Network problems might be preventing the printer from printing

If you have issues with your printer or printing service make sure that you get the latest fixes for your Windows 10 version.
Version 1909/1903  or  Version 2004.  Find out your version here 
Or try the HP Print and Scan Doctor to fix your printer issues

Fix printer problems caused by a Windows 10 update or upgrade

HP Printer compatibility issues with Windows 10

Some HP printers might not be compatible with Windows 10 and will experience issues if they are used on a Windows 10 system. To see if your printer is supported and find the correct software drivers, read one of the following support documents that matches your version of Windows 10.

Note:  To find out your Windows PC version, press Windows logo key   + R, type winver, then select OK.

Download and Install the latest HP Printer software and driver

To enable all the features your printer supports and to set up network and computer connections, install the recommended HP print driver and software on your computer.

HP Solution Center stopped working (For printers manufactured before 2010)

Are you experiencing the following issues with HP Solution Center after upgrading to Windows 10?

• HP Solution Center stopped working. It is missing or fails to open correctly
• HP Solution Center cannot run' or 'Scan is busy or in use' error with a network connected printer

Review the troubleshooting steps from this document to help resolve these issues HP Printers - HP Solution Center Software Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

HP Printer Assistant stopped working (For printers manufactured after 2009)

After you upgrade to Windows 10, the Printer Setup & Software window opens instead of the settings and tools view when you open HP Printer Assistant, and the printer icon is missing from the Devices and Printers folder. The issue might occur even though your printer was set up and installed before the Windows upgrade.

Review the following document to learn how to troubleshoot when the HP Printer Assistant does not open correctly. HP Printers - HP Printer Assistant Prompts to Connect a New Printer

Wireless Network Printer Set up

USB Printer Set up

Set up your HP printer for a USB cable connection to a Windows computer. To get the most supported features from a USB connected printer, install the full feature HP driver. View the document below to guide you through the steps.

Additional setup, install and uninstall information

Printer Offline

Visit the following link to fix Printer Offline issue using HP Print and Scan Doctor Diagnostic Utility

• Resolving Printer Offline problem using the HP Print and Scan Doctor

Printer Not Found during Network driver setup in Windows

Are you experiencing one of the following errors while installing the printer?

• Printer not found
• Unable to find the printer
• No devices found
• Your printer could not be found on your wireless network

To troubleshoot issues that can cause network printer setup problems use the steps in the following document: HP Printers - Printer Not Found During Network Driver Setup (Windows)

Scanner Connection Errors

When you try to scan, the computer or the scanner is not found or the scan fails. One of the following communication or connection errors displays and the scan fails:

• An error occurred communicating with the scanning device
• An error occurred while communicating with the HP imaging device
• Computer not found
• No Computer Detected
• Scan to computer is currently unavailable

• Scan to computer no longer activated
• Scan Unsuccessful
• Scanner not found
• Scanner Unreachable
• The scanner could not be initialized

Windows 10 is suffering from yet more printer issues. Many people will have been eager to install the KB5006670 update from 12 October – it fixed a total of 74 vulnerabilities, including one that had already been exploited.

However, a new problem has arrived alongside it. This bug affects network printers, preventing users from printing wirelessly using this method. Despite following the usual steps, ‘0x00000709’ or ‘Element not found’ error messages have often been appearing. It’s important to note that not all Windows 10 devices are affected, but it does seem widespread.

Printer-related issues have plagued Windows 10 in recent months. They primarily relate to the ‘PrintNightmare’ vulnerability, but there have been other problems concerning the printer spooler – both can be used to gain remote access to affected devices without the user’s permission.

Windows 11 isn’t immune, either. The first printer bugs on the new OS prevent some users from installing printers properly, while some Brother printers aren’t working via a USB connection.

While we wait for Microsoft to fix the latest Windows 10 issue, here’s what you can try.

Despite Microsoft being aware of the issue, we don’t know how soon a patch for the bug will be available on affected devices. In the meantime, here are four potential solutions if you rely on network printing:

Uninstall the update

This is the obvious one, although it will also remove those vulnerability fixes mentioned earlier:

1. In the search bar next to the Start menu, type cmd
2. Command Prompt will appear as the ‘Best Match’. From the options on the right side, choose ‘Run as Administrator’
   
3. A pop-up will appear, asking if you want to allow changes to be made. Click ‘Yes’
4. The Command Prompt window should now be on screen. Copy and paste ‘wusa /uninstall /kb:5006670’ exact how you see it here and hit enter
   
5. Restart your device to apply the changes

The same method can also be used to uninstall any recent update, provided you know the build number.

Remove affected printers and reinstall them

This is another common solution when things go wrong, but reinstalling the printers with admin rights could help the printer work again:

1. Head to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners
2. Locate the faulty printer from the list, then click it and choose ‘Remove device’
   
3. To reinstall, just click ‘Add a printer or scanner’ from the same screen, or follow the instructions related to your specific printer

It’s definitely worth trying this method, but it can mean workstations need to be reconfigured on a device-by-device basis. In business environments, this may prove extremely time-consuming.

Enable CopyFiles (HP printers only)

Microsoft disabled the CopyFiles feature by default in September 2021, but some HP printers still rely on it. However, there’s a way to manually enable it again:

1. In the search bar next to the Start menu, type ‘reg’ and open the Registry Editor
2. Click ‘Yes’ to confirm you allow changes to be made to your device
3. In the address bar at the top of the window that appears, navigate to ‘HK_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindows NTPrinters’
4. Right-click anywhere on the white screen and choose New > Key
5. Name this key ‘CopyFilesPolicy’
6. Double-click the file named ‘Default’ here and set its ‘Value data’ to 1
   
7. Click ‘OK’ to confirm, then restart your device to apply the changes

Related articles for further reading

• Microsoft releases patch for AMD-related Windows 11 performance issues
• Windows 10’s KB5004945 update should be installed immediately (July 2021)
• Windows 10 hit by another printer vulnerability (July 2021)
• Should I still buy a Windows 10 laptop or PC?

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