Print and Scan doctor prints internal test page not test page

[Graham555]

I cannot print from apps. Print and Scan doctor says "Everything checks out OK with your printer". The test page does not print . The internal test page does print. Under Windows - Settings- Printers and Scanners - Deskjet 3700 series it says "Default, Error".

I have uninstalled and reinstalled HP Smart, with no effect.

Possibly relevant:

I am in the UK, my printer is about 9 months old and appears to be German. I did not see any hint of this when buying but it was an huge hassle to get it to print initially, and at some point it printed out a page in German.

I eventually got it working with wifi but several times it just stopped printing. In those cases I got it working by reinstalling everything and going back to usb (then wifi). Now I cannot get it working with usb.

A few weeks ago I ran out of "instant ink" (yellow, cyan). I had not received any ink since initial purchase. The online status said the ink was very low. After running out of magenta it said "cartridge error". More hassle to phone for more ink. The new cartridge worked for a few pages before the printer failed again.

[Jay_G24]

Hi @Graham555,

I'd like to help!

I understand you are unable to print from a computer.

Let's try and uninstall the printer software from the root level on your PC and install the full feature printer software.

First, unplug the USB cable from the printer if present.

• Go to Control panel – Programs and feature – Select all the HP printer entries and uninstall them.
  • Now go to Control panel – Devices and printer – Select all the printer entries and remove the device.
  • Restart your computer.
  • Click the bottom-left Start button on desktop, type device manager in the search box and tap Device Manager on the menu.
  • Once in device manager, click on the view tab in the top & choose “Show hidden devices”.
  • Then from the device manager list, check the entries under “Printer” – If there are any entries, please right click and choose “uninstall” – In the confirm device un-install pop-up, make sure you select the box which says “Delete the driver software for this device". 
  • Also, check the entries under "printer queue" and "imaging devices" and repeat the same exercise. Delete any printer entry or any entry which says “Unknown device”.
  • Once done, close device-manger. Then press the "windows key" + "r" to get the "Run" window open - Type "printui.exe /s" and press enter.
  • Under print server properties, go to drivers - remove any entry there as well.
  • Again, go running window, type – “c:/programdata” – Go to Hewlett Packard folder, remove any printer related folders & files.
  • Once done you can try cleaning out your temporary files and cached files. You can try using automated applications like some cleaner software's that you can download from the internet.
  • Now restart your computer again.
  • Open the Run window again, type “services.msc” and press ok to get services window.
  • Scroll down to “Remote Procedure Call (RPC)” – right-click and go to properties. Make sure the service is started and startup type is “Automatic”.
  • Now scroll up and go to “Function Discovery Provider Host” – right-click and select properties – Change the startup type to “manual” and start the service.
  • Repeat the same exercise on “Function Discovery Resource Publication” as well
  • Windows image acquisition stop and restart the service 

Install all the available Windows updates

If it is been a while since you updated your Windows, that is the main reason why Windows says your HP printer driver is unavailable. Here are the steps how to do a Windows Update to install all accessible operating system update.

If you are accessing Windows 10, then these steps are for you.

1. Hit the Start menu and write an update. After that, click on the “Check for updates” option.
2. Tap on the “Check for updates” option.
3. After clicking on that option, Windows will install the updates automatically.
4. When Windows completes all its updates, start your computer again and attempt to print a file to check if your printer works.

Reinstall the drivers from the Software and drivers page

If the error persists, Try installing the printer with a windows built-in driver

Also, please send us a private message with your Instant Ink account details or you may also respond to the private message I've sent out and I'll help you out, accordingly. Check next to your profile name, you should see a little blue envelope, please click on it. 

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

And, Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

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

Click the “Yes" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping

[Graham555]

I followed the instructions apart from these bits.

Then from the device manager list, check the entries under “Printer” – If there are any entries, please right click and choose “uninstall” – In the confirm device un-install pop-up, make sure you select the box which says “Delete the driver software for this device".

No “Printer” section

Also, check the entries under "printer queue" and "imaging devices" and repeat the same exercise. Delete any printer entry or any entry which says “Unknown device”.

"printer queue" has Fax, Microsoft Print to PDF, Microsoft XPS document Writer, OneNote for Windows, Root Print Queue. No uninstall option for any. No "imaging devices" scetion.

