Can print from Notepad only and no other program.

Today's problem is with Windows 10 Pro 64-bit on HP Pro 3500 Series with all current updates. Current printer is Lasetjet Pro M402n.

This seems to be a problem unique to HP computers as the many times I have encountered it, it was an HP; however, the brand, type and model of the printer has proven irrelevant. I have searched the 'net for a solution and found many who have had this problem and no solution seems to have been found. In every case I have seen where anyone mentioned the computer brand, it is always an HP, which I have had the same experience.

The versions of Windows I have seen this on are Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 and whether Home, Home Premium or Pro seems irrelevant.

Backdating the computer via system restore usually fixes the problem temporarily; but, the problem will always re-occur within a few days if not less than a day.

I suspect a Windows Update is causing the problem; but, uninstalling updates has never fixed the problem, even temporarily.

Additional info:

• The Microsoft troubleshooter finds no problems.
• There are no error messages on the computer's dsplay nor on the printer's LCD screen.
• Downloaded the latest printer drivers direct from the printer manufacturer's web site.
• Uninstalled rebooted and reinstalled the printer drivers many times.
• Downloaded the drivers again and repeated uninstall, reboot and reinstall.
• Test page always prints on first try after reinstallation of drivers; but after that, test page pay or may not print.
• When attempting to print from applications, the printer will sometimes make the usual pre-printing movements as though it is about to print and then just stop AND sometimes it does nothing and sits there totally silent.
• I have opened the "See what's printing" module and watched as the print job appears and disappears normally, just as it does when the printer actually works.
• There are no jobs left in the print queue.
• Uninstalled bloatware installed by HP or from any other source.
• Uninstalling, rebooting and reinstalling applications produces no change.
• Did disk cleanup, removed everything except restore points and then rebooted.
• Buying and installing a new printer of a different brand produces no change.
• This problem can present on both laptop and desktop computers.
• Ran antivirus, Malwarebytes Antimalware and SuperAntispyware.
• Stopped and started the print spooler
• Stopped the print spooler and rebooted.
• Updated Windows
• Have switched from direct USB connection to ethernet cable.
• Have switched from ethernet cable connection to direct USB connection.
• When set up on ethernet, all computers are using the same IP address.
• Printer will print from all programs on any other computer, whether connected directly by USB cable or across a wired or wireless network.
• The printer is set as the default.
• Whether shared or not shared on the network produces no change.
• Made and used a new Profile, no change.
• Printer shows as Active in Devices and Printers
• I did system recovery back to new-out-of-the-box factory settings. This fixes problem only temporarily and the problem always comes back within a few days, usually 10 days or less.
• Uninstalled all disused printers.
• Have run SFC, no effect.

 

Well, that eliminates the printer.

I can find several examples of others having these problems, but all seem to be from several years ago. Recent problems tend to be can't print at all. I can see why you find this confusing and confounding.

Create a text document in Notepad verify it prints fine. Then copy and paste that text into Word. Does it print then?

What if you create a document in Word and save it as a .txt file and try to print it?

 

OK, did that. No change in behavior.

I'm curious, if the printer will not even print a test page, what is it you think that experiment would reveal?

 

Text is plain text - no graphics elements, or special characters as might be embedded in a normal Word document.

To be sure, I'm guessing and thinking out loud here (but to no avail, I'm afraid). I have never seen this before. I will keep digging.

 

I've seen it about a dozen times, the last in 2016. I hoped it was over with. I believe the problem has something to do with how Windows transmits the spooled job off to the printer. I've never seen it on any other computer brand than HP. The only permanent solution I have seen is replacing the computer with a different brand.

A Goole search brings up plenty of hits and never a permanent solution.

 

Seems to isolate it to your comp!

Is the comp running with a HDD or SSD?
I would suspect computer circuit connection. Maybe a faulty Motherboard or bad connections.
Are all internal connectors clean and in good condition.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/topic/windows-10-support-center-printing
I assume you've been through this link?

 

Mechanical hard disk.

