HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 will only do internal test print

[MatAus24]

Hello,

Yesterday I was printing several things, but my HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 stopped printing all of a sudden. I have a USB connection and I did things such as use only HP cartridges, unplugging/replugging in the printer, uninstalling/reinstalling HP Smart, and cleaning the printhead. I used HP Scan and Print Doctor. It won't print the normal Test page, but for some reason it will print the internal test print page. So it seems like it can still print, but the normal print doesn't work for whatever reason. Does anyone know anything else I can try?

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @MatAus24 ,

Welcome to The HP Support Community.  

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

I understand you are facing an issue with your HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 is able to print internally but is having trouble with external print commands. Since you have already tried many common troubleshooting steps, 

here are a few more things you can check and try:

1. Check Printer Queue & Restart Print Spooler

• Clear print queue: Sometimes a print job gets stuck and blocks other print jobs. Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers, right-click your printer, and choose See what’s printing. Cancel all print jobs.
• Restart print spooler:
  1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
  2. Scroll down to find Print Spooler, right-click it, and select Restart.

2. Driver Conflict or Update

• Reinstall the printer drivers: Uninstall your printer from Device Manager (right-click the printer under Printers and uninstall), then go to the HP website and download the latest drivers for the HP OfficeJet Pro 7740.
• Alternatively, you can try a basic driver instead of the full software suite, which sometimes resolves compatibility issues.

3. USB Port or Cable Issue

• Since you’re using a USB connection, make sure that the cable is properly connected and undamaged. Try using a different USB cable or port to rule out any connection issues.

4. Set Default Printer

• Ensure that the OfficeJet Pro 7740 is set as your default printer. Sometimes the print command may get directed to the wrong printer.
  • Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers, right-click your printer, and choose Set as Default Printer.

5. Run Print Troubleshooter

• Use the built-in Windows Troubleshooter by navigating to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Printer and follow the on-screen instructions.

6. Test Printing from Different Apps

• Try printing from multiple apps like Notepad, Word, or your browser to ensure it’s not an application-specific issue.

7. Check Firewall/Antivirus Settings

• Sometimes, a firewall or antivirus software can block print commands. Temporarily disable these programs and try printing again.

8. Firmware Update Update the firmware on an HP printer

• Check for any firmware updates for the printer through HP Smart or HP’s website. An outdated firmware could be causing communication issues.

Refer to this document:  HP OfficeJet Pro 7740 Wide Format All-in-One Printer series User manual

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day.

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