Windows 10 / HP Laserjet M604 now going offline and fixes don't work

[fred339]

In the last 2 weeks, we've had a spate of printers going offline and won't print.  

The setup hasn't changed in years.  The printers are all network printers using TCP/IP ports.  

Suddenly *some* computers see the printer "offline".

Some workarounds to fix this include a computer reboot, clearing out windows\system32\spool\printers folder, COMPLETELY uninstalling the printer and driver and reinstalling from a fresh download from HP.

We rather suspect a Windows update but can't find anything written about such a connection.

One expert reported a Windows update in June or July which affected printing.  It was followed by another update (not specified) that fixed *some* computers.  But we can't identify.

Some computers continue to work with printers that have this problem.

Some HP network printers continue to work with computers that have this problem.

The big issue for us are the computers/printers that have this problem.

We seriously need a solution as there are a number of computer/printer combinations that aren't working.

We have used HP Print and Scan Doctor as well ....

We have set up the printer service Event Log and haven't seen anything interesting yet....

[Repairatrooper]

Which drivers are you using? The discrete model specific driver or the Universal Print Driver?

[fred339]

I believe that most, if not all of them, were the printer model specific drivers.

I've just been told that print jobs have been "unstuck" in process by restarting the print spooler service.

Of course that's not a fix, just a workaround.