Printer Cannot Connect To Server with wired internet connection

[PapaWolf83]

I have an HP Officejet Pro 8600 e-All-in-One series printer. The tag on the back list the serial number as: [edited]. This serial number is not recognized by HP. The Product Number is: CM749A.

When I boot the printer which is connected to the router via an ethernet cable or wireless connection, the IP address on the printer screen says: 169.254.148.14. HP software says this IP Address is an Auto IP but this never changes. The printer displays the error message: The printer could not connect to the server.

I've tried calling HP Support but was disconnected when I provided the error above.

[Max3Aj · Accepted solution]

@PapaWolf83, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you. 

I understand you're seeing the error "The printer could not connect to the server" and your printer is assigning itself an Auto IP address (169.254.x.x). This typically means the printer is not receiving a valid IP address from your router.

Let’s walk through the steps to resolve this:

Check Physical and Network Connections

Wired (Ethernet) Connection:

• Ensure the Ethernet cable is securely connected to both the printer and the router.
• Try a different Ethernet port on the router.
• Replace the Ethernet cable if possible.

Wireless Connection (if using Wi-Fi instead):

• Make sure the printer is within range of the router.
• Restart your router and printer.

Restart Devices

• Power off your printer, router, and computer.
• Wait for 60 seconds.
• Turn on the router first, then the printer, and finally your computer.

Assign a Valid IP Address

Since your printer is stuck on an Auto IP, try assigning a manual IP address:

1. On the printer’s control panel, go to:
   • Setup > Network > Ethernet/Wireless Settings > Advanced Settings > IP Settings > Manual
2. Enter an IP address in the same range as your router. For example:
   • IP Address: 192.168.1.250
   • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
   • Default Gateway: 192.168.1.1 (your router’s IP)
3. Save the settings and restart the printer.

Check Internet Access

• Make sure your router has an active internet connection.
• If your network uses a proxy, disable it temporarily.

Update Printer Firmware

Outdated firmware can cause connectivity issues. Update your printer firmware:

Official HP® Support

Additional Tips

• Ensure Web Services are enabled if you're trying to use HP ePrint or cloud features.
• If you're behind a firewall or VPN, try disabling them temporarily to test connectivity. 

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Select "Yes" on the bottom left to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support 

[PapaWolf83]

First, I uninstalled the HP Printer software on my laptop and rebooted. Disabled anti-virus on Windows Defender. Then, rebooted my router, then my printer. I did the wireless manual IP configuration on the printer after verifying that the connected devices to the router would not conflict with my manual IP address of 192.168.1.20. Rebooted the printer. Downloaded the FULL HP printer software to the laptop and installed. The HP printer was visible! I was able to complete the HP printer software install. I downloaded the HP printer firmware package, but I already had the latest firmware.

Then, I tried to print, but one of my printer cartridges (yellow) is out. So, I need to replace it to verify that I can print. Nothing's EASY!

I believe your instructions solved my problem. But, I'll know when I get the new yellow printer cartridge.

Thanks a million!

I'll reply when I get that new yellow printer cartridge.

[Max3Aj]

Hey! @PapaWolf83, That’s fantastic to hear! 🎉

It sounds like you did everything right, great job troubleshooting step-by-step and getting the printer recognized on your network. The Auto IP issue is a common one, and your manual IP configuration was spot on.

Once you replace that yellow cartridge, you should be good to go. If the printer is visible and the software installed successfully, printing should work smoothly.

Tip for later: Once everything is working, consider re-enabling your antivirus and adding the HP software as an exception if needed, just to keep your system protected.

Thanks again for the kind words and fingers crossed for that yellow cartridge! 😊

Stay fantastic, and have an amazing day ahead! 

Regards, 

Max3Aj

[PapaWolf83]

I replaced the printer cartridge that was out.

Tried to print a Word doc and get an error. The HP Officejet Pro 8600 (Network) only shows: Error Printing for the job that I wanted to print.

