Printer won’t communicate with PC over printer cable

[HowardBrown]

My printer M477fdw was showing as offline. I rebooted both pc and printer. Didn’t work so I uninstalled the hp software and drivers. Started the install process again and when it asked to plug in the usb cable nothing happened. I even noticed that the computer did not make a sound as it does when a new usb device is plugged in.   Tried different printer cables with same results. Don’t have another computer to try.  Printer works fine when I copy the file to a usb drive and plug that into the printer. Sounds to me like the connection on the printer where the printer cable plugs in is bad. Any help would be appreciated. 
Howard 

[Raj_05 · Accepted solution]

Hi @HowardBrown,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

It sounds like you're experiencing issues with the USB connection between your HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdw and your computer. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try.

Check USB Port Functionality on the Computer:

• Test the USB ports on your computer with another device (e.g., a USB flash drive) to ensure they are working properly.
• Try using different USB ports on your computer.

Inspect USB Cable:

• Even though you've tried different printer cables, make sure the cables are in good condition and not damaged.
• Use a USB 2.0 cable if available, as some devices may have compatibility issues with USB 3.0 ports and cables.

Check Printer USB Port:

• Inspect the USB port on the printer for any visible damage or debris.
• Gently clean the port with compressed air to remove any dust or debris.

Printer and Computer Restart:

• Turn off both the printer and the computer.
• Unplug the printer from the power source and leave it unplugged for about 30 seconds.
• Plug the printer back in and turn it on.
• Restart your computer.

Update or Reinstall USB Drivers:

• On your computer, go to Device Manager (you can search for it in the Start menu).
• Look for "Universal Serial Bus controllers" and expand the list.
• Right-click on each USB device listed and select "Update driver."
• If updating doesn't work, try uninstalling the USB drivers and then restart your computer. Windows should automatically reinstall the drivers upon reboot.

Alternative Connection Methods:

• If the USB connection still doesn't work, consider connecting the printer via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. This might help you bypass any USB port issues on the printer.
• For a network setup, ensure both the printer and your computer are connected to the same network.

Printer Firmware Update:

• Check if there are any firmware updates available for your printer. You can do this through the HP Support website.

HP Print and Scan Doctor:

• Download and run the HP Print and Scan Doctor, a free tool that can help diagnose and resolve printing and scanning problems. You can find it on the HP Support website.

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. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Alden4

HP Support