Mentioned in my initial post, the problem will consistently disappear when the computer is restored to factory new settings and stay that way, usually for 3 to 10 days so I cannot accept it is a defective main board. Also, it happens on computers less than a year old sometimes. The last time I saw this was on a laptop less than a year old.

 

Which suggests they have done something they are infamous for - they set a proprietary setting or used a proprietary part. The irony is you would think any proprietary setting or part on an "HP" computer would have the intended affect of making printing to a "HP" printer a better experience, not worse. I guess it is good news it happens with other brand printers too???

Since you have seen this with both networked and direct connections, we can rule out ports and cables.

FTR, I never - as in NEVER EVER install the software that comes with my HP (or any brand) printing device. Instead, I always go out to the printer's webpage and download and install the "driver only" or "basic driver" package. In fact W10 is excellent at doing just that. The full software suite these device makers want us to install end up foisting all sorts of bloated, intrusive junk on our systems. I only mention that because I have never seen this problem. That said, I also have limited experience with HP computers - except notebooks.

 

If what the HP tech did is what really fixed it, then I don't see why Alex cannot do something similar without having to let some unknown person have remote access to his machine.

If me, I would disconnect and uninstall all current printing devices and their drivers. And if me, I would then run CCleaner's registry cleaner at that point. But if that is something you are not comfortable doing, don't. For the record, I have never had CCleaner's cleaner brick any computer - ever. But this is not a discussion about CCleaner.

Once you have uninstalled the driver (and, if applicable, run CCleaner's registry cleaner) do a "cold" reboot. By "cold", I mean to shut Windows and your computer down normally, then unplug the computer from the wall (or, if your PSU is so equipped, flip the master power switch on the back of your PSU to "0" or off). Wait 15 or so seconds, then plug it back in (or flip to "1" or on) and boot normally.

A "cold" shutdown/reboot is the only way to ensure all voltages, including the ATX Form Factor required +5Vsb standby voltage, are removed from all points (and ports) on your motherboard and in RAM (if DDR4 and W10) - thus ensuring all settings possibly being held by that voltage are released/reset.

Then install any HP driver, except the one for your printer. Actually, I think you could install an Epson or Brother at this point, as long as no other HP printing device (including scanners) is still installed.

This should overwrite any corrupt HP setting. Then do that process all over again, but this time, with the correct driver, fingers crossed and tongue strategically placed. Then see if it works.

Frankly, I just don't like the thought of giving some under-paid, poorly trained Tier 1 tech support person remote access to my computers - regardless how sincere he or she may be.

 

Post removed

 

Done and itemized in initial post

 

The fact that the problem always re-occurs within a week or two after complete recovery to factory settings is, in my opinion, proof of that.

 

Perhaps but since it appears to only affect HP computers, it would seem if it is an update, it would be specific to HP.

I don't see in your itemized list where you disabled this. Note it is NOT done in Windows Update settings.

Right click on Computer > Properties > Advanced system settings > Hardware tab > Device Installation Settings. Then under "Do you want to automatically download manufacturers' apps and custom icons available for your devices?" make sure "No (your device might not work as expected)" is ticked. While this does not specifically say Device Drivers it [supposedly] does stop those updates too. Alternatively, see this.

Note if this makes no difference, I would change it back to the default settings.

 

Have you tried HP scan doctor?
https://support.hp.com/rs-en/topic/printscandoctor
I just had a no-print problem with my HP 1000 Notebook. It would not print a Word doc.
I ran the HP software and at the end it printed a Test Page OK.
I was then able to print the Word doc OK.
My Notebook is running W10 Home version 1809 Build 177763.379. and the latest updates.

 

Curious as to what your print processor is set as.
Printer properties – Advanced tab – Print Processor (middle button at bottom)
If not already try setting it at winprint and default data type as RAW

Read somewhere that HP provides their own custom processor but it doesn't always play nice.

 

Thanks, will try this next time I'm there, could be a week or two.

 

Thanks, will try this next time I'm there, could be a week or two.