Troubleshooting HP Printer Plugin Service Issues on Android

Experiencing problems with the HP Print Service Plugin on your Android smartphone? You’re not alone. Many users encounter difficulties getting their Android devices to communicate seamlessly with their HP printers. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to ensure your HP Print Service Plugin is correctly installed, enabled, and functioning optimally, allowing you to print effortlessly from your Android device.

If you’ve already attempted some troubleshooting steps, that’s a great start! Let’s delve into a more comprehensive approach to resolve these issues and get you printing again.

Installing or Updating the HP Print Service Plugin

The first crucial step is to ensure you have the latest version of the HP Print Service Plugin installed from the Google Play Store. This plugin is the bridge that allows your Android device to recognize and communicate with your HP printer.

1. Access the Google Play Store: Open the Google Play Store app on your Android smartphone or tablet.
2. Search for HP Print Service Plugin: In the search bar, type “HP Print Service Plugin”.
3. Install or Update:
   • If you don’t have it installed: Tap the “Install” button to download and install the plugin.
   • If you have it installed: Check if an “Update” button is available. If so, tap “Update” to ensure you have the latest version. Keeping the plugin updated is vital for compatibility and bug fixes.

Once the installation or update process is complete, you need to make sure the plugin is actually turned on. The method for enabling it can slightly vary depending on your Android operating system version and device manufacturer.

Enabling the HP Print Service Plugin

After installing or updating, the next step is to enable the HP Print Service Plugin. Here’s how to do it on most Android devices:

• For Android 7.0 (Nougat) and later: In many cases, the HP Print Service Plugin is automatically enabled after installation on Android Nougat and newer versions. You might be able to skip directly to printing. However, it’s always good to verify.

• For other Android versions or to manually verify:

  1. Check Notifications (Initial Installation): If this is a fresh installation, swipe down from the top of your home screen to open the notification dashboard. Look for a notification that says “HP Inc. service installed” or similar. Tap on this notification; it might directly lead you to the settings to enable the plugin.

  2. Access Printing Settings (For Updates or Manual Enable):

     • Go to your device’s Settings app.
     • Look for options like More, More networks, More settings, or NFC and sharing. The exact wording can differ across Android devices.
     • Within these options, find and tap on Print or Printing.
     • You should see a list of print services. Locate HP Inc. service or HP Print Service Plugin (it might simply be listed as HP Inc.).
     • Tap on HP Inc. or HP Print Service Plugin to access its settings.
     • Toggle the switch to the On position to enable the plugin.

  3. Disable Conflicting Print Plugins (If Necessary): If you have other print service plugins enabled (for other printer brands, for example), they might conflict with the HP Print Service Plugin. It’s advisable to turn off any other print service plugins temporarily to see if it resolves the issue. You can always re-enable them later if needed.

With the HP Print Service Plugin installed and enabled, you should now be able to print from your Android device to your HP printer. For detailed instructions on how to print using the plugin, you can refer to HP’s official guide on “Printing from HP Print Service Plugin”.

Alternative Solution: HP Smart App

If you continue to experience difficulties with the HP Print Service Plugin, or if you’re looking for a more feature-rich printing experience, consider using the HP Smart app. This app offers a wider range of functionalities beyond just printing, including scanning, managing your printer settings, ordering supplies, and more.

You can download the HP Smart app from the Google Play Store. It provides an alternative method for connecting your Android device to your HP printer and might resolve issues you’re encountering with the plugin. HP provides resources and articles detailing how to use the HP Smart app for remote printing and printer management.

By following these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot and resolve most issues related to the HP Print Service Plugin on your Android device. Whether it’s installing, updating, enabling the plugin, or exploring the HP Smart app, these solutions aim to get you back to printing smoothly and efficiently.