Printer is Printing Symbols

[Ken196]

When I go to print, my printer starts printing symbols.

[sandytechy20]

@Ken196

Welcome to the HP support community.

Provide the printer model number or the product number for further assistance.

Here is the link to find the product number:- Click here

Which operating system is installed on the computer to which this printer is connected?

Could you elaborate on the issue for better understanding?

[DorisED]

Apologies for answering before the first person has... my printer is HP Envy 6400e and for the past few days all I get is multiple pages of gibberish at the top of each page (even when its only 1 page I'm attempting to print).  I have recently upgraded my Dell computer to Windows 11 operating system.

Example of "gibberish" symbols printing

[Jay_G24]

Hi @DorisED,

Welcome to the HP Support Community

I'd like to help!

I understand the printer prints unexpected prints.

Try the below suggestions-

Step 1: Cancel the print job

Cancel the print job before performing a printer reset.

1. In Windows, search for and open Control Panel.

2. Under Hardware and Sound, click View devices and printers.

3. Double-click the printer icon, and then double-click See What's Printing.

   The print queue opens.

4. Click the print job you want to cancel, and then click Document.

5. Click Cancel, and then click Yes to confirm the selection.

   NOTE: 

   If the lights on the printer continue to blink after you cancel the print job, the computer is still sending the job to the printer. Either delete the job from the print queue or wait until the computer finishes sending information. The printer returns to its ready state.

Continue to the next step.

Step 2: 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.

Step 3: 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.

Step 4: 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.

Step 5: 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. 

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

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

[DorisED]

Thank-you for your reply.  Unfortunately, none of the steps worked.  I did not connect the printer to my computer via a USB cable because I need this to be a wireless printer solution and the printer actually has a sticker over the USB port with a circle and slash through it.  This indicates HP wants it to be a wireless printer?

I can't understand why the HP Print and Scan Doctor said everything looks fine.  Even the test page comes out all gibberish.  I've gone through a "mountain of paper" trying to fix this.  As its under warranty it looks like I'll have to take it back?

So annoyed right now!

[Jay_G24]

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 windows built-in driver

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

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