New HP Printer that I cannot install

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I had an HP DeskJet 882C printer for 22 years and it was great…used it through Windows 98SE, XP Pro, Vista Ultimate, Windows 8 Pro and Windows 10 Pro.  It finally died several months ago and I wanted an HP DeskJet 3755 as a replacement. HP had none of the turquoise ones in stock until about a week ago.  I ordered one and it came yesterday and it is REALLY GOOD LOOKING.

I’ve spent hours and hours trying to set it up. I didn’t realize HP would be so cheap as to not include a USB cable as I don’t want it set up wireless.  But since I will have to go buy a cable, I decided to set it up temporarily via wireless connection.  I can’t get it set up.  Plus, as attractive as it is, the connector on the back won’t stay on so that if it is moved slightly or even touched the connector falls off.  Geez.  Plus, the electrical cord on it is extremely short (on my old HP Printer the electrical cord was extremely long) and I had to add an extension cord!

There are no instructions included.  I expected a nice long booklet and CD also like I have for the 882C.  There is one page of illustrations with nothing but crude drawings and no written explanation of the crude drawings!  So, I went to HP online and got some of their software that won’t install on Windows 10 but some did install.  It asks for the serial number on the printer which I type in only to be told that is an invalid serial number.  Geez.  It is correct…I have checked it and typed it in correctly.  Plus, it wants me to use Google Chrome browser (over my dead body!) or IE…huh?  IE?  What about Edge…why IE?

Here I have a brand new printer and NO phone number to call HP Support.  That borders on criminal.  I am soooo angry!

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Start with the HP site and here is your printer:

https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-deskjet-3700-all-in-one-printer-series/8954253/model/11262035/manuals

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Mele20 wrote:

Plus, as attractive as it is, the connector on the back won’t stay on so that if it is moved slightly or even touched the connector falls off. Geez.

If that connector on the back is for the electrical cord, shove it in really hard (as they’re a tight fit when brand new).

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I just set up an HP8025e.
The User’s relatives had tried to set it up with the Smart App from Win10 from MS to no avail.
I uninstalled everything they installed in both the Control Panel\Programs & Features + Devices & Printers and in Settings\Apps (including the Smart App). Then I disallowed MS controlling Printing in Settings.

I set a static IP address and other IP info in the Printer’s menu. In this case 192.168.1.100. Used the Router’s IP as Gateway and DNS server.
Don’t connect via USB until after installing the HP software – it will ask you to connect in the process.
On the HP.com website, I downloaded the Full software for Win8.1 (that’s right, NOT Win10, you will have to change OS in the pulldown) and installed it. That gets around the necessity of installing the Smart App from the MS Store.
If you choose a wireless connection during the install, it should ask you to connect the USB first and will retrieve the network ID and password. Refuse any Web Printing options.

This has worked for me several times.

Edit: Settings should look like this:

SettingsApps

Control PanelDevices & PrintersPrinter Properties

Clicking on printer icon on desktop

2 users thanked author for this post.

geekdom, Mele20

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PKCano wrote:

I uninstalled everything they installed in both the Control Panel\Programs & Features + Devices & Printers and in Settings\Apps. Then I disallowed MS controlling Printing in Settings.

Wow.  I don’t want this printer badly enough (as great looking and extremely compact it is) to try and do all that!

I tried from Printers and Scanners just now and it wanted the WPS pin number!  It claims the number is in the material that came with the printer but I  don’t see a pin number.  Plus, I have no idea what button on my Linksy router to press!  Ahhh…. I found the right button on my Linksy router and followed the instructions and the printer does NOT connect through WPS mode.  I didn’t need the WPS pin number doing it this way but it doesn’t work.

I am fairly knowledgeable about computers, etc yet this is all extremely confusing and I can’t imagine the ordinary home user being able to set this printer up.

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I’ve done all that but thanks anyhow.  I have HP Smart installed but it can’t find the printer even via IP address.

I need to call them. But HP insists on having me type in the serial number which I have done and checked to be sure correct, etc before HP will give me a support number to call.  HP claims the serial number is incorrect. It is correct.  I suppose the problem is that I will NOT use IE or Google Chrome browsers.  I suppose Basilisk and Fx 91.8 ESR and Edge are not acceptable which means I will have to return the printer.

