HP Smart App, R U Sure it is smart?

[DelpyIrvineCA]

Hello All, 

I use my HP Printer in two different locations, same exact printers.  I have an account for my home and one for work because INK can only be shipped to the address that your account is set up.   I am having a very difficult time with the HP Smart app.  First of all, I have to login to a different account depending on where I work.  Second, If I forget to do so, it does not recognize my other printer.  HP Smart in my opinion is not so smart, it is one of the slowest app I have ever worked with.

[Dragon-Fur]

@DelpyIrvineCA 

Welcome to the HP Community --

---

@DelpyIrvineCA wrote:

Product: HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e All-in-One Printer

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 11

Hello All, 

I use my HP Printer in two different locations, same exact printers.  I have an account for my home and one for work because INK can only be shipped to the address that your account is set up.   I am having a very difficult time with the HP Smart app.  First of all, I have to login to a different account depending on where I work.  Second, If I forget to do so, it does not recognize my other printer.  HP Smart in my opinion is not so smart, it is one of the slowest app I have ever worked with.

---

HP Smart -- and its replacement the HP App -- are offered, presumably easy to install and use, but not strictly mandatory.

True -- Both applications require that you sign in using your HP Account credentials.

True -- Not everyone is a fan -- You might like HP App more or perhaps even less than HP Smart.  For example, HP App startup can be slow, perhaps 5 to 10 seconds to fully select and completely open the printer.  No, we cannot do anything about it.  Yes, it can be irritating. 

Worse -- HP Smart has its own bug  🐛   -- if the "Offset Scan Bug" has not shown up, it might not do so.  Just know it is "there", lurking and waiting to strike.

An explanation of HP App, including how-to videos, and an example, are included later in this message.

-- What to do? --

You will need "something" to use the printer, of course -- perhaps (if you can install it) use the full driver printer software.

The full driver does not require sign-in and includes HP Scan.

==========================

Printer Software - Full Driver

Open

 Software and Drivers for HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e All-in-One Printer 

Set / Adjust the Operating System / version to Windows / Windows 11

The full driver is available in the "EasyStart" wrappers.

Use the one that works --

Web Pack Installation - Open Web Page - Full Driver Printer Software

Wrapper Method -- Internet connection required 

Download and install (run the exe)

HP Easy Start Printer Setup Software (Internet connection required for driver installation)

Restart the computer after the software is installed.

OR

→ Hints →  The "Offline Use Only" installation can be used for a network connected or a USB connected environment. 

Be sure to unplug the USB cable between the printer and the computer before loading the software.  Re-connect the USB cable when instructed to do so, generally near the end of the successful installation of the printer software. 

Web Pack Installation - Open Web Page - Full Driver Printer Software

HP OfficeJet Pro 8120 series EasyStart Printer Setup Software - Offline Use Only 

Restart the computer after the software is installed.

Not a fan of the full driver?

Consider this nice driver --

HP Smart Universal Printing Driver for Windows V4 (64-bit)

HP Smart Universal Printing Driver - User Guide

Example - HP Smart Universal Driver

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Next,

Regardless of whether you use HP App, the full driver, or the HP Smart Universal Driver (and Windows Scan), you need a way to keep Windows from stomping on your default printer and the default driver assignments.

The following is offered FYI -- Ignore if you dislike, do not want, or do not need the information.

=========================

Windows - Default Printer

Preparation > Check / enable the printer as the “Default Printer”

Windows 11

Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers and scanners

Scroll down to section Printer preferences

Windows protected mode = "Set up"  (equals "not configured")

Default install printers using Windows Ready Print = OFF

and

Switch OFF Let Windows manage my default printer

Scroll up > Select (Left-Click) your printer from the list of printers > Set as Default

Windows 10

Settings > Devices > Printers and scanners

UNCHECK (clear box) Let Windows manage my default printer

Select (Left-Click) your printer from the list of printers > Manage > Set as Default

=================================

 -- Windows -- Printer Properties

Windows 10

Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers

Right-Click on Printer > Printer Properties > Tab Advanced

Windows 11

Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Select Printer

Printer Properties > Tab Advanced

• Driver:  Select the HP driver as opposed to the Microsoft / IPP class driver
• Reprint later:  Select Keep all documents
• All Jobs Default:  Printing Defaults

-- Example - Printer Properties -- Driver / Printing Defaults --

① → Driver 

② → Optional - Printing Defaults

=================================

HP Smart Bug -- Comments -- Solution

 The weird "offset" issue is result of a rapidly spreading bug in HP Smart.

