Laptop wont set new printer as default

[specialk1]

Brand new HP8740 Printer working wirelessly with HP desk top PC, iPad, and Mobile phones but not our HP Laptop. (Desk top PC and Laptop working with Windows 10 64bit)

My HP Laptop lets me add the new printer, It shows in the control settings but the image is greyed out.

Right clicking to set the printer as the default won’t work and doesn’t show this as an option anyway.
I have powered down and back up the router and printer,  still won’t work.

I have removed and re-added the printer and the HP troubleshooter doesnt see a problem.

What am I missing here?

[Dragon-Fur]

@specialk1

Printer Homepage - Drivers, How-to, Troubleshooting, Product Information, and more:

HP OfficeJet Pro 8740 All-in-One Printer 

(Re)Install the Full Feature Software

Full Feature Software (printer program - current version at this writing):

OJ8740__Full_WebPack_1912.exe

(156.2 MB)

If you have not done so:

• If using a USB cable to connect the printer and computer, disconnect the cable

Recommended / Optional

• Create a Restore Point
• Reinstall / Update your PDF Reader (Adobe Reader DC / Foxit Reader)
• Windows 10? This works best when Updates are current - check if you are unsure
• Update your HP Drivers (or other vendor computer) - printer software likes updated Drivers
• Verify / Switch-on Network Discovery and Print Sharing

Next:

• Open Support Home > Navigate to your product Driver page
• If necessary, Change / Adjust Operating System settings
• Download and save a fresh copy of the Full Feature software
• Uninstall existing Printer Software by preferred method:
  1. Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features > Right-Click on program > Uninstall
  2. Settings > Apps > Apps and Features > Left-Click on Application > Select Uninstall
• Shut down the computer > wait a few seconds > Boot computer and log in
• Install Full Feature Software (find in your Downloads folder > Double-Click on the file)
• If using a USB cable, connect the cable only when instructed during the installation procedure
• When installation appears complete, Restart the computer

Registry Change

If removing / reinstalling the product Full Feature Software does not clear the issue, please see the following solution provided in the Microsoft forum:
Unable to setup Default Printer, error message: 0X00000709

Reminder

Never make changes to your Registry unless and until >

1. You fully understand - and accept - that changing the registry can create a situation in which your system may not respond as expected (or may not start Windows)
2. You create an Export of the entire Registry - save the file to a location convenient to you AND make a copy of the file to a location other than the C drive on your computer

Help:

How to Backup and Restore the Windows Registry

Click the Thumbs Up to say Thanks!

Click Post that answers your question "Accept as Solution" to help others find it.

[specialk1]

Hello Dragon-Fur

Thanks for the quick reply and in-depth suggestion to my problem. Please take a look at my lack of progress so far.

I am working with the Full Feature Software (printer program - current version at this writing):

OJ8740__Full_WebPack_1912.exe

• I am not USB connected, (wireless) and I have verified Network Discovery and Print Sharing.
• Downloaded and saved a fresh copy of the Full Feature software, uninstalled existing Printer Software.
• Shut down the computer, wait a few seconds, re-booted the computer and logged in.
• Re - Installed the Full Feature Software, and restarted the computer.
• Printer icon still greyed out and unable to set as default.

Using Scan Doctor > Search for products > Finding and Fixing Problems > Software not found > Installing Software > Prepare > Connect > New Device > Wireless > Network Check > IP address or Hostname > Unsuccessful Network Installation, the decice was unable to be installed over the network. A graphic shows Laptop > Router > X (red cross) > Printer.

I am at a loss now...

[specialk1]

I am going around in circles.

I have uninstalled and reinstall the HP8740 printer and software several times now.

During the installation, following the onscreen prompts, everything seems ok and the printer icon is showing but I cannot set as default.

When I run Scan Doctor trouble shooting it finds the printer, tells me its installed but says no software is uploaded.

Again, following the onscreen prompts, I follow the instructions but end up were I started.

This is so time consuming and should be easy to sort.

I am a failure.

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@specialk1

Printers, computers, and other similar devices all do exactly what they are told to do -- the problem is that we are not always sure who (or what) is doing the telling.