I guess I don’t want ANY HP printer if HP has become so pathetic that you cannot call support, if needed, during setup.

I only need a printer maybe two or three times a year when I have to compose a snail mail letter using Open Office and print it out and mail it.

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Right off, you didn’t read.
I used FF, so it’s not your browser.
I didn’t use Smart App – I uninstalled it along with everything that was installed for Win10.
I used the Win8.1 Full software, and denied the Smart App and MS stuff for WebPrint if it was offered.
What I have ended up with is the local install and a port on the local Router instead.
The procedure for Win10 has resulted in failure to install\set up right, not just for me, but others that I’ve come behind.

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PKCano wrote:

The procedure for Win10 has resulted in failure to install\set up right, not just for me, but others that I’ve come behind.

Is this just a problem with HP Printers and Windows 10?  There’s a zillion printers out there.  If this is just an HP problem, I’ll just return the printer to them and get a different brand.  This one is very elegant looking but looks don’t trump ease of setup and usability.  I did read warnings regarding getting any HP printer if you have Windows 10 but that seemed absurd so I ignored the warnings.

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I have had good luck with Brother printers.

HP has always been a PITA. Back when, the printer was put on DHCP (dynamic auto assignment of IP), which may provide a different IP address on startup each time. But the software on the PC didn’t change with the DHCP IP change on the printer so it was still looking for the last one and didn’t connect. Hence the use of a static IP either on the printer or reserved in the Router. That way, the s/w knew where the printer was.

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Mele20 wrote:

I didn’t realize HP would be so cheap as to not include a USB cable

Why not use the USB cable from your HP DeskJet 882C printer.

I had a horrible HP DeskJet 2630. Dumped it and bought Epson EcoTank ET-2720 All-in-One Supertank Printer which came without USB cable.
Using the USB cable form the HP with the Epson.

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PKCano wrote:

I have had good luck with Brother printers.

HP has always been a PITA. Back when, the printer was put on DHCP (dynamic auto assignment of IP), which may provide a different IP address on startup each time. But the software on the PC didn’t change with the DHCP IP change on the printer so it was still looking for the last one and didn’t connect. Hence the use of a static IP either on the printer or reserved in the Router. That way, the s/w knew where the printer was.

no such problem with my HP ENVY 4500 printer – works great with Win10 whether connected thru a local USB port or a wireless internet connection; still remembers which IP address connected to my ISP, even when I reset the HP printer to its network defaults and re-entered the wifi network and passcode. lucky me

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I bought a cheap Canon 3100 series printer a few months ago (I also do very little printing) and it was a breeze to set up.

Windows 10 Home 22H2, Acer Aspire TC-1660 desktop + LibreOffice, non-techie

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Alex5723 wrote:

Why not use the USB cable from your HP DeskJet 882C printer.

(I’ve been sick so I just now saw this).  Great idea, I thought so I went to check the printer and the cable… but before I looked I was starting to recall the printer I bought with my first computer were both from Dell in 1999.  Yeah, what I was recalling was right …it has a parallel port connection and cable…not USB…looks like also a port for USB but I never used it.

What used to be so nice about HP printers was that they were recognized by Windows and set up within Windows…user did nothing.  You just plugged in the printer and immediately Windows woke up and said it had detected new hardware and proceeded to set it up.

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Mele20 wrote:

(I’ve been sick so I just now saw this).  Great idea

My brother had also a HP Deskjet 2630 (connected to Windows 7). Dumped that too and replaced with a Canon printer that came with no USB cable. Used the HP USB cable with the Canon.

Connecting a printer using USB to Windows will install the printer automatically.

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Maybe it depends on the model, but over the years I’ve installed several HP printers and can’t remember having a problem.

Within the last six months, I’ve installed an HP ENVY Photo 7130 All-in-One and an HP OfficeJet Pro 6970 All-in-One on my little wireless home network. The computers are two Win 10 pro x64 machines (21H2) and six Win 7 pro x64 (fully updated with Bypass ESU) devices.

I bought both printers used on the internet, so there were no installation disks or manuals, but I just went to the HP website and downloaded the appropriate installation files. Of course I had to install them on each machine, but as far as I can remember, everything was straightforward.

