HP Smart keeps asking me to finish printer setup

[CrazyCatLady1]

I have seen this asked many times on here over the last year and no real answer has been given other than "click 'finish setup' and it will no longer pop up" which is not true, otherwise people wouldn't keep asking.  The message has not gone away since May and occasionally, it will stop my printer from responding all together by declaring itself "offline" and in need of "updates".  If I go to the HP website for a driver download, it will let me know that I am currently up to date on all firmware and drivers.  But yet, it will still remain "offline" and not respond to anything other than copying pages from the flatbed until I uninstall it completely, leave it unplugged from any cords for a week and then reinstall it after a week.  I just unplugged this model, set it in my garage to recyle and purchased an Epson ET-5800.  While that Espon printer hooked up seamlessly, it did not ever allow my  HP LaserJet to print alongside it (and it's printing on "professional" wasn't even as good as my HP on "draft") so I sent it back and now am back to this HP 9020 which still claims it is "offline" even after having just been reinstalled on my computer after sitting in my garage for over a week.  This printer, while it does a great job of printing has so many faults and now, with everything in production halt due to covid, no new 2 paper tray inkjets can be located anywhere by HP for me to replace it with.  HP has got the best printers out there for printing but not for functionailty.  My printer repair guy said he works on more HP than any other brand. I asked if it was due to the fact that there were more HPs out there than any other brand or due to the fact that they break down more often.  He said "both-HPs are also made/sold much cheaper than any other printer so more offices/homes have them".  I have never had a printer by HP that would #1, remain connected from one minute to the next with no changes being made (as in, I am printing my daily run of docs and all of a sudden it stops printing and claims it is "offline" or that it "lost wifi connection" when it is hardwired to my router!!! or some other issue) , #2 not require constant uninstall/reinstalls, #3 have issues that the tech support actually knows how to repair and acts as though this were the first time they have heard of this issue OR that they actually even have a solution for a printer issue.  I find more help by Googling or trial and error than I do on this community board.   HP, since you are all working from home and not making printers and computers right now, please hire some techs to FIX your printer issues! 

[Kumar0307]

@CrazyCatLady1, Welcome to the HP Support Community! I’m here to help.

I understand the printer will not remain online and you are not able to print using the HP Smart app. Apologies for the inconvenience caused. 

Run HP Print and Scan Doctor to diagnose and fix any driver issue

Click here to download the file. Once downloaded, make sure to run the file to start the installation and click on 'Fix printing'.

If the issue persists, proceed to the next step.

Reinstall the HP Smart app from the Microsoft Store and check if that helps(Skip if tried already)

Install the printer using the TCP/IP port:

Check for any pending Windows updates first.

1. On the PC, go to Control panel > Devices and printers > Remove the existing printer entry > click on Add a printer(at the top) 
2. Under 'Choose a device or printer', click on 'The printer I want isn't listed'.
3. Select 'Add a printer using a TCP/IP address'
4. Find the IP address of the printer by tapping on the wireless/ethernet icon on the printer screen
5. Type in the 'IP address in Hostname or IP address' box, click next
6. Proceed to the next steps by following the on-screen instructions.

Try printing. Do not use the HP Smart app. Open the File > Print

Hope this helps! Let me know how it goes. 

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

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Have a great day!