Why do I have to run HP Print and Scan Doctor almost every single time I print?

[Amethyst7108]

I have an HP OfficeJet 3830 that is about three and a half years old.  I don't print often, but when I do, it's a bit annoying to have to run the HP Print and Scan Doctor basically every single time.  Typically, this program fixes whatever issues my printer has, because apparently it can't download its own drivers and updates like it's supposed to, and I can print afterwards.  Today, I ran into this same thing.  It said it was out of paper when it wasn't.  Then it simply wouldn't print.  Ran the HP Print and Scan Doctor, which also needed an update, and like magic, suddenly it could print again.  I wasn't able to finish printing what I needed to print (some photos for a birthday present) so a few hours later, when I had time again, I tried printing them again.  Same issue.  Except the HP Print and Scan Doctor didn't fix it this time.  What fixed it?  Why, turning it off and back on, of course!  Why is this?  Is my printer just a piece of junk designed to break after a few years so I'll have to get another printer?  Also, it did something odd today that it's never done before:  printed a picture with several wet dots of ink on the picture.  Am I supposed to be constantly using it or what?  Why does it do something dumb 90% of the time when I want to print something?  I just don't get it.

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@Amethyst7108 

"Why" Questions can be more difficult to answer than "how to fix" questions.

So - an attempt...

First order of business:

No: The printer is not designed to break after years of service so you will buy another printer.  That said, inexpensive printers are not meant to last as long as the larger, more expensive officejet pro and laserjet pro printers that one might find in a home or business office environment.  Inexpensive printers are not built to break - they are also not the workhorses of the printer world.   On the other hand, earlier this week I answered a question from a teacher in the rural countryside of the US who has a 2003 HP Deskjet 5650 Color Inkjet Printer that she uses to scan and print teaching materials.  Amazing and yet not at all related to your situation...

To the extent that I am following your message, there is some indication that the printer is not being used often enough.

A neglected printer may not stay connected to your network.  There is some normalcy in the behavior of not being used and eventually falling off the network.  Note the word "normalcy" is not "preferred".  It would probably help if you assigned the printer its own IP address (manual / Static IP).

A neglected printer may not produce the kind of print results you expect.  Printers can develop ink system issues - printers that are not used regularly are more susceptible to print quality issues.  This is a tough one - printers do not particularly like to be idle for long periods.  If you actually switch off the printer and let it sit for extended periods, then depending on the printer, the print results might even be worse.  The ink system is not meant to be idle over long periods.

Any printer might prefer - along with the Static IP address - to have the connection type set to TCP/IP.

Any printer can develop issues over time after Windows Updates have disrupted the File System on which the printer software depends.  Windows Updates are not evil - they can wreak odd havoc on installed software, including printer software.  Solutions vary from running troubleshooting to having to uninstall and then reinstall the printer software.  Not using the printer for longer periods of time might appear to increase the risk since there might be more than one Windows Update between the times you use the printer.

If you wish to use an automatic "point and click" approach some of these suggestions,  start here...

Download and run the Offline Doctor.

MIght work - Although the doctor cannot help / fix the print quality issues (ink system), the good doctor might reduce or eliminate one or two of the connection issues.

Offline Doctor V5.0.6

  HPPSdr_5.0.6.exe

• Download and Save the doctor to your computer
• Open File Explorer > Navigate to the folder in which you saved the file (likely Downloads)
• Execute the doctor – Answer any prompts /  let the process complete
• Restart the computer, log in, and wait for the final steps in the Doctor to finish.
• Check for any difference.

NOTES – Contributed by ShlomiL

Paraphrased

Connection Issues

• Print and Scan Doctor Version 5.0.6 creates a secondary queue for printing with TCP/IP port.

Check

If necessary, Adjust the “Default” printing device (Default Printer)

Open Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers

Right-Click on the printer NOT marked as “Scan Only / DO NOT DELETE”

Set printer as Default

Example – Printers listed in Devices and Printers

Set “Default” Printer = HP OfficeJet Pro 9020 series PCL-3

NOT Default = Scan Only -HP OfficeJet Pro 9020 series PCL-3 (Network)-DO NOT DELETE

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HP OfficeJet 3830 All-in-One Printer series

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