changing wi fi settings created new printer

[mrg553]

I have windows 7 pro 64 bit.

I have an HP all in one printer 3050A that i use wi fi.

I have changed my wi  fi password a number of times over the year. It seemed for a while when I used the CD to update the wi fi, it created a new printer, rather than change the wi fi password. It created a problem in that then, the printer would sometimes not work and I'd have to look at the drop down box and then choose the one that was online.

I did not realize this was strange. There should not be two printers created, and I am wondering what would cause that.

Now, I have had to change the wi fi three times and I use the CD like usual, and it just changes the wi if, does NOT create a new printer.

I am curious, what wojuld cause a second printer to be created? Is is possible, someone set up a printer, and used my ip address? What would happen is, the documents that woudl not print -- that would go to the wrong printer -- would stay in the printer, until i found them and deleted them. I never realized that. I am concerned about who might have had access to those documents, if that would be at all possible.

And why it happened in the first place.

One day I just got disgusted and deleted the printer that was "offline' plus, I got rid of this pdf complete, which was in with my printer file, and when opened, it would open a window to my documents.

That, also, I never understood, to have somethign like that. I got rid of it.

thanks for any insight. I am just wondering about it. 

[Chimney_83 · Accepted solution]

Greetings @mrg553,

Thanks for the post. 

I understand that you are unable to reconfigure your printer and the printer is listed multiple times in devices and printers. 

Not to worry, I will be glad to assist you. 

Kudos to you for trying to troubleshoot the issue on your own.

Are you able to make a copy on the printer?

Every time you run the disc, a new printer will be created in devices and printers. 

To overcome the issue, recommend you follow the procedure mentioned below to uninstall the printer software and settings completely. 

Restart your computer and reinstall the printer software by downloading the full feature software from www.hp.com/drivers

Uninstall the printer from "programs and features" which can be accessed from the Control panel.

(Please have the printer Off and disconnected during uninstallation.)

Check in device manager, if the printer is listed there, please delete it. (From control panel you can access device manager)

Go to devices and printers, select any printer listed there and you will get some options on the top. 

Click on print server properties. 

You will get a popup, click on the drivers tab and delete all the HP printer drivers listed there, if any.

Delete all the instances of your printer listed in devices and printers.

Restart the PC.

Once the PC is on the desktop, press Win + R, it would bring a Run dialog box, 

Type %temp% in the run box and click Ok or hit the Enter button.

It would bring up the temporary files folder. Delete the files in the folder (You might not be able to delete all the files, ignore them).

If possible, delete the printer from the registries using Regedit or using any other 3rd party application.

Restart the PC again. 

Download the latest full feature driver from www.hp.com/drivers and install it on the computer.

Connect/power on the printer to your computer only when the setup prompts for the printer. 

Follow this procedure every time you change the password on your router. 

Let me know if this helped. 

[mrg553]

Hi thanks for responding.

 I have done that, gone into programs and completely uninstalled. It is the cleanest way.

But it does say when I put in the CD that I ought to be able to just change the ip address. But, you are right, best be safe and get rid of all the old. I was much better off when I did go in and delete the printer icon that was not working.

It was really weird to me to see all the documents that did not print, in the queue, and I wonder if someone were to try to, if they could print them in their printer. Or if they had a document, if they could direct it online to my printer to be printed, in my house.

 I do not have a businss and have no need for specialities like that, and the next notebook I get I am going to make sure the OS is designated for home use.

I also asked about this in a post I just did -- among a number of printing topics -- i saw a few times someone's printer listed in the ssdi list, along with the wi fi signals. It was nto mine, but somehow someone installed a printer and it shows up in the ssdi, just curious what that means, how that happened.

Could all wi fi printers do that? If they are used on a network involving pinters in different houses.

[Chimney_83]

Thanks for the reply and glad that the issue is resolved. If anyone else has a wireless printer, their printer's SSID will be available for you as well. However, if you are not on the same network, you will not be able to configure it. Hope this helps. 

Please do post your technical queries on our Forums for assistance.