Error: "There is a problem with the printer. Turn the printer on, then off."

[DrSA]

I am having the identical problem: idle for an hour, then flashing lights and printer error. I am using a Mac, and when I try to use HPSmart as suggested in other similar Q&As, it launches and immediately crashes. 

[Jay_G24]

Hi @DrSA,

I'd like to help!

 May I have the exact model name of the product? Refer to this document for steps to find the product details. Do not share any of your personal information such as serial, phone number, email ID, etc.

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 “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping

[DrSA]

This is the HP OfficeJet Pro 8710. 

I had a call with tech support earlier this week and they blamed the problem on 

1) my OS - but Windows and Mac users are both having this problem as you can see in the forum.

2) the printer being "broken" - but the printer works fine, except for throwing an error once an hour and needing to be turned off and on again repeatedly.

3) the printer being "obsolete" - but if it's "obsolete," it's because HP has done something to make it so. And if HP is now "expiring" working printers in the same way you "expire" full ink cartridges, it's the last HP I will ever buy.

I believe HP pushed an update that has caused this problem, but when I suggested this, the tech support person got defensive and told me I couldn't prove that.

I have tried the steps prescribed for doing a firmware update but when I try to run HP Smart, it immediately crashes. I have uninstalled and re-installed multiple times.

[Jay_G24]

We can perform a factory defaults on the printer to resolve the issue

• The reset instructions are specific for your printer and performing those steps on a different printer may corrupt the device.
• I've sent you a private message with reset instructions, follow the reset instruction to perform a full reset and re-initialize the printer.
• In order to access your private messages, click the private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Support Community profile, next to your profile Name or simply click on this link: https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/notes/privatenotespage

 Uninstall HP Smart and install it from APP store.

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 “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping