Windows 10 PC Printer Problems

[Don1kP]

This is clearly a software problem deep in the bowels of Windows as I have two Windows 10 PCs both running the same version of Windows and with the same drivers installed from HP. The laptop, which was upgraded from Windows 8 a few years back, works perfectly via a wireless connection to the network connected OfficeJet 4650. It Prints color, duplex, all is well. Accessing the same printer from my desktop Windows 10 PC on the same network, the documents will not print duplex and only prints black and white. I also get a message when printing more than one page that the duplexer is not installed on the device.

I have completely uninstalled the printer and drivers and reinstalled them with the same results. The only difference in this PC is that I did a "clean install" of Windows 10 which had Windows 7 on it originally.

Another data point is that a second printer (OfficeJet Pro L7590) which is connected via USB to the problem PC also warns that the printer does not have duplexer installed.

Error when attempting duplex printing

[Dvortex]

Hello, @Don1kP – Hope you are well 🙂

Welcome to the HP Forum! This is a wonderful location to converse with the community, get assistance and find tips!

I understand that you are facing issues while printing 2-sided / duplex on your Officejet printer. I would suggest the steps mentioned below to try and fix the issue:
 

1. Go to Control panel – Devices and printers.
2. Right-click on Officejet and select “Printing preferences”.
3. Under the Paper/Quality or Layout tab, select the 2-sided / duplex printing option.
4. Apply and save the settings. Now try to print.

If the issue still persists, then right-click on the printer again and select "Printer Properties"

• Select the Device settings tab.
• Ensure that the duplex unit is set to Installed rather than Not installed.

Alternatively, try to use the Windows built-in drivers if you are still facing the issue:

First, open Windows Device Installation Settings and confirm that your computer is set to automatically download driver software.
 

• Search Windows for Change Device Installation, and then click the Change device installation settings Control Panel setting in the list of results.
• Device Installation Settings window displays.
• Select the Yes option, and then click Save Changes.

Now, follow the steps listed under step 3 here: http://hp.care/2oSqtTW

Those steps should do the trick, let me know the outcome!

Good luck 🙂

Please click "Accepted as Solution" on the post that solves your issue to help others find the solution. To show appreciation for my help, please click the "Thumbs Up Icon" below!

[Don1kP]

I've followed all these steps you recommeded and still get the printing error message that the duplexer is not installed. (the printer properties show that it is installed). Also, it says in the error messge that the document will be printed single sided. It does not, It prints as I have setup the priinter to print two sided. So, the duplex printing works inspite of the bogus error message.

[Don1kP]

Well, it's been over two weeks since I replied that your solution did not work. What is the next thing we need to try?

[Rainbow23]

Hi @Don1kP,

Welcome to HP Forums, this is a great place to get support, find answers and tips.

Thank you for posting your query. I'll be more than glad to help you.

I understand that the duplex printing works but you keep getting a false error message.

I suggest that you update the firmware from the link: Firmware Update

Let me know if this works.
 

You have a good day ahead.

[Don1kP]

Thanks for the info but I had done this a few weeks back. This printer (4650) does not exibit the problem any longer. The problem, however, still occurs with my OffJet Pro L7590. Interestingly, printing duplex from my laptop (win10) does not have this problem. It only occurs when printing duplex from my desktop (also a Windows 10 machine). The only difference in these two machines is the way they are connected to the L7590. The desktop is directly connected with a USB cable. My laptop uses wi-fi to the router and the L7590 is connected to the network via ethernet cable.

[Dvortex · Accepted solution]

Hello, @Don1kP

If your printer is already connected to the network using an ethernet cable, you do not need to connect the USB cable from the printer to the PC. As long as the printer and the PC is connected to the same network, it should recognize each other and work well. 

Also, try the steps below:

• 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.
• Now, click http://hp.care/2qRLpbe to download and install the software.
• Connect the USB cable if prompted and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the installation.
• Restart the PC and check.
•  

I hope that answers your concern adequately. Let me know!

Cheers 🙂

Please click "Accepted as Solution" on the post that solves your issue to help others find the solution. To show appreciation for my help, please click the "Thumbs Up Icon" below!

[Don1kP]

I marked your post as a solution but I should mention a couple of things that happened and a couple of things I did in addition to your steps.

Anomaly #1: During the uninstall of all products associated with the L7590 the uninstall got about 3/4ths of the way through and then I got the message that "the program has stopped working" . After dismissing this screen I saw another screen behind the uninstall progress screen which said I needed to reboot to finish the uninstall. So there was another reboot before step 4 (running of the printui.exe utility). 

Anomaly #2: After all the cleanup before the reboot in your steps, I ran CCleaner and removed a series of invalid registry entries relating to imaging, etc. I figured this could not hurt.

Anomaly #3: I decided to connect the printer via the ethernet connection I already had to the printer and forgo the USB connection.

I am now able to print two sided documents without the bogus error message which said I did not have the duplexer installed. 

[Dvortex]

Hello, @Don1kP

Thanks for the update & Great stuff! Glad to know that you were able to fix the issue 🙂

Visit us again if you have any concerns!

Thank you again and may you have a wonderful day and even better tomorrow 🙂