HP Envy 5530 printing PDFs only?

[meme1]

I have a HP Envy 5530 printer which was working fine on my new laptop but suddenly I can only print PDFs. I can print ok on an older laptop I have, i.e  documents, spreadsheets, from the web etc. but not on the new one. I'm assuming there may have been some sort of update on the newer laptop which has affected printing? I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling but still the same.  When I try to print either nothing happens or I get the following: Could not start printer. Please check your printer configuration. Any advice would be appreciated but I'm not very technically minded, so as simply as possible would be great please :0)

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@meme1 

Welcome to the HP User Community.

Your description sounds like the main printer software is not working.

What?

There are two parts to this:

• HP Smart application - supports printing and scanning PDF and Photos / Images
• HP Full Feature Software / Full Driver printer software - supports printing and scanning from the web, from other programs (for example, Word), and access to the full range of Printing Preferences / Shortcuts

If you have not already done so, remove and then reinstall the full driver printer software.

Details / How-to / Examples

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Printer Software

• Uninstall the printer software from Programs and Features
• Restart the computer and log in
• Install a fresh copy of the Full Driver printer software

Details / How-to / Examples

===========================================================

>>> Check / Install the Full Feature Software / full driver printer software

The full driver provides the foundation on which other programs and printing software depend.

The driver includes HP Scan – HP Scan supports scanning / saving / printing your scan content.

Preparation - Install Full Driver Printer Software

If you have not done so,

In addition to the HP Smart application,

Install the Full Feature Software / full driver printer software for the printer.

HP Smart and other print software / applications benefit from having the full driver installed.

Make sure your VPN is switched Off when installing software.

Printer Software Check - Is the printer software installed?

Notes

When the full driver printer software is installed,

Find the printer software listed in Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features.

The installation of the full printer software adds two shortcut icons to the Desktop.

The Printer Assistant is named for the printer and provides access to Print , Scan , and Tools

HP Scan is named for itself and provides a direct call to the HP Scan software.

Programs_and_Features_Printer_Desktop_Icons_5

Printer software installed and  listed >> (If) Software is out of date or is not working

NOTE:  If the printer software shows installed but is not working as expected, remove and reload the software.

NOTE:  Windows 11

Windows Start > Search for Control Panel and open

Uninstall the printer software from Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features

Restart the computer and log in

What if?

If software will not uninstall, appears to be removed and is “still hanging around” after you uninstall / Restart...

Microsoft:  Fix problems that block programs from being installed or removed

OR

Revo Uninstaller (Free version)

then

Restart the computer and log in

Reminder:  If using USB, disconnect the USB printer cable between the printer and the computer before installing software.  (Re)Connect the USB cable when instructed to do so near the end of the installation procedure.

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Next,

Install a fresh copy of the Full Feature Software / Full Driver printer software

Restart the computer and log in

Video - Full Feature Software Installation - How-to

HP Envy 5055 | 5020 | 5030 printer : Download and install the full feature software

OR

Download and Save

HP ENVY 5530 e-All-in-One Printer series Full Feature Software and Drivers 

Basic Instructions - Install the Full Feature Software / Full Driver printer software

Preparation

• If using VPN, shut it off to install software.  NOTE >> If you don’t know what this is, you are not using a VPN – ignore this part.

• Not working?  If the printer software is still / already installed, Uninstall the printer software  from Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features > Restart the computer and log in – Reference Uninstall HP printer software and drivers

Check:  After the printer software is uninstalled, check that the printer is not still lurking in Devices and Printers.  If found, Right-Click on the printer and "Remove"

• Reminder:  If using USB cable between printer and computer, disconnect the cable before installing software.  Later... Connect the cable when instructed (near the end of the installation procedure).

Installation

• Download and Save the Full Feature Software installation package or the Easy Start Software
• Open File Explorer
• Navigate to the folder in which you saved the installation file  (likely Downloads)
• Right-Click on the installation package and “Run as Administrator”
• If using Easy Start > When asked, opt for "Full Driver" (exact wording might vary).
• If using Easy Start > Skip any extra software / offers you do not want (wording varies).
• After the software is installed, Restart the computer and log in

NOTES

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Preparation > Check / enable the printer as the “Default Printer”

Settings > Devices > Printers and scanners

UNCHECK (clear box) Let Windows manage my default printer

Select (Left-Click) your printer from the list of printers > Manage > Set as Default

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References / Resources

HP Smart for Windows

HP Smart is an application available in the Microsoft Store

OR

Open the Homepage / Support Website for your printer

Category Software and Drivers > Check/ Get the App

>>> Open and Read >>> HP printer setup (HP Smart app)

NOTES: 

• Disconnect from Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection before downloading.

• Turn on Wi-Fi on your computer or mobile device and connect to your network. If the computer is connected to the network with an Ethernet cable, temporarily disconnect the cable and use the Wi-Fi connection during the setup.

• HP Smart requires that you sign into the application using your HP Account credentials.

• When working through a browser to access HP Smart, be sure you have Cookies enabled.  If cookies are enabled and you are having trouble, clear Cache and Cookies.   And / Or … Try a different browser – assign that browser as the Default. (Note:  Chrome not working?  Use / Assign a different default browser.)

• Where possible, HP Smart benefits (likes) having the Full Feature Software / full driver printer software installed.  For example, full driver provides access to Shortcuts and Printing Preferences.

• Document includes the HP Smart application download links for Windows and Mobile devices, plus an FAQ section to assist with questions / issues.
  •  FAQ examples: 
    • What are the requirements to use the HP Smart app?
    • Which printers are compatible with the HP Smart app?
    • Why do I need to sign in or create an account to use the HP Smart app features?
    • Which languages does the HP Smart app support?
  • Older versions of the HP Smart app no longer support the required login feature.
  • Update the application to the latest version to access / use HP Smart

===================================================

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:  Alerts, Access to the Print and Scan Doctor (Windows), Warranty Check, HP Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, Lots of How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, Manuals > User Guides, Product Information (Specifications), more

Open

HP ENVY 5530 e-All-in-One Printer series 

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Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

Click Helpful = Yes to say Thank You

Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"

[meme1]

Thank you for your reply.

This did help as I have now managed to get it working. I had to uninstall and reinstall a few times and had some other issues but somehow have managed to get it sorted, just hope it lasts!

Thank you for your help, much appreciated!

[Dragon-Fur]

@meme1 

Excellent.

You are welcome.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

Click Helpful = Yes to say Thank You

Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"