Printer install fails from Win10 PC (Printer on Win11 connected via USB)

prairiezabiak · May 1, 2024

Have HP OfficeJet Pro 8720. Printer works fine on Win11 23H2, I cannot connect from Win10 22H2 to this printer. Network sharing is ON. I can see other PCs on the Network. I can even see the Printer on the Network on Win10 under Win11 PC - it shows there. BUT it fails with error
"Windows could not connect to the printer. Check the printer name and try again. If this is a network printer, make sure that the printer is turned on and that the printer address is correct."
The printer is ON. I also tried HPEasyStart_16_5_6 - did not work. The error is different - "Printer not found".
I have Norton turned off. I have modified SMBs (as suggested on another posting). MS support can not help, said to contact HP. HP will not help-the printer is too old.
(BTW - when this printer was on a Win7 PC I could connect from another Win7, Win8.1 and Win10 no problem.
Saw your posting about FDResPub Service - would this change help?
Any ideas? spent hours to try to get this working
TIA

RD Mercer · May 1, 2024

I used to buy HP printers, but I had so many problems with connecting to just my PC at times, I gave up on HP, and bought me a Brother, it's been flawless.

antspants · May 1, 2024

Hi prairiezabiak, welcome to the ElevenForums

I’ll ask the easy questions and leave the tough ones for others. I take it the drivers are installed on the Windows 10 machine and in the Network you enabled printer sharing. You read like you know what you’re doing but I thought I’d ask anyway. Have a look in Optional Updates in Windows 10, see if there is another driver listed.

RD Mercer said:
I used to buy HP printers, but I had so many problems with connecting to just my PC at times, I gave up on HP, and bought me a Brother, it's been flawless.

Brother, great printers (especially the lasers)

Berton · May 1, 2024

I have 2 HP Printers on my LAN, OfficeJet Pro 9015 and LaserJet M148, both connected to the Router via Ethernet cable. This listing shows the 8720 has the same capability:
https://support.hp.com/us-en/produc...et-pro-8720-all-in-one-printer-series/7902032

I can install the printers on any computer accessing the LAN whether Wired or Wireless/Wi-Fi. Most times on Windows 10/11 and Linux they are automatically recognized and get basic drivers.

prairiezabiak · May 2, 2024

Well, as you know I am new to this, or any support forum. Not up on the modern "likes", etc. - from old school since before PCs. But sometimes you can teach an old dog. So, bear with me, I'll reply to all postings here
Thanks for all replies/comments/suggestions.
. I've using HP printers for over 20 years - no problem with printers themselves.
. this printer does not have Ethernet (RJ?) connector, only USB or one can go wireless.
. using it for 7 years without any issues while hosted on Win 7; serving another Win 7, Win 10 and occasional Win 8.1 tablet
. did not install driver on Win 10 directly as when trying to install Network printer it automatically starts searching on the network
. so I do not believe this to be printer problem per-see, but rather Win 11 issue
. I will try couple of things and see where that gets me
Thanks again
-what is a BB code?

johnlgalt · May 2, 2024

prairiezabiak said:
this printer does not have Ethernet (RJ?) connector, only USB or one can go wireless.

If you have Wi-Fi where you are at, consider going that route. It takes the burden off having the Windows 11 machine always having to be on to use it from the Windows 10 machine.

prairiezabiak said:
did not install driver on Win 10 directly as when trying to install Network printer it automatically starts searching on the network

I suspect that this is similar to an ongoing issue many people have described elsewhere in the forums, where older versions of Windows cannot see Windows 11 computers, and / or Windows 11 cannot see other versions of Windows on other computers.

Network sharing in Windows, when it works, is decent, but there are quite literally tons of reports where it fails - or works for some time and then abruptly stops working. This is why I suggest going the Wi-Fi route above.

prairiezabiak said:
what is a BB code?

BBCode is a markup language used (primarily) in forum software, like the software used here at ElevenForum. It is a specialized version of markup that llows for things like italics, boldface, and things like automatic formatting of lists:

item 1
item 2
items 3 and 3.1
item4

MisterEd · May 2, 2024

Start with connecting the printer to your router with WiFi using the WPS setup. That is the easiest way to do it.

