OfficeJet 6956 error - won't print

[jimd2320]

Hi! I purchased a PC along with a HP6956 a while ago. Everything worked perfectly for about a week, then the PC died. I got a replacement and was never able to connect the printer wirelessly...no dramas, I ran it through the USB OK. All other wireless printing from my wife's laptop, phones etc continued to work. We have moved house now and I can't set up the printer with the USB, and wireless I have the exact same issues as this guy; https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Inkjet-Printing/Unable-to-set-up-Officejet-6950-drivers-on-Windows-10-...

I have been through each step (noting there was no working solution given), but now when going to the HP site for drivers it says "unable to retrieve the list of drivers for your product". I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling through both the supplied disc and the online installer with no luck at all. Now I can't even get it to print through the USB.

As in the link above, my PC can see the printer, the printer can see the network, every other device can use it, and I can even print a diagnostic page (but not a test page!).

If anyone has the answer it would be much appreciated! Thanks.

[TEJ1602 · Accepted solution]

@jimd2320, Welcome to HP Support Community!

This could be due to the connectivity or the drivers installed. Let us try to isolate and resolve the issue-

You may need to instead go into your router settings and try changing the channel manually. Experiment with different channels to see which one works best.

Use HP Print and Scan Doctor

Download HP Print and Scan Doctor and run the program. It will automatically diagnose and fix any printer connectivity issues. 

For more information, go to https://support.hp.com/us-en/topic/printscandoctor

Update the printer firmware

Download available firmware updates from the HP website

With the printer on and connected to the computer, go to HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads, and then identify your printer. Look for and install any available firmware updates. Refer to the document HP Printers - Updating or Upgrading Printer Firmware

Assign manual IP to the printer

The steps on how to set a manual IP address can be found here.

For the DNS servers please use 8.8.8.8 for the Manual Preferred DNS Server and 8.8.4.4 for the Alternate DNS server. These are Google’s public DNS servers

If the issue persists, I recommend you delete the driver and root level and retry, follow the steps below: 

1) In Windows, search for and open Programs and features 

2) Select your HP Printer 

3) Select Uninstall 

4) In Windows, search for and open Devices and printers 

5) In the Devices and Printers windows look for your HP printer. If you see it listed right-click on it and choose ‘Delete’ or ‘Remove Device’ 

6) Open up the run command with the “Windows key + R” key combo. 

7) Type printui.exe /s and click Ok. (Note: there is a space in between “printui.exe”

8). Click on the “Drivers” tab 

9) Look for the HP Printer driver. If you see it Click on it and click Remove at the bottom 

10) Select Ok 

11) Select Apply and Ok on the Print Server Properties windows 

12) Close Devices and Printers.

Use this link to download and install the new driver. Configure the printer.

Add a TCP/IP port.

1. Print a Network Configuration Report from the Printer Settings or Wireless menu.
2. Right-click your printer, select Printer Properties, click the Ports tab, and then click Add Port.
3. Select Standard TCP/IP Port, and then click New Port.
4. Follow the instructions to add a new port using the information listed on the Network Configuration Report.
5. 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!

[jimd2320]

Thanks mate...I had tried all of those steps before posting, but in the end it was a combination of installing via the online bit, then manually grabbing the driver from the CD. Not sure exactly what I did, but it all works now.