I just plugged in the printer and turned it on (first the 7130, and then when I was done with the installations, the 6970). Every computer found the printer and its IP address immediately, and in a flash it was installed on the network. Then I installed the rest of the software. Yes, there’s bloat, but it only takes a few minutes to delete it.

I’d assume that the setup of your network and router security plays a role. I know I didn’t use the router’s WPS function, and I can’t remember being directed to use it by the software. This meant, of course, that I had to enter my network password manually for each computer, but that makes sense. Yes, it took a bit of time, but what do you want???

I’ve also relatively recently installed a Brother HL-L2370DN on the same network and machines, and it was much more difficult to get the network to find it. Even that, however, worked in the end somehow.

Anyway, I guess it’s a matter of “your mileage may vary”, but I really don’t have any gripes with the HP installations I’ve done.

Whether the printers are any good is another matter …..
😉

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I initiated a return but while I wait for HP to authorize such, I tried again today to get it set up but I can’t.

I think something might be going on that indirectly is affecting setting this up. Last night, I got nastily accused by HP website of flooding! Also was accused of flooding by two forums. I had tried ONCE to access my account on HP website when I was accused of flooding. Same with the forums.

In 22 years of owning computers and accessing the internet I have had this accusation happen twice before now, years ago, and both times it turned out there were major problems on the internet that had nothing to do with me.  It was my ISP having severe problems that caused the accusation in the past.

I also have odd things happening like UPS (that I have not needed to track a package being sent to me in several years) but now I do need to track demanding an email address and I only have a user name and password.  When I signed up for UPS many years ago an email address was not required.

UPS suggests I use websites that I have BLOCKED on my computers for years to login instead! UGH!  Will NEVER do that.

I recall (as late as January 2022) when UPS was great and UPS MyChoice worked fine on my Windows computers and on my iPhone but I can’t even use my iPhone to track at UPS now to my surprise.  I think the problem on my iPhone is that Apple must have finally started REQUIRING two factor ID which I will never use.  I’d rather not have a smart phone than be forced to use two factor ID.  (Apple has assured me they have not yet required two factor ID but I think maybe they have).

I don’t want the printer networked…I want it connected (like my old HP printer) directly to my main computer.  I had read before I bought it that it could be used directly connected to one computer but evidently with this one I will have to go buy a USB cable to do it.  I did not need a USB cable to connect my previous HP printer to one computer.  I do not understand why default now is a user owning multiple computers thus connecting via WiFi which is garbage IMO.  As for the iPhone, I tried connecting via it when I could not via my computer but I would never connect ordinarily by the iPhone because of the tiny screen when I have 24″ widescreen monitor for my computer.

HP Support site has been UNavailable for many hours.  Something really strange IS going on currently on the internet.

I can’t even reset my password there because I am required to enter my email address for UPS and I don’t have one as I first signed up when that was not needed.  It’s ironic that I can use a third party (like Macy’s) to track my package and access my account at UPS but I can’t access the account directly.

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“I did not need a USB cable to connect my previous HP printer to one computer.  ”

It had to be connected somehow.  If it used a parallel cable, then, we now use a usb cable.

 

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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@Mele20 said so up in post number 2441180:

…I thought so I went to check the printer and the cable… but before I looked I was starting to recall the printer I bought with my first computer were both from Dell in 1999.  Yeah, what I was recalling was right …it has a parallel port connection and cable…not USB…looks like also a port for USB but I never used it. …

 

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Several points:

Your comments stating that several sites have blocked you or informed you are hitting them (Denial-0f-Service attack) suggests that your computer may be infected or may be a bot. Run some checks.

• Run a full virus scan with your virus checker.
• Run this, the one-time scan: https://www.eset.com/us/home/online-scanner/
• Run this: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/
• There are also sites that check for IP blacklists

Pay attention to directions given and follow them.

Two-factor authorization protects you. I don’t leave my door at home unlocked either.

Companies that you order from have a vested interest in your safety. Find a way to get your mail address entered and change your passwords.

If you are obtaining help from three sites on your printer problem, that, too, would be helpful to know.

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geekdom wrote:

Two-factor authorization protects you. I don’t leave my door at home unlocked either.

I keep my door locked too.  Bad analogy.

