Solved Win 7/64 "error printing" with HP 4350

[robmar0se]

It was working fine until 10 days ago. Now when ever we try to print it fails, and when we look at the print queue it just says error printing. We are connected via USB cable; no error lights on the printer.

We have cleared the print queue, again and again with no success.

We checked the print spooler, says started (automatic).

We have cleared the files within the system32/spool/printers folder (stopping and restarting the print spool service).

we have removed the printer from the devices and printers option.

We have downloaded the latest drivers from HP, and re-installed the printer.

No joy with anything we've tried - anyone have any other suggestions?

I've googled extensively, but none of the suggestions I've read go beyond what we've tried and failed.

Or do we just do a re-install of Windows?

 

[UsernameIssues]

Whenever I see that a person has "googled extensively", I fear that I'll just be repeating something already tried but here it goes:

Start > view installed updates
Look for any recent updates from HP.
If found, consider removing them as a test.

You can also uninstall everything related to HP and let the OS handle "installing" the drivers.

 

[robmar0se]

Thank you for your suggestion. I removed all updates since the problem started. I also removed all HP programs. Also ran Malwarebytes which removed items referring to "Mywebsearch" and "Weatherblink". Installed a Canon printer which worked fine. Also printer worked fine with another PC.

Subsequently, allowing Windows to install the printer, caused the same problem (maybe notwithstanding the uninstall of HP) still some remnants left?). Clearly a problem in the OS.

So last throw of the dice, before a Win 7 re-install, downloaded the HP drivers again. It worked!!! One will never know which of the many things tried did the magic (probabaly a combination).

In summary:

Checked the print spooler service
Remove printer from devices/printers in control panel
Remove files within windows\system32\spool\printer folder (stopping and restarting print spool service)
Uninstall all Printer software.
Remove all updates since problem started
Run antivirus scans (malwarebytes)
Download the latest drivers and run.

 

[UsernameIssues]

Glad it is working for you