HP inkjet Printers junk

[johnrobert]

Tried to setup an HP Deskjet Plus 4132 today instead of a wizard to detect network and enter password it wants to use HP Smart and it does not detect printer there was a load of crap on his Win 10 computer Avast premium and VPN I disabled those got it to work with USB but will not scan there was not way to make it scan by USB
Did another HP printer a few weeks ago it had to be done with a smart phone not easy, I hate HP

 

[River Valley Computer]

Tried to setup an HP Deskjet Plus 4132 today instead of a wizard to detect network and enter password it wants to use HP Smart and it does not detect printer

They're making the printers just like their computers - crap!

 

[frase]

My bane of printer land, Hardly Perfect printers. I just install the printer via Windows and use the Windows Scan feature.

The printer needs to be setup on the same network SSID first via WPS in order to do this.

 

[alexsmith2709]

The HP Smart App is horrible, i hate it! I had a similar issue with one of my customers last year, i spent ages trying to install the printer for her (and printer repair is a big part of my business) and it just would not do it. In the end i managed to find the drivers that could be installed without using the HP Smart App and its been smooth sailing since then

 

[NJW]

HP Deskjet Plus 4132

Windows drivers are available on the HP support site – just scroll past the 'Smart' option to Installation Software and Full/Basic Driver. There's even a fully-offline install option for that model.

It has been that way for some years now, you just need to ignore all the smart app junk that pops up.

 

[Diggs]

I like the HP OfficeJet Pro 6000/8000 series. Always use USB connections when possible or put it on the network manually but never WiFi Direct as that has proven to be very flaky. As @NJW mentioned, I always go straight to their web site for the drivers.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I don't do the consumer printers much at all, mostly the business grade models so we use the HP Universal Print Driver on the printers, and for the MFPs....go for their full drivers...the corporate versions.
But the few residential models I've set up lately...I have done the new HP Smart App...haven't had problems with it. Ensure firewall is set to private/local network, not public.
And as you noted...crappy antivirus possibly with its own built in firewall, and/or some weird VPN services...may or may not have been enabled/running....makes those the cause, not the HP Smart App. If some 3rd party software is blocking local network access....can't blame HP Smart App.

 

[johnrobert]

I did scroll down further to get drivers this got the printer working but not scanner I doubt Windows Scan feature would work as both use same twain going back Fri give it another go I never give up, will try direct connect with smart phone.
also Win10 nearly always auto installs printers when using USB not this one.

These HP printers look like they were made by Fisher price toys. Everything consumer grade HP is junk now

 

[fincoder]

HP's Deskjet models should be avoided, I've had problems installing those and the cheaper Envy models. HP Officejet 8000 & 9000 series are excellent, but unfortunately there isn't much choice in consumer-priced printers in Australia since Covid. Very few models available anywhere.

I advise my customers to only get an inkjet printer that has an LCD screen. In my experience these are a step above the real cheapies and are less likely to have issues, and it makes operation much easier.

 

[NJW]

I did scroll down further to get drivers this got the printer working but not scanner I doubt Windows Scan feature would work ...

Right there on the download page, "Installation Software and Full/Basic Driver-Supports print and scan functionality only".

'Only', in this context, means it doesn't have all the bloaty stuff included, which is what you want.

It is important not to plug the printer in to the computer before installing the downloaded drivers, otherwise Windows will break it in the blink of an eye. If Windows already shows the printer, disconnect the printer, delete any printer instances, reboot windows and install the drivers. Connect the printer when the install wizards asks.

Everything consumer grade HP is junk now

FIFY. That's what happens when consumers are allowed to vote with their wallets.

 

[alexsmith2709]

HP's Deskjet models should be avoided, I've had problems installing those and the cheaper Envy models. HP Officejet 8000 & 9000 series are excellent, but unfortunately there isn't much choice in consumer-priced printers in Australia since Covid. Very few models available anywhere.

I advise my customers to only get an inkjet printer that has an LCD screen. In my experience these are a step above the real cheapies and are less likely to have issues, and it makes operation much easier.

It was actually the 9000 series i had big issues with. No matter what driver package i downloaded it always wanted to use the HP Smart App and even when i did manage to get it to install without it scanning wasnt working properly. I cant remember how i sorted it in the end. The customer has been quiet for a couple months thankfully!
A printer with an LCD is definitely preferable, but as mentioned above, customers vote with their wallets and will usually buy the cheapest, particularly if there hasnt been any guidance about what to buy/stay clear of.

 

[britechguy]

That's what happens when consumers are allowed to vote with their wallets.

Well, that's how consumers (including business consumers) have most often voted. 'Twas ever thus.

 

[fincoder]

It was actually the 9000 series i had big issues with.

I use one connected by LAN every day from 2 different PCs. I originally set it up with HP Smart, worked OK for a while but then had trouble. Then I reinstalled with the alternative software download 'for offline use only'. Since then the only issue I have is that the scanning software on a 4K monitor is tiny, the app doesn't do DPI scaling!

 

[NJW]

'Twas ever thus.

No, it really wasn't. Aggressive price comparison is a relatively new phenomenon, for some value of 'new'. It varies considerably from country to country, ime, and is much more evident in Western anglophone locales, exacerbated by corporate accountants' maximum-profit imperatives.

 

[britechguy]

for some value of 'new'.

Indeed. Decades-long "new."

 

[Appletax]

Yep, can't stand them. Junk, junk, junk!!! HOT GARBAGE!!! lol.

Recently had two that wouldn't install at all and one that wouldn't work right with HP Smart - has to get the full drivers.

HP Smart is not so smart.

Brother for the win!

 

[frase]

Smart printers are designed to make people seem stupid, I avoid HP Printers with Covid distancing rules.

 

[savvytechtips]

Buy a Brother printer.

 

[lan101]

So hard to find brother printers in stock and at a reasonable price right now

 

[frase]

Buy a Brother printer.

The op is talking about a HP printer setup not a solution to purchase another brand.