HP Inkjet Printer. Help uninstalling old one and re installing a new one

MisterEd · Dec 14, 2023

SlicEnDicE said:
If the Printer is not connected anywhere yet? I doubt that...how the heck will the computer find the printer and configure it to connect to the WiFi router?

I am talking about a true wireless printer setup.

You are right. With a wireless printer I have to first connect it to the router. After that is done the setup is the same.

I have had HP printers for maybe 30 years. My first HP printer was an HP DeskJet 500 which I probably bought around 1992. Currently (2018) I have an HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 All-In-One. Previously (2012) I had an HP Photosmart 6510 e-All-in-One. Both of these printers are wireless.

I just do it the old fashioned way:
1. Go to the printer front panel and under wireless settings select WPS
2. Go to router and start WPS (light starts flashing)
3. In about 30 seconds the printer is automatically connected to the router.
4. Go to computer and start the printer driver (full or basic) setup program
5. During the setup when it finds my printer I select it
6. Continue until done

Note during the setup it tries to install HP Smart app. I always abort that since it is just a ruse for HP to try to convince me to buy an HP ink subscription.

polli · Dec 14, 2023

SlicEnDicE said:
If you have WiFi and BT in your computer, you only have to turn on the printer, grab the Smart app for Windows, install it and follow the instructions. Easy steps 1, 2, 3 ->done. (as long as you read what the app says and choose right options)

Sounds simple, but am sure I can get it wrong. Printer is coming next week so fingers crossed.
I have found nothing to do with computers is easy
Still lost Documents folder when tried to move it. But computer copes as do we all lol

MisterEd · Dec 14, 2023

polli said:
Still lost Documents folder when tried to move it. But computer copes as do we all lol

Did you move it the proper way using the Documents Properties' Location tab?

2023-12-14 13_04_01-Documents Properties.jpg

polli · Dec 14, 2023

Actually accidentally no.

Anak · Dec 14, 2023

polli said:
Still lost Documents folder when tried to move it. But computer copes as do we all lol

Did you try a search for it?

Sometimes my essential tremors has me lighten my pressure on the left button of the mouse when I'm draggin' whatever folder or file and it drops into a folder that I didn't want, if I see where it went it's no problem I just find it and move it to where I want but if I don't I do a search for it and then move it. That's why the computer copes it keeps track of where it went.

~~I believe you could try by using the search term Documents .~~
This statement is in error, there must be a different way to find misplaced system folders that I'm unaware of, for that I apologize.

SlicEnDicE · Dec 15, 2023

MisterEd said:
You are right. With a wireless printer I have to first connect it to the router. After that is done the setup is the same.

Ok, great so we agree.

MisterEd said:
I just do it the old fashioned way:
1. Go to the printer front panel and under wireless settings select WPS
2. Go to router and start WPS (light starts flashing)
3. In about 30 seconds the printer is automatically connected to the router.
4. Go to computer and start the printer driver (full or basic) setup program
5. During the setup when it finds my printer I select it
6. Continue until done

If the printer has a WPS function and also the router has one, then this is easy, yes. Also if it is a Pro model, it is possible to connect to WiFi by manually picking correct SSID, enter credentials and you are done. But I doubt OPs printer is capable of the latter. WPS it may have, but we know nothing about the router.

MisterEd said:
Note during the setup it tries to install HP Smart app. I always abort that since it is just a ruse for HP to try to convince me to buy an HP ink subscription.

Yeah, that is an option too. But the app helps you a lot setting things up, so I recommend it for those who are a bit less confident installing new devices.

Now we just have to wait for the OPs new printer to arrive, and we will figure all this out together.

polli · Dec 15, 2023

So am I right here..sorry finding it hard

so many helpful replies

1
. I first Uninstall all links to old printer including save as pdf . From Computer and HP Smart App on my phone

2. I go to HP and download the software. And install it..

3. I put the Printer in the cupboard and switch it on?

4. It finds the WiFi (How do I add the password to it?) Check it shows in Printer on my Computer.

5. I try to print a document.

6. Usually I curse then as get 15 copies lol

16. I add Printer to HP Smart on my phone & Tablet.

17. Do I add HP Smart to pc also?

SlicEnDicE · Dec 15, 2023

polli said:
So am I right here..sorry finding it hard so many helpful replies
1
. I first Uninstall all links to old printer including save as pdf . From Computer and HP Smart App on my phone

2. I go to HP and download the software. And install it..

3. I put the Printer in the cupboard and switch it on?

4. It finds the WiFi (How do I add the password to it?) Check it shows in Printer on my Computer.

5. I try to print a document.

6. Usually I curse then as get 15 copies lol

16. I add Printer to HP Smart on my phone & Tablet.

17. Do I add HP Smart to pc also?

It should be this easy:

1. Uninstall all printer drivers except Microsoft XPS and PDF printers. Should be 3 drivers on your PC.

2. Install HP Smart on PC (assumes you have WiFi and BT on it)

3. Power on printer if it isn't on already

4. Follow instructions on Smart app

5. The app should find your printer, add it to WiFi and install all drivers and software required.

6. Start printing

7. Add Smart app to your phones and tablets too, but this time choose the option (my printer is already setup)

8. Enjoy mobile printing

Helmut · Dec 15, 2023

As has been said it does not matter whether the PC/Laptop has Ethernet or Wireless connection to the Router/WAP.

