To remove an HP printer from your account, whether it's an HP Smart account or your computer's operating system, you typically need to access the printer's settings or preferences and select an option to "Remove Printer" or "Forget this Printer."
Removing an HP printer from your "account" can refer to a few different scenarios:
- From your HP Smart account/app: This is how you manage your HP printer's online services and features.
- From your computer's operating system (Windows or macOS): This removes the printer from the list of available printing devices on that specific computer.
Below are detailed steps for each scenario.
Removing an HP Printer from Your HP Smart Account or App
The HP Smart app and online account are central hubs for managing your HP printer, accessing features, and monitoring supplies. If you wish to remove a printer from this ecosystem:
Steps for HP Smart Mobile App or Desktop Software:
- Open the HP Smart App: Launch the HP Smart application on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Ensure you are signed into the HP account associated with the printer.
- Select Your Printer: On the app's home screen, you will typically see a list of your connected HP printers. Tap or click on the specific printer you wish to remove.
- Access Printer Settings: Click on the printer settings or preferences. This is usually represented by a gear icon (⚙️) or three dots (•••) near the printer's name or image.
- Find Removal Option: Within the settings menu, look for an option such as "Remove Printer," "Forget this Printer," or "Delete Printer."
- Confirm Removal: Click on the chosen removal option. You will likely be asked to confirm the removal when prompted. Follow the on-screen instructions to finalize the process.
Practical Insight: Removing a printer from your HP Smart account doesn't always automatically unenroll it from services like HP Instant Ink. If you're using Instant Ink, remember to manage your subscription separately through the HP Instant Ink dashboard.
Useful Link:
Deleting an HP Printer from Your Computer's Operating System
Removing a printer from your computer's operating system (OS) means it will no longer appear as an available printer option when you try to print documents from that device. This is a common step when selling a computer, replacing a printer, or troubleshooting.
On Windows:
- Open Settings: Click the Start menu, then select Settings (gear icon).
- Navigate to Printers: Click on Bluetooth & devices, then select Printers & scanners.
- Select the Printer: Find the HP printer you wish to remove from the list of installed printers and click on its name.
- Access Printer Management: On the printer's dedicated page, click on the printer settings or preferences.
- Remove Device: Look for an option like "Remove" or "Remove device."
- Confirm Removal: Confirm the removal when prompted by Windows.
On macOS:
- Open System Settings/Preferences: Click the Apple menu () in the top-left corner of your screen, then select System Settings (macOS Ventura or later) or System Preferences (earlier macOS versions).
- Navigate to Printers & Scanners: In System Settings/Preferences, click on Printers & Scanners.
- Select the Printer: In the list of printers on the left, click to highlight the HP printer you want to remove.
- Remove Printer: Below the printer list, look for the minus (-) button. Click this button.
- Confirm Removal: Confirm the removal when prompted to delete the printer from your Mac.
Useful Links:
Understanding Why You Might Remove a Printer
Users often remove printers for various reasons:
- Replacing an old printer: Upgrading to a newer model and no longer needing the old one connected.
- Troubleshooting: Removing and re-adding a printer can resolve connectivity or printing issues.
- Security/Privacy: Removing a printer from shared accounts or devices for security, especially when selling a device or moving.
- Decluttering: Keeping your list of connected devices tidy and manageable.
- No Longer in Use: If a printer is permanently disconnected or disposed of.
Important Considerations After Removal
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| HP Instant Ink | Removing a printer from HP Smart does not automatically cancel your Instant Ink subscription. You must manage this separately through your HP Instant Ink account. |
| Driver Software | Deleting a printer from your OS typically removes its entry but may leave the driver software installed. You can manually uninstall printer drivers through your computer's Control Panel (Windows) or Applications folder (macOS) if desired. |
| HP Account Data | Removing a printer from your HP Smart account severs its connection to that account. However, your HP account itself and any personal data associated with it remain active unless you specifically choose to delete your HP account. |
| Re-adding Printer | You can always re-add the printer later if needed, by following the standard setup process for your printer, either through the HP Smart app or your operating system's printer setup. |
