HP Device Manager shows Communication Error for no reason

[Vectorio]

HPLIP 3.11.12, Ubuntu 11.04 (up to date), HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 Plus.

Every 10 days or so, I start getting "communication errors" displayed by the HP Device manager. Experimenting around a bit showed that if I delete all my printers (actually just one, but it has a printer and a fax in the same device), restart the computer, and add the printer again, the printer is recognized correctly and printing works after that... for a few days. But this is of course a bit annoying.

Note that printing from Mac OS and Windows XP works without problems.

[goutam kodu (goutam-hplip)]

Hi Vectorio,

Thanks for reporting this bug here. Yes this need to be really concerned for the Linux drivers. I been working on it for a while.
This problem happens when the printer goes into sleep state (or not in use for long time) and the driver does not receive any message from the printer and the USB channel gets freezed . When you launch the toolbox it tries to query the printer to update the status and the channel doesn't get open for communication and hence gives the communication error.
Also this does not happen all the time when you have single print queue opened for this device in the system-config-printer utility.

Will be working on it and make this issue get fixed.

Thanks
Goutam

[Vectorio (gprofos)]

Hi *,

are there any updates on this?

please note the printer is connected via network, not USB.

thanks & regards,
Georg

Quoting / Zitat von goutamkk <email address hidden>:

> Hi Vectorio,
>
> Thanks for reporting this bug here. Yes this need to be really
> concerned for the Linux drivers. I been working on it for a while.
> This problem happens when the printer goes into sleep state (or not
> in use for long time) and the driver does not receive any message
> from the printer and the USB channel gets freezed . When you launch
> the toolbox it tries to query the printer to update the status and
> the channel doesn't get open for communication and hence gives the
> communication error.
> Also this does not happen all the time when you have single print
> queue opened for this device in the system-config-printer utility.
>
> Will be working on it and make this issue get fixed.
>
> Thanks
> Goutam
>
> ** Changed in: hplip
> Status: New => In Progress
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to the bug
> report.
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/920695
>
> Title:
> HP Device Manager shows Communication Error for no reason
>
> Status in HP Linux Imaging and Printing:
> In Progress
>
> Bug description:
> HPLIP 3.11.12, Ubuntu 11.04 (up to date), HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 Plus.
>
> Every 10 days or so, I start getting "communication errors" displayed
> by the HP Device manager. Experimenting around a bit showed that if I
> delete all my printers (actually just one, but it has a printer and a
> fax in the same device), restart the computer, and add the printer
> again, the printer is recognized correctly and printing works after
> that... for a few days. But this is of course a bit annoying.
>
> Note that printing from Mac OS and Windows XP works without problems.
>
> To manage notifications about this bug go to:
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/hplip/+bug/920695/+subscriptions

[goutam kodu (goutam-hplip)]

Hi,

Please provide us the "hp-check -t" command output.

Thanks,
Goutam

[Vectorio (gprofos)]

georg@zulia:~$ hp-check -t

HP Linux Imaging and Printing System (ver. 3.12.2)
Dependency/Version Check Utility ver. 14.3

Copyright (c) 2011-14 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, LP
This software comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY.
This is free software, and you are welcome to distribute it
under certain conditions. See COPYING file for more details.

Note: hp-check can be run in three modes:
1. Compile-time check mode (-c or --compile): Use this mode before
compiling the HPLIP supplied tarball (.tar.gz or .run) to determine if
the proper
dependencies are installed to successfully compile HPLIP.
2. Run-time check mode (-r or --run): Use this mode to determine if a
distro supplied package (.deb, .rpm, etc) or an already built HPLIP
supplied
tarball has the proper dependencies installed to successfully run.
3. Both compile- and run-time check mode (-b or --both) (Default):
This mode will check both of the above cases (both compile- and run-time
dependencies).

Saving output in log file: hp-check.log

Initializing. Please wait...