I looked at the Application Event Log in the Event Viewer and see 2 entries:

Information     7/22/2025 5:11:28 PM            Universal Print            1          None

Information     7/22/2025 5:11:28 PM            Universal Print            1          None

The first entry:

The description for Event ID 1 from source Universal Print cannot be found. Either the component that raises this event is not installed on your local computer or the installation is corrupted. You can install or repair the component on the local computer.

If the event originated on another computer, the display information had to be saved with the event.

The following information was included with the event:

Device is neither AAD/Domain Joined or Workplace Joined.
mcpmanagementservice.dll

The locale specific resource for the desired message is not present

The second entry:

The description for Event ID 1 from source Universal Print cannot be found. Either the component that raises this event is not installed on your local computer or the installation is corrupted. You can install or repair the component on the local computer.

If the event originated on another computer, the display information had to be saved with the event.

The following information was included with the event:

Initialization Successful. Enabled=false, CloudPrintSolution=Unknown, DiscoveryEndpoint=, OAuthAuthority=, OAuthClientId=, DiscoveryResourceId=, PrintResourceId=
mcpmanagementservice.dll

The locale specific resource for the desired message is not present

I can see the printer as a connected device when I view the list of connected devices. The IP Address matches the Manual IP Address that I entered.

I reran the HP software to configure/setup the printer and entered the Manual IP Address. Got an error regarding the Fax setup, but it seems the Printer was configured and ready to use. I don't plan to do any Faxing.

Any suggestions for my next step?

Thanks

[PapaWolf83]

More info....

Tried to print a Printer Test Report from the Printer and see this error message:

There is a problem with the printer or ink system. Turn printer off, then on. If

the problem persists, contact HP.

I rebooted printer and this same error is displayed.

[Max3Aj]

@PapaWolf83, Thanks for the detailed update, you're doing a great job navigating a tricky issue. Based on your latest findings, it looks like there are two separate problems now:

"Error Printing" from Windows

This is likely a Windows-side communication issue, not a Universal Print issue (those Event Viewer logs are mostly informational and not directly related to your local printer setup).

Suggested Steps:

A. Clear Print Queue and Restart Print Spooler

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Scroll to Print Spooler, right-click, and choose Stop.
3. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS and delete all files inside.
4. Go back to Services, right-click Print Spooler, and choose Start.

B. Remove and Reinstall the Printer

1. Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
2. Remove the HP Officejet Pro 8600 (Network).
3. Click Add a printer or scanner and choose The printer I want isn’t listed.
4. Select Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname.
5. Enter the manual IP address (192.168.1.20) and follow the prompts.

"Problem with the printer or ink system" on the Printer Itself

This is a hardware-level error, and it must be resolved before printing will work.

Suggested Steps:

A. Reset the Printer

1. Turn the printer on.
2. Disconnect the power cable from the back of the printer while it’s on.
3. Unplug the power cable from the wall outlet.
4. Wait 60 seconds.
5. Plug the power cable back into the wall and then into the printer.
6. Turn the printer on if it doesn’t power up automatically.

B. Check Ink Cartridges

• Make sure all cartridges are genuine HP and properly seated.
• Remove and reinsert each cartridge.
• Clean the electrical contacts on the cartridges and inside the printer using a lint-free cloth and distilled water.

I hope this helps!

If my response resolves your issue, please click “Accepted Solution” to help others find the answer. Also, don’t forget to click the “Yes” button to say thanks!

Take care and have a great day.

Max3Aj

HP Support

[PapaWolf83]

Bingo Max3Aj!

First, cleared the Print Queue and Restarted Print Spooler. Then, Removed and Reinstalled the Printer.

And then Reset the Printer and Removed and Reinstalled the Ink Cartridges. 

However, I did not clean the electrical contacts on the cartridges. I simply ran an auto-print head cleaning via the menu on the printer. Cleaning the print heads showed that the printer would still print.

Then, I printed a doc from the laptop. All is well!