Windows 10: Microsoft releases troubleshooter for HP Smart App printer issue on Windows

Some Windows 10 and 11 users started to notice the automatic installation of HP's Smart App on their devices at the end of November 2023. This happened even if no HP printer or other HP device was used.

Microsoft confirmed the issue some days later. The company admitted that the issue was related to the misidentification of printers. In particular, printers, including virtual printers, were wrongly identified as HP LaserJet M101-M106 models.

This caused the operating system to initiate the installation of the HP Smart App on affected devices. Printing should not be affected by the issue according to Microsoft.

Microsoft's solution: KB5034510


Microsoft published a solution for the issue today under KB5034510: Microsoft Printer Metadata Troubleshooter Tool - December 2023.

The troubleshooter tool is designed to fix the issue on affected systems. Microsoft explains that the tool will review printer information on the system it is run on. If the printer model has changed recently, it will restore the original model information and icon of the printer, and remove any data associated with the HP LaserJet M101-M106 printer on the device. Microsoft notes that it will do so for any printer that does not match the make and model of HP's printer.

The troubleshooter will furthermore uninstall the HP Smart application if "there are no HP printers or HP printer drivers installed" and if the application was installed after November 25, 2023.

Affected users and administrators may download the Microsoft Printer Metadata Troubleshooter Tool December 2023 from Microsoft's Download Center. The program has a size of 188 KB and includes executable files for all supported architectures. Most users need PrintMetadataTroubleshooterX64.exe, but there is also a 32-bit version and versions for ARM processors.

Here is a step-by-step guide to using the tool:

1. Download the right version from the Microsoft Download Center.
2. Open Start, type cmd.exe and select "run as administrator" after making sure that Command Prompt is the highlighted result.
3. Use the CD command to switch to the downloaded tool, e.g. cd /d C:\Users\Martin\Downloads
4. Type the name of the tool, e.g., PrintMetadataTroubleshooterX64.exe and press the Enter-key.
   1. Tip: type print and press the Tab-key for autocomplete. You may need to press Tab multiple times if you have multiple files beginning with print in that directory.

The tool fixes the issue automatically and returns a status. You may also run it by right-clicking on it in File Explorer and selecting run as administrator, but this won't return a status report in the end. You can verify changes by checking the installed printers or searching for the HP Smart app.

Closing Words

Windows users affected by the issue may want to download the troubleshooter and run it to fix the issue on their devices.

Now You: were you affected by the printer issue on Windows? (via Deskmodder)

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HP SMART app - crash

Hi Blair,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community forum.

• Were there any changes made on the computer prior to this issue?
  

Meanwhile, you may try the troubleshooting steps listed in the articles listed below and check if it works:

• Fix problems with apps from Microsoft Store
  
• HP Smart for Windows
  
• Note: Since the websites are not hosted by Microsoft, the links may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this information.
  

Regards,

 

how to resolve open paper tray /it is closed on hp envy 4520 printer

This is something that is a HP related issue. The Microsoft community mostly deals with Microsoft product related issues.

Just to make sure that this is not a Microsoft or Windows related issue... do you have the "HP Smart" UWP windows app installed? The HP Smart app really only works well with printers that mostly released around the time and after the time the app was first
released onto the store. I had a HP Jetink Office printer 4500, that would sometimes give problems when this app was used (the app itself would state that the printer is not fully compatible with the app, sometimes gave the printer the name Upgrade Printer).
That printer eventually neared the end of life, got a newer HP printer and the app is not giving any problems and the printer is working fine.

Uninstall the app. Restart the PC and the printer. If you do not see an issue just make sure to test printing, Do not reinstall app yet. If it works, reinstall the app, then restart the PC and printer. If testing it now gives issues, then it could be
the app. In that case although it is a HP issue as HP created the app, the app comes from the Windows Store.

Either way I would still suggest getting in contact with HP.

 

Setup of HP Officejet 9015e failing because HP Smart App does not open

I have 2 HP printers, LaserJet Pro MFP M148 and OfficeJet Pro 9015, see issues for Smart so have removed it from 4 Desktops and a few Notebooks. Most of my needs are satisfied by programs and for scanning I use Windows Fax and Scan if a program can't, only needs the HP drivers. Part of what Smart wants is to set up an account and I pass on that. On one Desktop Smart only went to a blank page.