---------------
| SYSTEM INFO |
---------------

Basic system information:
Linux zulia 2.6.38-13-generic #55-Ubuntu SMP Tue Jan 24 14:27:59 UTC
2012 i686 i686 i386 GNU/Linux

Distribution:
ubuntu 11.04

Checking Python version...
OK, version 2.7.1 installed

Checking PyQt 4.x version...
OK, version 4.8.3 installed.

Checking for CUPS...
Status: scheduler is running
Version: 1.4.6
error_log is set to level: debug

Checking for dbus/python-dbus...
dbus daemon is running.
python-dbus version: 0.83.1

------------------------------------
| COMPILE AND RUNTIME DEPENDENCIES |
------------------------------------

note: To check for compile-time only dependencies, re-run hp-check
with the -c parameter (ie, hp-check -c).
note: To check for run-time only dependencies, re-run hp-check with
the -r parameter (ie, hp-check -r).

Checking for dependency: CUPS - Common Unix Printing System...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: CUPS devel- Common Unix Printing System
development files...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: CUPS image - CUPS image development files...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: DBus - Message bus system...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: gcc - GNU Project C and C++ Compiler...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: GhostScript - PostScript and PDF language
interpreter and previewer...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: libcrypto - OpenSSL cryptographic library...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: libjpeg - JPEG library...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: libnetsnmp-devel - SNMP networking library
development files...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: libpthread - POSIX threads library...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: libtool - Library building support services...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: libusb - USB library...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: make - GNU make utility to maintain groups of
programs...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: PIL - Python Imaging Library (required for
commandline scanning with hp-scan)...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: PolicyKit - Administrative policy framework...
OK, found.

Checking for dependency: PyQt...

[goutam kodu (goutam-hplip)]

The HPLIP installation looks fine from the hp-check log. Are you getting the same error even now when the device is configured over the network. Did you use "hp-setup" command to configure your printer over network ?

If its getting the device communication error please provide us the "hp-toolbox -g" command's terminal debug messages..

Thanks,
Goutam

[Vectorio (gprofos)]

Based on your earlier message below (1/24/12), my understanding was
that the problem was already known:

<<
Thanks for reporting this bug here. Yes this need to be really
concerned for the Linux drivers. I been working on it for a while.
This problem happens when the printer goes into sleep state (or not in
use for long time) and the driver does not receive any message from
the printer and the USB channel gets freezed . When you launch the
toolbox it tries to query the printer to update the status and the
channel doesn't get open for communication and hence gives the
communication error.
Also this does not happen all the time when you have single print
queue opened for this device in the system-config-printer utility.

Will be working on it and make this issue get fixed.

Thanks
Goutam
>>

Yes, I used hp-setup to configure the printer. Also, as soon as I have
the communication issue again, I would send the requested log output.

with thanks & kind regards,
Georg

Quoting / Zitat von goutamkk <email address hidden>:

> The HPLIP installation looks fine from the hp-check log. Are you getting
> the same error even now when the device is configured over the network.
> Did you use "hp-setup" command to configure your printer over network ?
>
> If its getting the device communication error please provide us the "hp-
> toolbox -g" command's terminal debug messages..
>
> Thanks,
> Goutam
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to the bug
> report.
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/920695
>
> Title:
> HP Device Manager shows Communication Error for no reason
>
> Status in HP Linux Imaging and Printing:
> In Progress
>
> Bug description:
> HPLIP 3.11.12, Ubuntu 11.04 (up to date), HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 Plus.
>
> Every 10 days or so, I start getting "communication errors" displayed
> by the HP Device manager. Experimenting around a bit showed that if I
> delete all my printers (actually just one, but it has a printer and a
> fax in the same device), restart the computer, and add the printer
> again, the printer is recognized correctly and printing works after
> that... for a few days. But this is of course a bit annoying.
>
> Note that printing from Mac OS and Windows XP works without problems.
>
> To manage notifications about this bug go to:
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/hplip/+bug/920695/+subscriptions

