Cannot print while using USB printer

Question

Hi All,

Have you ever experienced the issue of not being able to print to a printer that uses a USB connection.

1. When the PC is off and the printer is on, when I turn on the PC I can't immediately use the printer unless I restart it.
2. When my printer is turned off and the PC is still on, I have to restart the PC to be able to print documents.
3. When both are still on after restarting, I won't have any problems (so I only need to restart the pc once every time the printer is turned off)
4. I've tried to restart the print spooler but still can't print.
5. There are no errors when printing, only jobs in the print queue remain in printing status.

note : printer driver is up to date

Any ideas where I should check? I'm using windows 10 21h1

Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

HP has HP Print and Scan doctor on the model's Downloads page under utilties, which you can run to sort it out.

Otherwise download and install the manufacturer's full software package, not just the driver.

Report back exact results.

Answer 2

Yes, it's removed already.

When plug in USB it auto detect the printer under the unspecified hardware but not automatically install the driver, its need install manually.

fyi it happen to all printer using USB connection various brand HP Laserjet, EPSON dot matrix and also our Intermec label printer.

Answer 3

Did you remove the printer drivers following the guides I gave so that no traces are left?

Then before installing drivers, plug in the cable to see if Windows will detect and install the Printer under Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners

Answer 4

Hi Greg,

Thank for your quick reply.

actually I already done those step you provide, but the issue still persist. Using troubleshooter can't detect the issue.

We have two OS version, which is Win 10 1803 and 21H1, for the old one there is no issue, but for 21H1 we got that error.

its only happen when printer using usb as connection, the other options like network, serial or LPT we got no issue.

the strange things why it normal after we do booting on the computer (if we shutdown PC the issue still persist)

any other idea where we should check?

Thank you

Answer 5

Hi Neb. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, specializing in Installation, Performance, Troubleshooting and Activation, here to help you.

Run Printer Troubleshooter at Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot. > Additional Troubleshooters.

If that doesn't help then I would Clean Install the printer which always works, lasts longer and actually saves time.

Windows still needs the full feature software to properly run all the features of a printer/scanner, just the driver is not enough, and the new apps are not developed enough to be fully reliable.

Follow these steps:

1. Power up the printer, if wired unplug it's USB cable from PC.
2. Go to Settings>Apps>Apps and Features to find and Uninstall any printer software.
3. Use these methods to remove all of the old printer drivers:

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/101274-unin...

If you receive an error that printer driver is in use, try these steps:

https://techjourney.net/failure-unable-to-delet...

4. Now type Control Panel in Start Search, open CP, choose Icon View. In Control Panel open Devices and Printers, right click printer to delete Printer and any scanner or fax of the same name. Restart PC.
5. Go to the printer model’s Support Downloads webpage to download and install the latest full software package. Now is also the time to check for any newer printer firmware to install which matters a lot. See how to upgrade firmware here:

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_17766...

6. Extract Printer software, right click Setup file to Run as Administrator. Follow the setup screens closely as you install the software. For USB it should prompt when to plug in the printer.

Older software may need to be installed in Compatibility Mode to run correctly:

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-install-non-...

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-install-olde...

If you have further problems reply back with results of each step.

Once it's installed and you've run a test print, then scanned it to see that it opens on the desktop, open the Printer software and go into its Settings to set the scan-to file location you prefer, also the email app you want opened for Scan to Email, if applicable.

Based on the results you post back I may have other suggestions if necessary.

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