Can I safely remove HP OfficeJet Pro 6970 fax device from device list

[Lord_Frodo]

Hello,

I have just purchased and set up a HP OfficeJet Pro 6970 printer. My PC runs Windows 10. However, I have no use for the fax part of the product:
a) Can I safely remove the HP OfficeJet Pro 6970 fax device from the Windows 10 device list without messing up the printer device?

b) Can someone remind me how I can have the 6970 printer listed twice in the device list? I like to have one printer name set up for black only duplex and the other as colour simplex - it saves going into printer options all the time.

Thanks a lot
Peter
UK

[Jeet_singh]

Hi @Lord_Frodo,

Thanks for engaging in HP support Forums! This is a wonderful location to converse with the community, get assistance and find tips! I understand you are having issues with your HP Printer. Don't worry as I have a few suggestions which should help you resolve this issue.

I would recommend a clean install of your printer as suggested 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://ftp.hp.com/pub/softlib/software13/printers/OJ6970/OJ6970_Full_WebPack_40.11.1148.exe  to download and install the software.

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!

I hope you have a good day ahead,

And Feel free to ask your queries as this forum has some of the best people in the world available and ready to help.

Regards,

[Lord_Frodo]

Good afternoon Geet,
Unfortunately, the information you provided wasn't related to my question  about safely removing the fax component devices of my 6970. 

On the basis that I could always re-install the software, I have removed the fax devices by typing 'Printers' into the Windows 10 start menu, selecting 'Printers & scanners', selecting the first fax device listed and selecting the 'Remove' option. I then repeated this for the 2nd fax device, with only the printer device remaining.

Deleting the fax devices has not affected the printer operation in any way that I can detect, so please close this support log.

Thanks.

[Jeet_singh]

Hi @Lord_Frodo,

Thank you for replying,

I'm glad to hear you were able to resolve the fax issue, the reason why I suggested clean install is, once you perform this step it will allow you to delete all the Icons and during the setup, you have an option to skip the fax wizard from being install. 

Regarding this question: Can someone remind me how I can have the 6970 printer listed twice in the device list? I would suggest you try to add the Windows Built-in drivers.

For more assistance, please follow this link: HP Printers - Installing and Using the Windows Built-in Print Driver

I hope this helps. Let me know if you need any further assistance. I'll be more than glad to help you.

Keep me posted,

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.

[Lord_Frodo]

Good afternoon Geet,
As the instructions to uninstall/re-install did not mention that this would allow me to skip installing the fax components, I assumed you'd sent me a generic reply like some other vendors, who often recommend re-installing Windows 10 - hardly a trivial task. Anyway, I achieved the desired result of removing the fax devices and have kept a copy of your instructions for future use.

With regard to my query about how to create duplicate printer devices so I could set them up with different properties, I had found a way to do this using the HP interface and driver. In case it helps others, here is how I did it:

Objective: To create duplicate HP 6970 print devices with different properties, so they can be selected from the print menu. This avoids going into the printer options to change from one-sided to two-sided, etc. For example, I have one printer named '6970 Colour 2-sides', another named '6970 Black one-side', etc.
Method for Windows 10:

a) Select the wireless icon ON THE HP 6970 PRINTER MENU and note the IP address of the printer.

b) Press the Windows Start key and when the menu opens, type 'Printers' and select 'Printer & Scanners system settings'

c) Above the list of printers and scanners, Select '+ Add a printer or scanner' (it then searches for printers and scanners)

d) Select 'My printer isn't listed' (even if your HP printer IS listed)

e) Select 'Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname' and press 'Next'

f)  Enter the IP address in the 'Hostname or IP address' box. The port name will be filled in automatically.

g) Leave the box ticked which says 'Query the printer and automatically select the driver to use'

h) Press 'Next' and the system will search for the printer and a screen appears.

i) Leave the selection as 'Use the driver that is currently installed (recommended)' and press 'Next'

j) Enter a suitable printer name to reflect how you will be setting its properties; e.g. '6790 Colour 2-sides'

k) Select  'Do not share this printer' (or you can share it if you wish)

l) You can set the printer as the default printer and print a test page if you wish; else just print 'Finish'

m) You will now see the list of printers again, plus the new printer name you added.

n) Select the new printer, Select 'Manage'; Select 'Printer preferences' and set the printer options you want - in the above example, leave it to print in colour, but select 'Two-sided (duplex) printing'; then press OK

.

I hope this helps someone.

[Jeet_singh · Accepted solution]

Hi @Lord_Frodo,

Thank you for replying,

Splendid effort and fabulous description of troubleshooting performed. Kudos to you on that score. You are a valued HP customer and it is paramount to assist you here. I take it as a privilege to share this platform with you.

You've been great to work with and it has been a genuine pleasure interacting with you.

I hope both you and your product works great and remain healthy for a long time 😉 

To simply say thanks for my efforts to assist you, please click the "Thumbs Up" button to give me a Kudos.
And mark my post as Accepted Solution to help others find a similar solution as you have.

Take care now and do have a fabulous week ahead. 🙂
Regards,