HP OfficeJet Pro 8028e refuses to print offline

[dukenukem3d]

Hello,

I have an OfficeJet Pro 8028e that I need to use on location without internet (using WiFi direct). Whenever I try to print anything (even test pages from the printer's own interface), the following error pops up: "Setup Incomplete. Finish printer setup to enable printing. This printer requires use of an HP account, enabled web services, and Internet connection for setup and use."

I do not have internet at the printer's location. Is there any way to bypass this error and force it to print, or is this printer now a paperweight?

[Raj_05]

Hi @dukenukem3d,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

It sounds like your HP OfficeJet Pro 8028e is requiring an internet connection to complete its setup or use certain features, even when using Wi-Fi Direct. Here are a few things you might try to bypass this error.

Initial Setup: Ensure the initial setup was completed with an internet connection. Sometimes, certain settings are required to be configured online.

HP Smart App: If you haven't already, try using the HP Smart app on a mobile device to see if it allows you to configure the printer and bypass the setup error while connected to Wi-Fi Direct.

Printer Settings:

• Go to the printer’s control panel or settings menu.
• Look for an option to disable web services or internet-dependent features.
• Check if you can change the mode to “Local” or “Offline” if such options exist.

Firmware Update: If possible, update the printer’s firmware when you have access to an internet connection. Sometimes, firmware updates address bugs or issues with offline functionality.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted 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!

Alden4

HP Support 

[dukenukem3d]

Hi Alden4, thank you for your response.

I tried all the steps you listed except using the HP app and nothing worked. I can't use the app because I don't have space on my phone, so I was using HP Easy Start Printer Setup on Windows 10 64-bit to try doing the initial setup. I downloaded the Setup program from this page: https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/hp-officejet-pro-8020e-all-in-one-printer-series/model/21001846...

Here are the steps I tried:

Firmware update. The printer downloaded and installed the update. No change.

Printer settings. I couldn't find anything in the settings besides setting updates to manual and turning off telemetry. No change.

Reset the printer (Settings > Printer maintenance > Restore > Cold reset), connect to it with WiFi direct on site, and run thru HP Easy Start Printer Setup. Printer was added on the PC, no errors were shown. No change - still can't print.

Reset the printer (Settings > Printer maintenance > Restore > Cold reset), connect to it WiFi hotspot with internet, and run thru HP Easy Start Printer Setup on a PC on the same WiFi. Printer was added on the PC, no errors were shown. No change - still can't print.

Printer settings using the HP software on PC. I also couldn't find anything there besides setting updates to manual and turning off telemetry.

In the end, I still get the exact same error message as in the OP and the printer cancels any print job I try to send it. Is there anything else I can try?

[Raj_05]

Hi @dukenukem3d,

Thank you for your response, 

I'm sending a private message to assist you with the next action.

Please check your Private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Community profile Next, to your profile Name, you should see a little blue envelope, please click on it or simply click on this link.

I hope this helps! Keep me posted.

Alden4

HP Support 

[dukenukem3d]

The only thing you told me in the PM, was to contact HP support over phone. I really don't have time to sit on hold on the phone waiting for support (I just tried calling and gave up after holding >15min). So unless someone can give me specific instructions or software name I can use to fix this problem, I'm afraid this printer is going in the trash. I already wasted much more time than I would have liked trying to fix this intentional software lockout which has no business being on a product I purchased...

[Nal_NR]

Hi @dukenukem3d,

Let's try these steps and see if they work. If not I am afraid, this printer may not print offline.

Check Printer Settings:

• Go to your computer's printer settings and ensure that the printer is set to "Offline."
• This should allow you to print locally without an active network connection.

Verify Cable Connection:

• If you're using a USB cable, ensure it's securely connected to both the printer and your computer.

Disable Network Connection:

• If your printer is connected via Wi-Fi or Ethernet, temporarily disable the network connection on your computer.

Try Printing:

• Attempt to print a test page or document.

NOTE: 

• Some printers might require specific drivers or settings for offline printing. Check your printer's user manual for more information.
• If you're still unable to print offline, contact HP Phone support for further assistance.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

[dukenukem3d]

Hi Elohi_NR,

Could you please tell me where in the menus to go to find this "Offline" setting? I looked through all the menus (including service menus (quad-press back arrow button)) and the only settings I can find have to do with turning on/off the Wifi and enabling/disabling telemetry. I already tried basically every combination of these settings.

There is some kind of software lockout happening, because, for example, even if I completely disconnect the printer from everything (turn off all radios, etc), and try to do something like perform head alignment from the printer's menus, as soon as it tries to print the head alignment page it will show the error message in the OP, and cancel head alignment. (This same thing happens for printing a test page from printer's menus, etc). In fact, after a cold reset (Settings > Printer maintenance > Restore > Cold reset), one of the OOBE procedures the printer walks thru is print head alignment, which fails as I wrote above.

TLDR There's some kind of intentional software lockout (which has to do with HP account?) active on the printer which is preventing even cold-reset OOBE from working properly. Any ideas how I can disable/bypass this?

[Nal_NR]

Hi @dukenukem3d ,

We apologize for the inconvenience, but it seems that the issue persists even after attempting the troubleshooting steps mentioned above.

This might require one-on-one interaction to fix the issue via remote assistance. 

I've sent you a private message with further instructions. In order to access your private messages, click the private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Support Community profile, next to your profile Name or simply click on this link.

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

[dukenukem3d]

Thank you for deleting my reply... You guys suck 😞

[dukenukem3d · Accepted solution]

Yet another HP paperweight with a deliberate software lockout that cannot be bypassed and will not print. Avoid HP printers like the plague!