HP Envy 4500 all in one not printing - in a constant error state

[JustanotherJDL]

Hello everyone,

I've had a bit of bother trying to print from my laptop today. I used a HP Envy 4500, I've had it for a while but there's never really been an issue with it before. I've just wanted to print off a PDF file and the message I got was "error", on the printers & scanners section the printer itself says, "default, error". Now for the past 2 hours I've uninstalled drivers, reinstalled drivers, used the HP doctor program - troubleshooting only saw that there was an issue but couldn't resolve it - but nothing has changed. The error message still comes up. What is more interesting is that, for some reason, the printer can print test pages/alignment pages but nothing from a document on the laptop (even though I did the test pages from the HP app. Does anyone have any more ideas on what can be done?

[asmita6658]

Hi @JustanotherJDL

Welcome to the HP Support Community. I'd be happy to assist you with the printing issue. 

Download and install HP Print and Scan Doctor, it is a Windows tool to fix printer issues. 

If the issue still persists, try re-installing the printer driver -

1. In the search box, type and open "Uninstall a Program".

2. Look for HP Printer software.

3. Right-click to uninstall.

4. In the search box, type and open “Devices and printers”.

5. In the Devices and Printers, look for your HP printer. If you see it listed right-click on it and choose “Delete” or “Remove Device”.

6. Open the run command with the "Windows key + R" key combo. 

7. Type printui.exe /s and click Ok. (Note: there is a space in between “printui.exe” and “/s”).

8. Click on the "Drivers" tab.

9. Look for HP Printer driver. If you see it Click on it and click “Remove” at the bottom.

10. Select Ok.

11. Select Apply and Ok on the Print Server Properties windows.

12. Close Devices and Printers Once the software and drivers are removed.

13. Restart the computer.

Try adding the printer using TCP/ IP port - 

1.) Select “Start” and type “printers” in the search box.

2.) Choose “Printers & scanners“.

3.) Select “Add a printer or scanner“.

4.) Wait for the “The printer that I want isn’t listed” option to appear, then select it.

5.) Select “Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname” , then select “Next“.

6.) Select “TCP/IP Device” in the “Device type” list.

7.) Type the hostname or the IP address of the printer. Select “Next“. To find the IP address of the printer, touch the Wi-Fi icon on the printer's control panel. 

8.) Windows should find the printer if the printer is on and configured correctly. You may have to specify more information. If prompted, Select the type of network adapter installed in the printer in the “Device Type” drop-down list. You can also click “Custom” to specify custom settings for the network printer. Select “Next“. 

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 “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Have a great day! 

[JustanotherJDL]

Hi there, thank you for your solution!

It did work, for a few weeks. Now the problem has come back, and I can't actually uninstall the driver...

"7. Type printui.exe /s and click Ok. (Note: there is a space in between “printui.exe” and “/s”).

8. Click on the "Drivers" tab.

9. Look for HP Printer driver. If you see it Click on it and click “Remove” at the bottom."

It states, "this driver is currently in use"

Basically, I've done everything you said for me to do again and again but it just stops me at the driver part. The driver, interestingly enough, comes up as "HP 4500 Envy Class Driver" and has worked under this name. Now, when I try to uninstall and reinstall (given that I cannot delete the driver, even though, up to deleting the driver, everything is uninstalled) it is renamed "dhcppc5 (HP Envy 4500 series" and doesn't work.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Best

Justin

[asmita6658]

@JustanotherJDL

Please try restarting the print spooler - 

1. Turn off the printer using the power button.
2. Search Windows for run, and click the Run Windows application in the list of results.
3. Type services.msc in the Run window, and then press Enter on the keyboard.
The Services menu opens.
4. Right-click Print Spooler and select Stop.
5. After the service has been stopped, close the service window and use Windows Explorer to browse to C:\Windows\System32\Spool\PRINTERS.
6. Delete all files inside the PRINTERS folder.
7. Restart your computer.
8. Turn on your printer and try removing the driver.