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[Bob99]

@Mele20 –

I’ve been using HP printers as long as you have, starting in 1999 with an HP DeskJet 712c. That was the only HP printer that came with a USB cable in the box. All of the others I’ve bought since haven’t had a USB cable in the box, and the OfficeJet 6000 that I currently use had a statement in very small type on the box stating that a USB cable was NOT included in the box and had to be acquired separately if I wished to connect to it via USB.

I was in my local Wal Mart yesterday, and I noticed that they had USB printer cables for $10.82 each. They looked to be about 6 feet long.

Where I’m going with this is that after you do what @geekdom suggests above in post 2441340 and have successfully completed all scans and removal of anything that’s found, why not try getting the basic driver and installation software for that driver from HP’s support site, rather than trying to return what might otherwise be a perfectly fine printer? I cannot emphasize enough the successful completion of an anti-crapware scan prior to doing anything else. It might be what’s been causing problems for HP Smart in its inability to find your printer.

I’ve already looked, and the driver installation package says that it only supports the print and scan functions, but that’s all you really want it to do anyway, based upon your post above…

I only need a printer maybe two or three times a year when I have to compose a snail mail letter using Open Office and print it out and mail it.

You don’t need a driver for the copy function, because all the copy function does is make a copy of a document that’s put on the scanner without the need for the computer, just like a regular photocopier.

As far as your complaint about the lack of documentation and the lack of a CD in the box, I first noticed that when I bought the OfficeJet 6000 back in (2011/2012?). There were only basic instructions with drawings on how to set it up, no USB cable and no CD. I then took it upon myself to go to HP’s site and see what I could find. At the time, I found the manual and two different programs for installing the drivers, one full-featured and one bare bones. I took the bare bones one had haven’t looked back. I was surprised when it even worked for installing the drivers for Windows 10 after Windows couldn’t find any drivers it liked on its own for the printer. The printer works like a champ to this day.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 11 months ago by Bob99.

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I never have used an WiFi connection to run the printer from any of my several successive computers, present one included. I wonder if at least part of Mele20’s problem might not be resolved by using always an USB cable, as I do, assuming it’s possible in this case.

(I only connect my Mac to my HP printer when I need to use the printer, which is not all the time.)

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I visited a co-worker and set up an HP printer. On the screen I had to first hit ? to get around the prompt to go to the HP web site and download software. Then I had to hit cancel twice. Only then was I able to get to the panel to manually add the printer to their wireless network. It wasn’t obvious from any of the how tos on the web sites to hit this cancel button twice.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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This might be interesting:

< EXPERIENCE IMPORTING AN OLDER HP DRIVER SET >

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Some good suggestions in this thread, and I would have expected PkCano’s suggestion (#2440973) ought to have worked for the OP — avoiding the “HP Smart” app (as well as “HP Easy Start”). See geekdom’s link (#2440961) and download the 102MB “Print and Scan Driver”, not the “EasyStart” garbage.

While that might have worked for the OP, unfortunately that won’t work for some other HP models. Our local neighborhood association recently bought a HP MFP m234, but it turns out there is no user-downloadable driver. You’re required to use the HP Smart app or Easy Start setup, which will find and download the driver for you — but only if you first create a mandatory user account at hp.com and then connect the printer directly to the internet. Our organization mainly wanted to use it as a stand-alone copier, but they couldn’t even do that because it was stuck in step-by-step Setup mode until the mandatory “installation” steps were completed. (They subsequently came to me for help, and I created a fake HP account and completed “installation” in a Win10 virtual machine, after which we were able to disconnect from the internet and use it as a stand-alone copier.)

I used to recommend HP laser printers, but no longer do so for home use. These days I use Brother lasers and Epson ink-jets.

 

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Lots of great information here. I also have the HP5550 all in one..but I do not print more than 5 pages in 3 months!

Who ever thought computers would alleviate the paper pile!!!

Thanks everyone.

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@DriftyDonN –

Are you sure you didn’t mean to put your post about the HP 5550 all in one in the following thread (below) instead here in this thread?

https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/reccomendations-needed-for-replacing-a-21-year-old-hp-5550/

1 user thanked author for this post.

DriftyDonN

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Sigh….yes I did..

Thanks  for pointing this out for me..

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