Officejet Pro 8600 "Unable to Communicate with Printer

[FreakyDeaky]

The printer keeps giving me "Unable to communicate with printer" everytime I try to print.  Also the scan to computer doesn't work anymore.

There are no errors in the Network Settings - everything tests good.  It has a strong wireless signal and connection.  When I load the IP address on my computer - everything shows working.

I've tried all the website troubleshooting to no avail.  The printer and my computer is all up-to-date.

Windows 10

[greenturtle · Accepted solution]

Hi,
Can you try this:

* *Note that if there are other printers installed, these will need to be reinstalled after this.

Step 1. Uninstall the HP Software from your PC. Please follow the steps provided to uninstall the printer software in the link:
Uninstalling the Printer Software (Windows)https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c02259020
Also, please follow the steps provided below to completely remove the printer software from printer properties.
Steps to remove printer driver files from Print Server Properties:

Step 2. Open the Print Server Properties dialog window by doing one of the following:
• Click the Start menu and in the search field type 'printui /s /t2' (without the quotes), and then press Enter or click it in the search list.
• Open “Devices and Printers” (not Win10)
• Select any printer and then click "Print server properties" at the top of the window.
• Click on the Drivers tab.
• Click on each printer driver and click on Remove

For Win10:
• Press WINDOWS-R on the keyboard to bring up the Run window, type in 'printui /s /t2' (without the quotes), and then press Enter or click OK.
• Click on the Drivers tab.
• Click on each printer driver and click on Remove
• From the Start menu or the Start screen:
• Open “Printers and Scanners”
• Click on each Printer and click “Remove Device”

Step 3. Backup your registry before making any registry changes, the following resource will show you how:
https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c03485724

Step 4. Update the registry using the Reg file below
Note: this will change some printer related policies for your PC):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/avbv56zdgwv7600/kernel.reg?dl=1

Step 5. Right click the Start menu and select Run. Type Services.msc and press OK.
Locate and stop the Print Spooler service

Step 6. Browse to c:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers.
Rename W32X86 to W32x86.oldRename x64 to x64.old
Note: if any of these folders fail to rename reboot your PC and then continue following the steps starting from Step 5.

Step 7. Restart PC.

Step 8. Finally, reinstall the HP Software.

Hope that helps!

[FreakyDeaky]

greenturtle,  

I followed your steps to a tee and I'm able to immediately print!!  I'm going to give it a couple more days to make sure it sticks but so far so good!!

Thanks very much.

[CoachWalker]

Step 2 is confusing

[greenturtle]

Hi @CoachWalker ,

Thanks for using the HP Support Community.

Thanks for the feedback, have amended Step  2. 

Hope that helps!