Sudden problem with WiFi printing to HO OfficeJet Pro

jcaswell · 02 Aug 2016

I have had an HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 Plus for a year or so, and W10 for 4 or 5 months. The printer is connected to my router via wifi, as is my PC. I have been able to print using that setup ever since I installed W10, but now it fails to work (in the last few days).

The printer is showing as 'Not Connected' when i hover over it on Devices and Printers in Control Panel. However, it is definitely working as I can print from my iPad (that also connects through the router), and also using the HP e-print service, sending the thing to be printed to an email address.

I reinstalled the printer management application yesterday, and it worked, but now it does not, again.

Has anyone got any thoughts (other than the obvious one of connecting it using a cable)? Has there been an OS update that has messed this up?

Any help would be appreciated

AmericanPharaoh · 02 Aug 2016

Hello,

First, go into the Control Panel >Hardware and Printers>View Devices and Printers>Make sure your Printer has, right below it, a green circle with a check mark in it. This indicates it is the Default Printer. Hover your mouse cursor over it and R/Click, from the menu which appears, select Troubleshooter. Run the Troubleshooter. Let us know what happens. Note: Make sure your Printer is powered up so the troubleshooter can find it on your Homegroup.

On your Printer, to make sure it is connected to your Network. In the control display, tap the Wireless icon, this should display 'your Network information. If not, you'll need to rescan for your network. Select it from the list, and enter your password. Press, OK. For more help, refer to your HP Printer documentation.

In addition:
Here's is the HP link to information for your HP Officejet Pro 8600 e-All-in-One Printer - N911a -Troubleshooting.
http://support.hp.com/us-en/product/...roubleshooting

Go through the steps which are related to your issue. In the left column click on Troubleshooter. Two blank boxes will appear on the right side. Click inside the first box, a drop down menu will appear. Select Wireless, Network, & Internet. Repeat the same procedure for the second box. But, Choose Wireless Connections, Networking.

Continue going down the check list until you find the issue.

If not, let us know and we will continue to diagnose.

Hope this helps'
John

jcaswell · 02 Aug 2016

AmericanPharoah - Thank you for your help. The answers are below

AmericanPharaoh said:

Hello,

First, go into the Control Panel >Hardware and Printers>View Devices and Printers>Make sure your Printer has, right below it, a green circle with a check mark in it. This indicates it is the Default Printer. The printer is set as default printer and shows the green circle with check mark. Still showing 'Not connected'. Hover your mouse cursor over it and R/Click, from the menu which appears, select Troubleshooter. Run the Troubleshooter. Let us know what happens. Troubleshooter says that it could not identify the problem. Note: Make sure your Printer is powered up so the troubleshooter can find it on your Homegroup. Printer is powered up

On your Printer, to make sure it is connected to your Network. In the control display, tap the Wireless icon, this should display 'your Network information. Pressing wireless icon shows printer connected to network through wifi If not, you'll need to rescan for your network. Select it from the list, and enter your password. Press, OK. For more help, refer to your HP Printer documentation.

In addition:
Here's is the HP link to information for your HP Officejet Pro 8600 e-All-in-One Printer - N911a -Troubleshooting.
http://support.hp.com/us-en/product/...roubleshooting

Go through the steps which are related to your issue. In the left column click on Troubleshooter. Two blank boxes will appear on the right side. Click inside the first box, a drop down menu will appear. Select Wireless, Network, & Internet. Repeat the same procedure for the second box. But, Choose Wireless Connections, Networking. There is no direct reference to my problem, but the Printer Offline FAQ suggest loading the KB3147458 upgrade as this can solve some problems. I am going ahead with that and will report back See below

Continue going down the check list until you find the issue.

If not, let us know and we will continue to diagnose.

Hope this helps'
John

Final Update - the upgrade could not be applied as I was told that it was not appropriate for my system. Not sure why - possible subsequent upgrades have superseded it. Anyway - any other thoughts?

The printer is working fine as it prints happily using other wifi mechanisms and technologies, so I believe that somehow the PC 'forgets' about the connection.

I will buy a printer USB lead later and try that - I suspect that that will solve the problem, but will not fix it

AmericanPharaoh · 03 Aug 2016

jcaswell,

"The printer is working fine as it prints happily using other Wi-Fi mechanisms and technologies, so I believe that somehow the PC 'forgets' about the connection."

Do you remember installing any hardware or software just before the Printer stopped working with your PC?

Which Antivirus and Firewall program/s do you have installed?

Repeat running Windows Update manually, to make sure all Windows Updates are current.

Check in Device Manager for issues with your Wi-Fi Adapter. Let us know if you need instruction for this step.

Next, try updating your Printer Drivers.
http://support.hp.com/us-en/product/...323658/drivers

If that doesn't work, Option 2: Go directly to the software and driver results.
http://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/.../model/4323658

Before proceeding with Option 2, go into the Control Panel>Programs>Uninstall a Program>Locate and remove HP Officejet Pro 8600 Printer.

John

jcaswell · 03 Aug 2016

AmericanPharaoh

Thank you very much for your interest in this - I have taken the easy way out and bought a USB printer cable as I needed to be able to print.

However, to answer your specific suggestions:

I did not install any hardware or software around the time when this started - the only think I do not control (and I do not like it in W10) is the OS updates

Anti Virus - AVG

I will do the Windows Update thing, but I will need to find out how to run it manually - I used to know in W7

WiFi adapter will be OK - the PC links to the internet via WiFi

I deleted all HP software and reinstalled it about 2 days ago to see if I could fix the problem - worked when the install was complete, but then stopped

I will continue to investigate, and get back if I find an answer

AmericanPharaoh · 03 Aug 2016

"I deleted all HP software and reinstalled it about 2 days ago to see if I could fix the problem - worked when the install was complete, but then stopped."

This would seem to be brought on a driver conflict. Although, it's possible something could be failing in the Printer circuitry.

You could try running a Clean Boot, to see if the Printer will work that way.

Try disabling your Antivirus and Firewall. Some programs require permission from the Antivirus or Firewall to connect to the Internet. This is why I had asked about which protection programs you where using.

There is also the possibility your PC is infected with Malware. Run a scan with Malewarebytes.

When uninstalling the Printer software, you may be required to run a specialist printer software removal tool for your HP device. Some of the related HP Printer programs left behind during uninstall could cause a problem with the printer software during installation. By sight, I do know which other programs would need removing. But, not here without a screen shot of Programs and Features window. There is also a good third-party removal tool called Recuva.

To run Windows Update manually, simply- click on start>type- update>choose- check for updates>click on the- Check for updates- button.

Hopefully, I haven't left something uncovered. Sometimes, my age gets the best of me. LOL

Please, be sure to keep us updated on your progress if you should discover why your Printer is not printing through Wi-Fi.

Regards'
John