Install the following driver from HP on each computer:
HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 All-in-One Printer series Basic Driver - IT Professional Use only

=================================================
My last two HP printers were:

HP Photosmart 6510 e-All-in-One (2012-2018)
HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 (2018-present)

I connected the printer using WiFi to my router using WPS. I only installed the "Basic Printer Driver" from HP on each computer. That is all I ever needed.

This is what I see if I show connected devices on my router. The HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 is shown as its model number HPC6A77A.

johnlgalt · May 2, 2024

Does this basic Printer driver allow for the other functions of the AIO to also work?

@prairiezabiak - are you only trying to print, or also use functions like scanning, etc?

dacrone · May 2, 2024

How are you connecting to it:
Browsing to network devices and double clicking it?

Manually installing via tcpip/hostname?

If the former, try the latter and add it via the shared name. You can then select install options from a drop-down. Choose “generic”

MisterEd · May 2, 2024

johnlgalt said:
Does this basic Printer driver allow for the other functions of the AIO to also work?

@prairiezabiak - are you only trying to print, or also use functions like scanning, etc?

The basic driver installs the HP Printer Assistant app. You can access it from an icon it installs on the desktop.

When you double-click on the icon it brings up the HP Printer Assistant app. You can Print, Scan, Fax, or run printer diagnostics Tools.

2024-05-02 17_12_21-HP OfficeJet Pro 6970 PCL-3 (Network) _ HP Printer Assistant.jpg

This is the menu shown if you select Scan.

2024-05-02 17_16_16-HP Scan - HP OfficeJet Pro 6970 (NET).jpg

prairiezabiak · May 3, 2024

johnlgalt said:
If you have Wi-Fi where you are at, consider going that route. It takes the burden off having the Windows 11 machine always having to be on to use it from the Windows 10 machine.

I suspect that this is similar to an ongoing issue many people have described elsewhere in the forums, where older versions of Windows cannot see Windows 11 computers, and / or Windows 11 cannot see other versions of Windows on other computers.

Network sharing in Windows, when it works, is decent, but there are quite literally tons of reports where it fails - or works for some time and then abruptly stops working. This is why I suggest going the Wi-Fi route above.

BBCode is a markup language used (primarily) in forum software, like the software used here at ElevenForum. It is a specialized version of markup that llows for things like italics, boldface, and things like automatic formatting of lists:

item 1

item 2

items 3 and 3.1

item4

Yes, I do have WI-FI but so far did stay away from it, for most part. Not sure if true-probably not, but do not want more RF floating around, don't even have cell phones. My older PC may not have WI-FI on it. I did think about it but we use this printer also for a lot of scanning and I am not sure how that would work via WI-FI. I'd have to test it. Also considering enabling FAX on this for occasional FAX.

prairiezabiak · May 3, 2024

MisterEd said:
Start with connecting the printer to your router with WiFi using the WPS setup. That is the easiest way to do it.

Install the following driver from HP on each computer:
HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 All-in-One Printer series Basic Driver - IT Professional Use only

=================================================
My last two HP printers were:

HP Photosmart 6510 e-All-in-One (2012-2018)

HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 (2018-present)

I connected the printer using WiFi to my router using WPS. I only installed the "Basic Printer Driver" from HP on each computer. That is all I ever needed.

This is what I see if I show connected devices on my router. The HP OfficeJet Pro 6975 is shown as its model number HPC6A77A.

View attachment 95066

I most likely need "...Full_Webpack..." since we do scanning (and future FAX) Our PCs are always ON so that was never a problem having them ON. Have to test it. Thanks

prairiezabiak · May 3, 2024

dacrone said:
How are you connecting to it:
Browsing to network devices and double clicking it?

Manually installing via tcpip/hostname?

If the former, try the latter and add it via the shared name. You can then select install options from a drop-down. Choose “generic”

I tried both ways. NOT with TCPIP in cas eI have to switch my router/Ethernet connections. But via hostname "\\hostaname\..." and double clicking. As I said, my Win 10 shows the printer under the Win 11 it just will not connect.

prairiezabiak · May 3, 2024

MisterEd said:
The basic driver installs the HP Printer Assistant app. You can access it from an icon it installs on the desktop.