Under print server properties, go to drivers - remove any entry there as well.

Only Microsoft entries.
Microsoft enhanced Point and Print compatibility driver
Microsoft enhanced Point and Print compatibility driver
Microsoft IPP Class Driver
Microsoft Print To PDF
Microsoft PS Class Driver
Microsoft Software Printer Driver
Microsoft XPS Document Writer v4
I did not remove these.

Tried HP Smart

It says connect printer to same network as computer. How?

I can see DIRECT HP printer under my wifi list, and connect to that. It says "secured, no internet.

HPSmart shows printer, I select it, next tab titled "Install Driver to print".

Under Printers and Scanners, HP Deskjet 3700 series is Offline. DIRECT HP printer has disappeared from wifi list.

Try HP Smart again

It says No printers found. Printer has no Ethernet socket. Try USB.

HP Smart  Finds HP Deskjet 3700, Online.

Choose Not Now for wifi.

HP Smart  says Setup complete!

No print.

Under windows Printers and Scanners, it says Driver unavailable.

Try printing from another app. No print. Under windows Printers and Scanners, it now says Error.

Try HP Smart third time. Now says No printer found, although still plugged in by usb.

[Jay_G24]

Troubleshoot the printer USB connection

Check the USB cable for damage and recommended length, and then restart your printer and computer.

1. Turn off the printer and the computer.

2. Disconnect the USB cable from the computer and printer, and then inspect the cable.

   • If the cable is damaged or longer than 3 m (9 ft 10 in), replace it.

   • If the cable is undamaged and shorter than 3 m (9 ft 10 in), connect the cable to a different USB port on the computer. The port should be USB 2.0 or greater. If you are using a USB hub or docking station, connect the cable directly to the computer.

3. Connect the cable to the printer.

4. Turn on the computer, and then wait for the start-up process to complete.

Also, run a wireless test report and share the details.

1. On the printer's control panel, press the Wireless button  and the Information button  at the same time.

Keep me posted!

[Graham555]

USB cable is 3m good condition.

After 4, I was able to print one file after ~2min delay. Second attempt failed, "Error- Printing" shows in print queue.

Top of third page of wireless test report it says it says "No problems found. Congratulations on the successful setup of your wireless printer."

[Graham555]

I tried removing and reinstalling everything as per your first post. When I got to

Reinstall the drivers from the Software and drivers page

the link failed. Microsoft store says "The thing you're looking for isn't here."

[Jay_G24]

  Use HP Print and Scan Doctor to identify the issue.

Download a special version of HP Print and Scan Doctor specifically created to help with printer offline conditions.

1. Download HP Print and Scan Doctor.
2. Run HPPSdr.exe from the download location on your computer.
3. Once HP Print and Scan Doctor opens, click Start, and then select your printer.
   • If your printer in not in the list, turn it off and on, and then click Retry.
   • If there is a connection problem, follow the instructions in HP Print and Scan Doctor.
4. If a screen prompts you to turn on printer updates, click Yes.
5. If a screen prompts you to make your printer the default printer, click Yes.

Meanwhile, you may try adding the printer using printer IP.

 Connect the printer to TCP/IP port

 --->Touch on the wifi icon ((i)) on the printer, and take down the IP address 

a. Click Start/Devices and Printers.  Right-click on your HP Printer.  Select Printer Properties.  Select the Ports tab at the top.

b.    Select Add Port.  Select Standard TCP/IP Port.  Select New Port.

c.    Follow the Add Port Wizard.  Under Printer Name or IP Address, .  Example:  192.168.1.15.  The IP address will be copied under Port Name.  

d.    Select Next and Finish the Wizard.

Let me know how this goes!

[Graham555]

On1: Firefox says "file not downloaded - potential security risk."

On a: I have uninstalled HP smart and drivers, so no longer have the printer in Devices and Printers. I can't download HP Smart for the reasons I alraedy gave.

[Jay_G24]

Try and install the HP Easy Start from this link -https://support.hp.com/in-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-deskjet-3700-all-in-one-printer-series/8954253 (under the installation software and full /basic driver tab)

Let me know if you are able to install the drivers.

[Graham555]

I have now reinstalled HP Smart. I am now back at the beginning. Printer is connected with USB, Print and Scan doctor says everything is OK, won't print test page.