Printer Shows "Not Connected" Status but Prints

I have three computers (two running 1909 and one running 2004) that print to a network-attached (wired) HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 Plus. The web interface for the printer shows a "Ready" status and the computers are able to print. However, when I navigate to Settings | Devices | Printers & Scanners, the printer shows a "Not Connected" status.

I have uninstalled and reinstalled the drivers. Immediately following the installation/reinstallation of the drivers, the printer will show the correct status in Printers & Scanners. However, after a reboot, the printer will show "Not Connected" again. All three computers behave exactly the same way. The built-in Windows printing troubleshooter detects an issue but states it's not able to fix it.

At this point, it seems cosmetic but still annoying and I'd like to fix it. Any suggestions on what to try next?

Paul Black said:

Hello @SJMarty,


I noticed that you haven't had an answer to this so I thought I would try and help.

[1] Did the built-in Windows printing troubleshooter give an error code?
[2] If it did, what was it?

Since the printer showed a correct status after the initial installation of the HP software/drivers and the problem only manifested itself after a reboot, I suspect this issue may have existed for a while. Since the printer was printing and this appeared to just be cosmetic, I ended up uninstalling the HP software/drivers and letting Windows install the native software/drivers. I also installed the (ironically named) "HP Smart" UWP application for managing the printer. At this point, everything is working correctly and the printer is showing the correct status.