How to Remove a Printer From the HP Smart App

If you’re managing multiple HP printers or have recently changed devices, it’s essential to keep your HP Smart app organized and up to date. Removing a printer that you no longer use can help declutter your device list, prevent accidental print jobs, and enhance your overall experience. In this article, we’ll guide you through the correct method to remove a printer from the HP Smart app on both desktop and mobile platforms.

TL;DR

To remove a printer from the HP Smart app, open the app on your PC or mobile device, go to the printer settings or home dashboard, and delete or forget the selected printer. The process varies slightly depending on the platform (Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS), but it generally involves accessing the settings for the particular printer. Note that removing a printer will not uninstall its drivers from your device. You may need to do that separately via your system settings if necessary.

Why You Might Want to Remove a Printer

There are several valid reasons to remove a printer from your HP Smart app:

• Replaced or Upgraded Printer: If you’ve recently bought a new HP printer, you’ll want to remove the old one to avoid confusion.
• Printer No Longer in Use: Maybe you’ve moved offices or no longer have access to the printer.
• Troubleshooting: Sometimes a complete removal and re-addition of a printer can resolve certain software or connectivity issues.
• Shared Devices: On shared devices, it’s best to keep only active or relevant printers listed.

Important Considerations Before Removal

Before you proceed with removing a printer, be aware of the following:

• Removing a printer from HP Smart does not remove it from your computer’s system settings. To completely eliminate all traces, uninstall drivers separately from your OS.
• Any scan-to-email, saved shortcut, or fax presets associated with the printer will be lost. Make sure to back up important settings if needed.
• If you plan on reconnecting to the printer later, you’ll need the printer to be on the same network or accessible via Bluetooth.

Steps to Remove a Printer from HP Smart on Windows or macOS

Follow these steps if you’re using HP Smart on a Windows PC or a macOS system:

1. Open the HP Smart app.
2. On the main dashboard, you’ll see a list or tile representing your printer.
3. Click on the Printer Settings gear icon or select the printer from the home screen.
4. Look for an option that says Remove Printer, Forget this Printer, or use the three-dot menu in the corner of the printer tile.
5. Confirm the removal when prompted.

When completed, the printer will disappear from the HP Smart dashboard. If it automatically reappears, make sure that the Wi-Fi network isn’t reconnecting you via Auto-Discovery. To prevent this, disable Wi-Fi on the printer or choose “Do not show again” if prompted.

Steps to Remove a Printer from HP Smart on Android or iOS

If you’re using the HP Smart app on a mobile device like an Android phone or an iPhone/iPad, the process is slightly different:

1. Open the HP Smart app on your mobile device.
2. Tap on the printer image or name on the home screen—it will take you to the printer-specific dashboard.
3. Tap the Settings icon (usually shaped like a gear or three vertical dots).
4. Select the option labeled Remove Printer or Forget this Printer.
5. Confirm your choice when prompted.

After successful removal, you’ll no longer see the device listed on your mobile HP Smart interface. If needed, you can always re-add it later through “Add Printer” using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or manual setup methods.

Common Issues to Watch For

While the removal process is generally straightforward, some users may encounter obstacles. Here are a few common problems and their solutions:

• Printer Reappears After Removal: Disable any network discovery or setting that allows HP Smart to auto-add printers back. Also check that the printer’s Wi-Fi is off if you don’t want it to be found again.
• “Remove” Option is Missing: Ensure that you are signed in with the account that added the printer originally. Some admin-level permissions may be required to remove a device.
• App Crashes Upon Attempt: Try updating the HP Smart app or reinstall it. Cache issues or bugs may affect usability on older versions.

Uninstalling Drivers for Full Removal

If your goal is to completely eliminate all traces of a printer, that includes removing the installed drivers from your operating system:

On Windows:

1. Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
2. Right-click the printer you wish to uninstall.
3. Choose Remove Device.
4. Open Print Management tool (Windows Pro versions) to delete associated drivers.

On macOS:

1. Click on the Apple menu and choose System Settings or System Preferences.
2. Select Printers & Scanners.
3. Highlight the printer and click the “-” button to remove it.

Note that deleting the printer from HP Smart won’t remove these driver files; they must be manually uninstalled if necessary.

Re-Adding the Printer Later

If the need arises to re-add the printer, the HP Smart app makes it easy:

1. Open HP Smart and click on Add Printer.
2. Make sure your printer is powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your device.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to add and configure the printer again.

Hint: When re-adding, you’ll also have to reconfigure any preferences like Double-Sided Printing, Scan Shortcuts, and A4/Letter settings.

Final Thoughts

Keeping your HP Smart app clean and well-organized is a small task that goes a long way in reducing digital clutter. Whether you’ve upgraded printers, relocated, or are troubleshooting issues, removing a printer from HP Smart is a secure and straightforward process.

Just remember, deleting from the app doesn’t eliminate connected services or drivers—for full cleanup, include your OS in the process. With these steps, you’ll be in complete control of your print environment, ensuring it’s secure, current, and ready to meet your needs.