Examples include (and are not limited to):

• The printer is not stable on the network - several issues possible, from DHCP errors resulting from the printer grabbing a "used" address, to other oddities in the router setup
• The printer is not set properly in the registry (old entry did not clear)?
• The printer is too close / too far from the router (either extreme is not ideal)
• The router is not "liking" the new printer and (the router) needs its firmware updated
• The router is serving both 2.4GHz and 5GHz on the same SSID - not great; separate SSID assignments are best for dual band routers serving both bands.

By itself, it is perhaps not worth repeatedly removing and reinstalling the software.  There comes a point when you have to look at other possibilities.

You may have to dig at this issue a bit to find the underlying cause so you can apply the solution.

Registry Entry

The second part of the suggested solution indicates that the name of the printer might be wrong in the Registry and needs to be corrected.

What is the result of your check / correction for this entry?

              HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows

Example from my own setup

After the change is made, Restart the computer and log in.  

Check for any difference in "default device" setting.

Network Connection - Printer

The printer is perhaps not setting and / or maintaining a connection with the network.  Many printers provide the "blue light" wireless indicator - solid "on" blue light indicates the printer is connected to the network.  Blinking and Off indicate problems.

See the following to set the printer back to Factory Defaults and then reconnect the printer to your network:

HP OfficeJet Pro 8210, 8700 Printers - Cannot Connect Printer to Network During Setup

More on the subject of maintaining the network connection:

HP Printers - Printer Does Not Maintain Wireless Connection

Your new printer comes with Phone Support.

Contact HP and ask for help.

HP Contact Information – Sales, Technical Support, other Contacts 

For USA / Canada

1. Fill in form:  Explain the issue> provide computer / printer identification information > submit
2. Receive Case Number and Contact Information (after the completed form is submitted)

Contact HP – USA - Assistance

OR

HP Contact Information - Including UK

HP Tech support/ Customer Service – Some English-Speaking Countries

For “everywhere else”

HP World-Wide Support

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Help to find Product Number:

Identify my Notebook Model

Warranty Check

Warranty Check – Single or Multiple Devices

Scams and Unscrupulous Contacts

HP Fraud Alert: Protect Yourself from Scams, Report Suspicious Calls

HP Limited Warranty Statement (General Information)

HP Worldwide Limited Warranty and Technical Support

Optional Coverage Plans:

Enter your product number in the form to view various Warranty plans available for that system:

Care Pack Central

CarePack Definitions:

Care Pack Services Definitions

HP Consumer Services (Service Purchase Information)

1-866-724-8600

Click the Thumbs Up to say Thanks!

Click Post that answers your question "Accept as Solution" to help others find it.

[specialk1]

Hello Dragon-Fur

Thank you so much for your support and perseverance, I really didn’t want to start changing or modifying the registry, but also there came a point where I had to look at other possibilities.

The name in the registry was wrong and I have changed it.

Now the printer has a green tick and is set as the default printer.

Everything seems to be working ok and I can print from all devices.

I am not an expert but was able to follow your logical approach to find the fault even though it took a while.

My new HP8740 is only days old but I’m a wreck, thanks again for all your help.

[Dragon-Fur]

@specialk1

You are most welcome.

I am glad it is finally fixed.  

My apologies if my "words of caution" about the Registry made the change scary.  The Registry is one of those things most people treat with respect.  It is possible to forget that you can actually damage the FIle System by dancing through the registry wearing "combat boots".  Smiling.

The Officejet Pro 8740 is a nice printer -- have fun with it now that it is behaving itself.

Hint:

This printer series dumps the printed paper "face side down" in the output tray.  Nice feature intended for an office environment where documents are best protected from prying eyes.

Printing photos can be a challenge -- your best option might be to buy and use "Instant dry" paper for use in this printer.

HP Advanced Photo Paper

Know that while we certainly recommend that you use genuine HP products in your nice HP printer, you may be able to use other high-grade photo paper.  Do look for a product that provides the "quick dry" feature.

Happy Printing!

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

We are a community of HP enthusiasts dedicated to supporting HP devices and technology.

[specialk1]

Hi Dragon-Fur

Thanks again!

I’m not an expert on computers but do feel like a brain surgeon when messing about in the registry area.

What a great comment - Printing photos can be a challenge 

I have just added another post regarding this issue, we love the printer but hate wasting ink, glossy paper and the uncertainty of the print job, I’m sure it will get better.