You have to decide on Network or WiFi Direct during the installation. In my view Network is the preferred logical method with a number of devices using the Printer.

In my case 1 Laptop is Wireless 5 GHz, the other Ethernet, and the Printer wireless 2.4 GHz, no problem, that is the purpose of the Router/WAP to route devices in your Network.
The Printer has never been wired, the Wireless network passphrase was just entered via the panel on the printer.
On some printers where the passphrase cannot be entered you may have to send wireless info via a temporary USB cable.

HP Smart App is in the MS Store, simple just install it. Available for most major OS.

You do not need a smartphone with a PC/Laptop Ethernet/Wireless to install the driver.

That is why you follow manufacturers instructions.

polli · Dec 15, 2023

SlicEnDicE said:
It should be this easy:

1. Uninstall all printer drivers except Microsoft XPS and PDF printers. Should be 3 drivers on your PC.

2. Install HP Smart on PC (assumes you have WiFi and BT on it)

3. Power on printer if it isn't on already

4. Follow instructions on Smart app

5. The app should find your printer, add it to WiFi and install all drivers and software required.

6. Start printing

7. Add Smart app to your phones and tablets too, but this time choose the option (my printer is already setup)

8. Enjoy mobile printing

That sounds like something I can manage...hopefully. But I save a lot of documents to pdf too so won't I need the pdf printer?
What about let windows manage my printer? Do I ignore that?

SlicEnDicE · Dec 15, 2023

Helmut said:
The Printer has never been wired, the Wireless network passphrase was just entered via the panel on the printer.

Not all printers support this method of authenticating to the wireless network.

Please read what the OP has and has not and stop confusing with irrelevant information until they've got their particular setup working.

SlicEnDicE · Dec 15, 2023

polli said:
That sounds like something I can manage...hopefully. But I save a lot of documents to pdf too so won't I need the pdf printer?
What about let windows manage my printer? Do I ignore that?

Yes you can do this. We believe in you.

Don't delete the PDF printer driver as it can be useful if you want to print something to a file. You never know when you need it so leave it be.

Yes let Windows manage your printer. You can ignore it completely at this point.

SlicEnDicE · Dec 15, 2023

SlicEnDicE said:
Don't delete the PDF printer driver as it can be useful if you want to print something to a file. You never know when you need it so leave it be.

I quote myself...

Example where the above can be useful. For instance, you have to write a document and then send it to some customer or agency. You never want to send them the original document you wrote, but rather a PDF file which can't be edited anymore, so the data stays intact.

This is where the PDF printer is very useful

polli · Dec 15, 2023

SlicEnDicE said:
Yes you can do this. We believe in you.

Don't delete the PDF printer driver as it can be useful if you want to print something to a file. You never know when you need it so leave it be.

Yes let Windows manage your printer. You can ignore it completely at this point.

Thanks for believing in me

Anak · Dec 16, 2023

Saw this on 10F, not sure if will cause a problem or not:

Brink;2592847 said:
UPDATE 12/16:
New resolved issue. See first post for more details.

Printer names and icons might be changed and HP Smart app automatically installs
Devices which do not have access to the Microsoft Store are not expected to be affected by this issue.

From Brinks first post over on 10F:

Resolved issues

Summary Originating update Status Last updated
Printer names and icons might be changed and HP Smart app automatically installs
Devices which do not have access to the Microsoft Store are not expected to be affected by this issue.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...2-70f2044ce6a1 N/A Resolved 2023-12-16
09:42 PT

Wynona · Dec 17, 2023

polli said:
Buying HP DeskJet 2820e Wireless All-In-One Printer.
Just wanted a simple one for occasionally printing.
This one looks OK.
It's just I have had many printers over the years but never uninstallled and installed them myself.
I think the display is quite small similar to my old one.
It will be WiFi not wired to the computer.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/printer-setup

Just follow the link above and you should be OK.

It depends on the particular printer whether you'll need to use the USB cable to set it up.

Personally, I only use Brother printers, since the ink and/or toner is cheaper and they're more reliable and easier to set up. If you prefer HPs, that's fine. Everyone has a preference.

As far as the old printer, leave it installed . . . you may need to use it. I have both a Brother Laser Printer and a Brother inkjet printer. At times I am printing with both of them at the same time.

Whether you uninstall, or leave the old printer installed, your new printer won't be affected.

polli · Dec 17, 2023

Thanks for all the advice. Just hoping when the printer comes this week I can get it to work. Going to try with HP Smart from PC.
As when it stops printing the only time it will work is from HP Smart on my phone...but was printing 15 copies! Or blank pages. Just want to start afresh and proove I can do it!