Troubleshooting HP Printer

[Turbineguy]

We have an ENVY 550 printer hooked up to the computer with a USB cable. It will not print because it needs to be connected through the wireless system. This is a new problem. Maybe there was an update for improvement?

I used to work for a guy who specialized in communicating by using terms he knew I did not know.

HP tells me I have to click on something in the "Charms Bar". Same Idea.

I am unable to use the troubleshooting system because I am unable to understand their instructions.

This is why people vote for the Trumps of the world.

[csziggy]

1. First off, check the printer model

I'm not finding a recent Envy 550 printer - 5540 or 5530 but not 550.

Second, what operating system are you using? Windows? Windows 7, 8 or 10?

First thing I would try is to disconnect the USB cable connecting the computer and the printer, uninstall the software, download and install the most recent software for the printer, then when - and only when - the software instructs you to reconnect the USB cable, do it.

Let me know what operating system you have and I can help you with the steps above.

[Turbineguy]

2. That's nice, thanks.

Fighting computers seems to be my new career. It used to not be that way.

Windows 10. It's my Wife's machine. I suspect the problem may have something to do with her ink cartridge subscription from HP. The printer has to communicate directly with HP and cannot do that unless the printer is in the wifi network.

I'll go through a new install as you describe.

[csziggy]

3. There are reports about printer problems when updating to Windows 10

Very often the Windows updates try to install a new driver for the printer - which is a real problem with USB connected printers!

At least the versions of Windows since Windows 7 seem to be better at clearing out the old stuff. With XP I had to clean printer references out of the registry which is a nervous making thing for someone who doesn't do that sort of thing very often!

Try the new install, then see if the USB will work as before. Be sure to reboot the computer in between the uninstallation of the old drivers and software and attempting to install the new ones.