View attachment 95074

When you double-click on the icon it brings up the HP Printer Assistant app. You can Print, Scan, Fax, or run printer diagnostics Tools.

View attachment 95075

This is the menu shown if you select Scan.

View attachment 95076

As mentioned above, I need Full access for scanning and possible FAX. No problem there I already have the software on Win 11 all I have to do is install on other PCs. I was hoping NOT to do that - extra bulky software on Win 10 and older Win 7 and occasional Win 8.1 tablet. This seems like a such basic network problem - how could Microsoft screw it up so much. Thanks for the suggestions.

MisterEd · May 3, 2024

prairiezabiak said:
I most likely need "...Full_Webpack..." since we do scanning (and future FAX) Our PCs are always ON so that was never a problem having them ON. Have to test it. Thanks

The Full Webpack only adds optional software. I always unchecked these and didn't install these anyways. Why install this when the Basic Webpack contains everything you need to print/scan/fax?

dacrone · May 3, 2024

When you connected via hostname, what driver did you choose from the drop-down?

Winuser · May 4, 2024

prairiezabiak said:
I tried both ways. NOT with TCPIP in cas eI have to switch my router/Ethernet connections. But via hostname "\\hostaname\..." and double clicking. As I said, my Win 10 shows the printer under the Win 11 it just will not connect.

When I'm setting up a printer I always use the settings menu on the printer to connect the printer to my router if the option is available. If this is the correct manual for your printer scroll down to page 100 and follow the directions. Basically what it does is it finds your Wi-Fi router so that you can enter the passphrase of the router so it can connect to the network of the router and not to a computer. By setting up my printers this way I can access my printers from all of my devices connected to my local Wi-Fi. https://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c05050200.pdf

Edit: If you want to jump to page 100 in the PDF type in 110 instead of 100. I found out that the first 10 pages are included even though their not numbered.

johnlgalt · May 4, 2024

prairiezabiak said:
Yes, I do have WI-FI but so far did stay away from it, for most part. Not sure if true-probably not, but do not want more RF floating around, don't even have cell phones. My older PC may not have WI-FI on it. I did think about it but we use this printer also for a lot of scanning and I am not sure how that would work via WI-FI. I'd have to test it. Also considering enabling FAX on this for occasional FAX.

The printer will connect to your network via Wi-Fi - but other devices can then connect to the printer via Wi-Fi OR wired. The connection is made via the network, and works over both wired and wireless.

I'm doing the same just in reverse - I have a printer on my network by wired connecting, through a switch, and have laptops on wireless that are able to print effortlessly. Laptops include a Windows 11 laptop, Windows 10 laptop, and an older laptop I've put ChromeOS (Flex) on. Additionally, as I do have a cellphone, I can print directly to the printer from that over Wi-Fi as well.

HTH

MisterEd · May 4, 2024

Winuser said:
When I'm setting up a printer I always use the settings menu on the printer to connect the printer to my router if the option is available. If this is the correct manual for your printer scroll down to page 100 and follow the directions. Basically what it does is it finds your Wi-Fi router so that you can enter the passphrase of the router so it can connect to the network of the router and not to a computer. By setting up my printers this way I can access my printers from all of my devices connected to my local Wi-Fi. https://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c05050200.pdf

Edit: If you want to jump to page 100 in the PDF type in 110 instead of 100. I found out that the first 10 pages are included even though their not numbered.

This will work but I recommend that the OP try this instead:
It is even easier if the you use Wi-Fi Protected Setup as mentioned on page 101 in the manual. Once you select that you immediately go over to your router and press the button on it to start Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) on it. Many routers will flash a light when in WPS mode. Then within a minute the printer should automatically be connected to the router. Make a note of the IP address and Host Name shown on the printer's control panel.

Once the printer is connected to the router you install the printer software on each computer. The setup software should automatically find the printer. If not then you can enter its IP address or Host Name that were assigned to the printer.

Winuser · May 4, 2024

MisterEd said:
It is even easier if you use Wi-Fi Protected Setup as mentioned on page 101 in the manual. Once you select that you immediately go over to your router and press the button on it to start Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) on it.

Why are you telling me? I don't own the printer so I didn't actually read the manual. As a favor for the OP I found the manual online and skimmed through it until I found the W-Fi setup page.