When trying to print from my HP PC on my HP 7600 printer, the mode goes to Fax instead of Print.

[esoldinger]

When trying to print from my HP PC on my HP 7600 printer, the mode goes to Fax instead of Print.  This suddenly popped up today as an issue that stops me from printing.  How can I eliminate this wrong signal/issue?

[Dragon-Fur]

@esoldinger 

Welcome to the HP Community --

Depending on your printer model, the full driver printer software might install more than one "device" or Print Queue that can be used to send jobs to the printer.  This is normal.

Example - Windows 11

Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > list of printers / queues

Settings_Bluetooth-Devices_Printers_and_Scanners_Printer_4

The "Fax" driver, if such exists, can be useful in the context of opening a document on your computer and then using the "Fax" driver to send that document to the Fax Recipient.

A Fax driver is useless for printing, of course.

The solution lies in finding out why a job submission is pointing at the Fax and then correcting the setup.

The issue might be the result of one or more of the following reasons --

1. The full driver printer software is in some way damaged > Uninstall / Reinstall the full driver printer software
2. The Default Printer is not set correctly > Correct the setting for the Default Printer
3. The "Driver" in Printer Properties is not set correctly > Correct the setting in Printer Properties
4. The "Printer" in your job configuration is pointing to the Fax driver instead of the printer > Correct the "Printer" select in the application / job setup 

Start by selecting a Printer model to be used in this answer --

Printer might be one of several different "HP 7600" printers.

Selected  HP Smart Tank 7600 series  for this answer

Next - Examples / Solutions #1 through #4

Details / Examples

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1) Printer Software - Full Driver

Reinstall the full driver printer software

• Check / Install any pending Windows Updates 
• If not done as part of Windows Updates, Restart your computer 

Next,

Uninstall existing printer software

• Uninstall existing full driver printer software from Programs and Features.
• If your printer software includes a separate "help" in Programs and Features, uninstall that, too.
• Restart the computer and log in.

Install full driver printer software

• If the printer is connected to the computer using a printer USB cable, remove / disconnect the cable before loading the software.

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

HP Easy Start Printer Setup Software – Offline Use Only 

Download, Save, and Install

• If using a USB cable to connect the printer to your computer, connect the cable when instructed to do so (near the end of the software installation process.

After the software is installed, Restart the computer and log in

Ask if you want / need additional help / examples.

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2)  Check / Correct the printer as the “Default Printer”

Windows 11

Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers and scanners

Scroll down > 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

Default_Printer_Check_and_Manage_3

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3) Printer Properties - Windows

Example - Windows - with Full driver printer software installed -

Printer Properties > Tab Advanced > Driver = HP driver and not the IPP / Microsoft driver

Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners

Select your installed printer from the list

Select Printer Properties

Open Tab Advanced

In the Driver section, verify / adjust to the HP driver

Example - Windows - Printer Properties > Advanced > Driver

Driver selection / Keep Printed Documents (Reprint)

Printer_Properties_Reprint_10

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4)  Job Configuration

Each print job includes the "Printer", that is, the device or print queue you will use to print the output onto paper.

The "Printer" selection must be appropriate for the current job.

Example - HP Smart - Windows - Simple PDF Print

Print menu - Printer selection list - Select the Printer and not the "Fax"

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Message Content References

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

 Select a saved product from HP Account Dashboard

OR

HP Smart Tank Printers

• HP Smart Tank 7600r series
• HP Smart Tank 7600 series

HP ENVY Printers

• HP ENVY 7640 e-All-in-One Printer
• HP ENVY 7643 e-All-in-One Printer
• HP ENVY 7644 e-All-in-One Printer
• HP ENVY 7645 e-All-in-One Printer

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