My Envy 5030 only prints gibberish

[MisterMints]

I have a major issue with my Envy 5030 printer - it will ONLY print gibberish.

What come out on the page looks nothing like what was on the screen. It comes out as a couple of lines of what looks like code and random characters at the top of the page, then leaves the rest of the page blank.

I've run the diagnosis tool and when it prints a test page that comes out like this too.

I've rebooted both the printer and my PC, and uninstalled and reinstalled the printer and the drivers and no difference.

Any idea what is going on, and what else I can try to fix this?

Thanks

[TEJ1602]

@MisterMints, Welcome to HP Support Community!

Follow the steps below to resolve the issue-

Reset the printer

Resetting the printer can often resolve printing issues.

1. With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the printer.

2. Unplug the power cord from the power source.

3. Wait 60 seconds.

4. Reconnect the power cord to a wall outlet and to the printer.

   NOTE: 

   HP recommends plugging the printer directly into a wall outlet.

Try to print. If the issue persists, continue to the next step.

Download and run HP Print and Scan Doctor

Download and run HP Print and Scan Doctor to automatically identify and resolve the issue.

Try to print. If the issue persists, continue to the next step.

Print from another program

Print from a software application other than the one where the issue occurs to make sure the issue is not related to specific software.

1. Open any software application other than the software where the issue occurs. For example, if you used image viewing software when the issue occurred, try opening a word processing software application such as Microsoft Word.

2. Open a file in the new software, or create a new file for this step.

3. Print the file.

   • If the document in the alternate software prints successfully, do not continue troubleshooting. The software where the issue occurs might be the cause. Continue to print from different software, or contact the software manufacturer for help.

   • If the document in the alternate software also exhibits the garbled text issue, continue to the next step.

Connect the printer directly to the computer

If your printer is connected to your computer over a network or through a USB hub, connect the printer directly to the computer with a USB cable.

1. If your printer is connected to a wireless network, turn off the wireless signal.

2. Disconnect any USB or Ethernet cables from the printer.

3. Restart the printer by turning the power off, and then back on.

4. Connect the USB cable directly from the printer to the computer.

Try to print.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

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!

[MisterMints]

I have now partially got the problem sorted and can print documents.

However, after uninstalling and reinstalling the printer I have a different issue. The only printer visible in the Windows device manager/control panel is the one called "Scan only - do not delete" and while some applications can see my actual 5030 printer, it is hit and miss as to whether they will actually print to them.

HP Smart says my printer is installed and can tell me how much ink is there, yet when I try to use that to print documents it can only see the Scan Only option.

Chrome can only see Scan Only too, but Acrobat Reader can see the printer, it just is unable to send any documents to it to be printed.

[TEJ1602]

@MisterMints

Thanks for replying!

Have you tried adding the printer using Windows Built-in drivers?

If no, try the steps below-

First, uninstall the printer drivers completely.

I would suggest you try the Windows built-in drivers. Follow the steps below:

•    Go to Control Panel - Devices and printers - Click on "Add printer" and follow the on-screen instructions.

•    When the page prompts for the drivers, select "Windows update". The driver list will be updated.

•    Click HP, Hewlett Packard, or Hewlett-Packard in the Manufacturer pane, and then click the name of your printer in the Printers pane.

Refer to this document HP Printers - Installing and Using the Windows Built-in Print Driver for help

Keep me posted. 

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!

[MisterMints]

Partly working again.

Adding a printer through the Control Panel didn't work - the computer just couldn't see/find the printer at all. But I have now connected it with a USB cable and it is appearing as a selectable printer on my PC.

If I try to connect/search for it wirelessly the only printer visible is the "Scan Only - do not delete" one.

[TEJ1602]

@MisterMints

The only option left is to reset your PC. Refer to the document HP PCs - Resetting Your Computer (Windows 10) for help.

Now reinstall the printer drivers and try printing.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

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!