HP 4520 won't print or scan without using HP Print and Scan Doctor

[LuckyVoyager]

I recently bought a new computer with Windows 11 and have had a great deal of trouble printing and scanning with my HP Envy 4520 printer. Every time I boot up my computer, start a new session and request a print or scan, I receive an error message. When printing, the error message is "Error printing on HP Envy 4520. Printer is in an error state." I then have to use the HP Print and Scan Doctor to fix my printing function. After doing this, printing works fine for the rest of my session. When I start a new session, however, the same problem occurs.

Similarly, when I attempt to scan, I receive a message that the device cannot be found. I then have to use the HP Print and Scan Doctor to fix the scanning function. After doing this, scanning works fine for the rest of my session. When I start a new session, however, the same problem occurs.

I have followed several of the HP tutorials and have uninstalled and reinstalled the latest software at least ten times, but the same problem reoccurs: when I start up the computer for a new session, I can only print or scan if I run the troubleshooter first. Also, sometimes when I try to open the scanner function, I receive a "You have two or more of the same devices connected" message, when in fact, I only have one.

Can you please help me?

Thank you,

LuckyVoyager

[Jay_G24]

Hi @LuckyVoyager,

Welcome to the HP Support Community

I'd like to help!

I understand you are unable to print or scan without using print and scan doctor

Let's try and uninstall the printer software from the root level on your PC and install the full feature printer software.

First, unplug the USB cable from the printer if present.

• Go to Control panel – Programs and feature – Select all the HP printer entries and uninstall them.
  • Now go to Control panel – Devices and printer – Select all the printer entries and remove the device.
  • Restart your computer.
  • Click the bottom-left Start button on desktop, type device manager in the search box and tap Device Manager on the menu.
  • Once in device manager, click on the view tab in the top & choose “Show hidden devices”.
  • Then from the device manager list, check the entries under “Printer” – If there are any entries, please right click and choose “uninstall” – In the confirm device un-install pop-up, make sure you select the box which says “Delete the driver software for this device". 
  • Also, check the entries under "printer queue" and "imaging devices" and repeat the same exercise. Delete any printer entry or any entry which says “Unknown device”.
  • Once done, close device-manger. Then press the "windows key" + "r" to get the "Run" window open - Type "printui.exe /s" and press enter.
  • Under print server properties, go to drivers - remove any entry there as well.
  • Again, go running window, type – “c:/programdata” – Go to Hewlett Packard folder, remove any printer related folders & files.
  • Once done you can try cleaning out your temporary files and cached files. You can try using automated applications like some cleaner software's that you can download from the internet.
  • Now restart your computer again.
  • Open the Run window again, type “services.msc” and press ok to get services window.
  • Scroll down to “Remote Procedure Call (RPC)” – right-click and go to properties. Make sure the service is started and startup type is “Automatic”.
  • Now scroll up and go to “Function Discovery Provider Host” – right-click and select properties – Change the startup type to “manual” and start the service.
  • Repeat the same exercise on “Function Discovery Resource Publication” as well
  • Windows image acquisition stop and restart the service 

Install all the available Windows updates

If it is been a while since you updated your Windows, that is the main reason why Windows says your HP printer driver is unavailable. Here are the steps how to do a Windows Update to install all accessible operating system update.

If you are accessing Windows 10, then these steps are for you.

1. Hit the Start menu and write an update. After that, click on the “Check for updates” option.
2. Tap on the “Check for updates” option.
3. After clicking on that option, Windows will install the updates automatically.
4. When Windows completes all its updates, start your computer again and attempt to print a file to check if your printer works.

Reinstall the drivers from the Software and drivers page

If the error persists, Try installing the printer with windows built-in driver

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Yes" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping

[LuckyVoyager]

Thank you very much for your detailed response. Unfortunately, it may be some time before I can attempt the entire solution, but I will send a proper reply as soon as I have done so. Thanks again!

[Jay_G24]

sounds good.

Keep me posted!

[LuckyVoyager]

Hi Jay,

I have just returned from vacation and attempted your detailed fix. Unfortunately, while the print and scan functions both worked on the first try after the fix, neither worked after rebooting both the computer and the printer. It seems that both pieces of hardware have short-term memories, just like their owner!

I should mention that, when performing the printui.exe /s run command, I was unable to remove either of the two Microsoft Enhanced Point and Print Compatibility Drivers (x64 and x86), as error messages for both drivers said they couldn't be removed because they were in use.

When I attempted to print (after rebooting), I received the same error message as I originally reported. When I attempted to scan, I first received a message that the printer/scanner wasn't recognized. I fixed this by using the Print and Scan Doctor, which said that it fixed a Windows WIA Scan Error. When I re-started the computer again, however, the scan option was not available, and after using the Print and Scan Doctor again, this time I received a message that I had two HP Envy 4520 printers connected!

Perhaps it's also relevant for me to mention that I moved from Canada to Portugal and took my printer with me. When I bought new printer cartridges, they didn't work, so I had to contact HP, which had to perform some remote programming to make the European cartridges work in my Canadian printer. Could this be affecting my ability to print and scan with my new Windows 11 computer?

This is getting very frustrating, and I would greatly appreciate any further assistance you can offer. Thank you once again for the support you have provided.

Best wishes,

LuckyVoyager

[LuckyVoyager]

Hi Jay,

Do you have any more suggestions for me?

Thank you,

Lucky Voyager

[LuckyVoyager]

Does anyone else have any suggestions? If necessary, I will get rid of my current printer and buy a new one, but I have unopened packages of XL black and XL colour ink cartridges--which cost considerably more than my printer--so I would rather not do that until I have exhausted all possible options.

Thank you.

[Betty0610]

Does the Printer work with any other device?

[LuckyVoyager]

Thank you for your input, Betty.

I used the printer for a few years with my previous computer (using Windows 10) without any problem. I've only experienced problems with printing and scanning since I connected the printer to a new computer (using Windows 11).

Kind regards,

Greg

[Betty0610]

I would suggest you try the Windows built-in drivers. Follow the steps below:

•    Go to Control Panel - Devices and Printers - Click on "Add printer" and follow the on-screen instructions.

•    When the page prompts for the drivers, select "Windows update". The driver list will be updated.

•    Click HP, Hewlett Packard, or Hewlett-Packard in the Manufacturer pane, and then click the name of your printer in the Printers pane.

Refer to this document HP Printers - Installing and Using the Windows Built-in Print Driver for help.

Let me know if this helps.

If the information I've provided was helpful, give us some reinforcement by clicking the Accepted Solution and Kudos buttons, that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!

Thanks!

Have a great day!