There are screenshot examples in various posts in the Community.

         ------- For those reading -------

There is a reported Bug in the HP Smart application (Windows).

           The problem has been reported to HP.

         ----------------------------------

Proposed Solution

-- Recommended -- One and more of the following --

• Upgrade to the HP App (Introduction and information is provided later in this message).  HP App is the replacement for HP Smart.
• ⇶  At the least -- Install the HP App as a means to kick the "Smart" bug to the side.  That means, Install the HP App > Restart the computer > Try using HP Smart and see if the mere act of installing its replacement (HP App) "fixes" the bug in HP Smart.  Sounds silly, but some folks report that this is enough if you want to keep using the old HP Smart application.

AND / OR

• Use HP Scan (part of your full driver printer software)
• → Model and Operating System Dependent →  Install / Use the HP Universal Scan Software (available as a separate download / install) on the drivers webpage
• Use Windows Scan until you decide / find a solution that suits your needs

                      -- Start --

-- Details / Examples  / Troubleshooting --

HP is a wrapper that combines a Devices menu similar to HP Support Assistant with the features and options in the HP Smart application.

The HP App can be found by opening the store: Microsoft Store 

Look for the HP App under the single name "HP" 

Make sure your choice is sourced from HP, Inc.

Consider upgrading to the HP App and perhaps abandoning HP Smart --

The HP App is the replacement for HP Smart.

-- What about HP App? --

At some point, perhaps even now, HP Smart will no longer be available in the  Microsoft Store  .

There are at least two possible consequences to this:

• Were there a version fix for the reported HP Smart "Scan - Save - Off-Center" bug, it can be more difficult to actually obtain a fixed version of the HP Smart app.
• Any constant request to update HP Smart is perhaps because the app cannot be updated through the conventional means.   There are caveats to that comment, none of which matter in context.

-- Watch – HP App – Introduction --

 HP Support Videos – HP App - What happened to HP Smart? | Use the new HP app 

 10 chapters

 Expand the area that describes the application – read the first sentences and click “More”

 Samples

 Print, Scan, Fax, Save – Minute 1:15

 Account Information and Print Dashboard – Minute 1:30

 Get Help – Minute 2:02

 Select “Use AI Search” – Minute 2:08

 EWS (Embedded Web Server) – Minute 2:21 > Printer Settings > View all > Advanced (opens EWS)

 Reminders

• If asked enter the printer’s PIN number – The default PIN might be located on the back or inside the printer (ink access area).

 And

• “Advanced” / EWS can also be opened using your Browser:   Open your Browser > Type / enter the Printer IP address into URL / Address bar

And

 HP Support Videos – HP App - Scan using the HP App | HP printers | HP Support

And

 HP Support Videos – HP App - Fix unavailable features in the HP app | HP printers | HP Support

⇶  HP Support Videos – HP App - Fix a “Scanning Unavailable” error in the HP app | HP printers | HP Sup...

Example - HP App - Main Menu / Printer Menu & Options

Example - HP App - Windows - Scan Photo and Save

===================================

Message Content References

-- Take advantage of the extensive HP Video collection --

                                            ↓↓↓↓↓↓↓

Technology Tips - Video Gallery from our HP Expert greenturtle

 Technology Tips– YouTube Video Help for Printers

 HP Support Official Channel – HP Support Video Gallery

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References / Resources

HP Printer Home Page - References and Resources

Learn about your Printer - Solve Problems

“Things that are your printer”

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

NOTE: Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories: Warranty Check, Alerts, Troubleshooting, Ink & Paper, HP Software & Drivers / Firmware Updates, Setup & User Guides, Product Specifications, Account & Registration, Warranty & Repair

Open 

 Product Home - Printers

 Enter the device type and model name of your HP product

OR

  HP OfficeJet Pro 8125e All-in-One Printer 

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