Firmware and Settings / Features included in the Embedded Web Server (EWS)), printers depend on applications and / or software programs to translate the content they receive into printer language.

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What else?

These are less common as long as you understand the printer, your network, and the printer's features and limitations.

• Incomplete or incorrect job settings

Printer needs to be aware of the Tray and Paper settings:

For a printer this type (no touchscreen printer control panel), these settings can be viewed and adjusted in the Embedded Web Server (EWS).

Next,

The job settings must be adjusted correctly and completely for the type of content to be scanned or printed.

Available apps and software (to create jobs) depends on the Operating System / version.  That just means that there are different apps for the computer and there are for a mobile device.

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References / Resources

HP Printer Home Page - References and Resources

Learn about your Printer - Solve Problems

“Things that are your printer”

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

NOTE: Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories: Warranty Check, Alerts, Troubleshooting, Ink & Paper, HP Software & Drivers / Firmware Updates, Setup & User Guides, Product Specifications, Account & Registration, Warranty & Repair

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HP Smart Tank 5100 All-in-One Printer Series  

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