Gibberish

[selleo]

Having the same issue with HP office Jet 5255.

It will randomly start printing pages with the "cookie = mstshash..." code. Sometimes even in the middle of the night!

I have got the printer for less than a month and it has already wasted almost 10 pages + it's using my instant ink quota.

Is there a solution to this problem?

Thanks

[Riddle_Decipher]

@selleo

Thank you for choosing the HP Support Forums, a community energized by solutions, as we are eager to help resolve your concerns,

I am Riddle_Decipher and I'm at your service (Like a Genie, however, without magic powers) 😉

Have you upgraded the printer firmware to resolve the issue?

(Click here for the details)

While you respond to that, here's what else you need to do:

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.

FOR DETAILS & FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS, USE THIS LINK: CLICK HERE & SKIP TO STEP 2 ONWARD

(By the end of this article all the issues should be resolved)

Also, about the instant ink page count, I can help you with that as well, all you have to do is respond with the details to my private message:

You may check your Private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Forums profile, using the blue envelope: 

Click here for more details on how to access the private messages on HP Forums

Let me know how that pans out,

If you feel I was helpful, simply click on Accept as Solution to help the community grow,

That said, I will have someone follow-up on this to ensure you've been helped,

Just in case you don't get back to us within 24 - 48hrs, and have a good day, ahead.

[Jeet_singh]

@selleo, (Switching to a public post as personal information is no longer being shared)

It looks like you were interacting with @Riddle_Decipher, but he is out for the day & I'll be glad to help you out, 
I'm the Jeet_Singh & I'm at your service. 

that said, I have reviewed your concern and the entire conversation, did some research and here's what I recommend:

I would suggest here is to update the printer firmware, now you can try to do that either from the printer control panel or you can download the printer firmware from our HP support website, using this link. Once done, restart the printer.

For more details on how to do that, please follow this link: HP Printers - Updating or Upgrading Printer Firmware

If you're running Windows then I would suggest here is to uninstall the printer drivers from the root level and then reinstall the printer drivers by following the steps below: 

• Press “Windows key” + “r” to get the “Run” window.
• Type "services.msc" to get Services – Go to “Print spooler” – Right-click and “Stop” the service.
• Now again open "Run" - Type “spool” and ok - Go to PRINTERS folder - delete everything in that folder.
• Go to services again - Start the print spooler.
• Now check for issue resolution.
• If the issue persists, also try clean installing the printer drivers. Here are the steps:
• First, unplug the USB cable from the printer if present.
• Go to Control panel – Programs and feature – Select all the HP Officejet printer entries and uninstall them.
• Now go to Control panel – Devices and printer – Select all the printer entries and remove the device.
• Press the "windows key" + "r" to get the "Run" window open - Type "printui.exe /s" (There is a space between .exe & /) and press enter.
• Under print server properties, go to drivers - remove any entry there as well.
• Again, go to the Run window, type – “c:/programdata” – Go to Hewlett Packard folder, remove any printer related folders & files.
• Restart your computer.
• Please click here (Please enter the correct Product number and then select the correct Operating system and version of Windows before downloading and installing the full feature software for this printer).
• Connect the USB cable if prompted and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Please let me know if this resolves the issue, or if you require further assistance!

Eagerly waiting for your response!

that said, If the information I've provided was helpful, 

give us some reinforcement by clicking the solution and kudos buttons, 

that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!

Good Luck.

[selleo]

Hi @Jeet_singh ,

Thanks for your reply. My print just printed 5 pages of random stuff again this morning 😞 

I'm using Mac and the printer firmware is up to date.

Tried the Methods provided by @Riddle_Decipher last week but since I'm using Mac I was only able to do Step 2 (Reset the printer), and it didn't work as we can see.

Is there any other method to solve the problem for MAC? Thanks