[Vectorio (gprofos)]

1. Please find the log below:

<<
georg@zulia:~$ hp-toolbox -g

HP Linux Imaging and Printing System (ver. 3.12.2)
HP Device Manager ver. 15.0

Copyright (c) 2001-9 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, LP
This software comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY.
This is free software, and you are welcome to distribute it
under certain conditions. See COPYING file for more details.

hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: Initializing toolbox UI (Qt4)...
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: HPLIP Version: 3.12.2
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: Loading user settings...
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: FAB command: /usr/bin/hp-fab
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: Scan command: /usr/bin/simple-scan %SANE_URI%
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: Auto refresh: True
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: Auto refresh rate: 30
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: Auto refresh type: 2
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: Systray visible: 0
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: Systray messages: 0
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: Last used device URI:
hpfax:/net/Officejet_Pro_8600?zc=dhcppc9
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: Last used printer: Officejet_Pro_8600
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: Working directory: .
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: Connecting to com.hplip.StatusService (try #1)...
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: Starting GUI loop...
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: Rescanning device list...
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: hp:/net/Officejet_Pro_8600?zc=dhcppc9:
back_end:hp is_hp:True bus:net model:Officejet_Pro_8600 serial:
dev_file: host:dhcppc9 zc:dhcppc9 port:1
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: Cache miss: officejet_pro_8600
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: Reading file:
/usr/share/hplip/data/models/models.dat
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: Searching for section
[officejet_pro_8600] in file /usr/share/hplip/data/models/models.dat
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: Found section [officejet_pro_8600] in
file /usr/share/hplip/data/models/models.dat
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: hpfax:/net/Officejet_Pro_8600?zc=dhcppc9:
back_end:hpfax is_hp:True bus:net model:Officejet_Pro_8600 serial:
dev_file: host:dhcppc9 zc:dhcppc9 port:1
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: Adds:
hpfax:/net/Officejet_Pro_8600?zc=dhcppc9,hp:/net/Officejet_Pro_8600?zc=dhcppc9
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: Removals (1):
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: Updates:
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: adding: hpfax:/net/Officejet_Pro_8600?zc=dhcppc9
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: Device URI:
hpfax:/net/Officejet_Pro_8600?zc=dhcppc9
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: Printer: None
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: hpfax:/net/Officejet_Pro_8600?zc=dhcppc9:
back_end:hpfax is_hp:True bus:net model:Officejet_Pro_8600 serial:
dev_file: host:dhcppc9 zc:dhcppc9 port:1
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: URI: backend=hpfax, is_hp=True, bus=net,
model=Officejet_Pro_8600, serial=, dev=, host=dhcppc9, port=1
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: Model/UI model: Officejet_Pro_8600/HP
Officejet Pro 8600
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: hpfax:/net/Officejet_Pro_8600?zc=dhcppc9:
back_end:hpfax is_hp:True bus:net model:Officejet_Pro_8600 serial:
dev_file: host:dhcppc9 zc:dhcppc9 port:1
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: Re-reading CUPS printer queue information.
hp-toolbox(UI)[3504]: debug: adding: hp:/net/Officejet_Pro_8600?zc=dhcppc9
hp-...

[goutam kodu (goutam-hplip)]

provide the output of command "lpc status". Make sure you have only one print and fax queue for your printer in system-config-printer.

Regards,
Goutam

[Vectorio (gprofos)]

1. find requested output below:

<<
georg@zulia:~$ lpc status
Officejet_Pro_8600:
 printer is on device 'hp' speed -1
 queuing is enabled
 printing is enabled
 no entries
 daemon present
Officejet_Pro_8600_fax:
 printer is on device 'hpfax' speed -1
 queuing is enabled
 printing is enabled
 no entries
 daemon present
georg@zulia:~$
>>

2. inform me how I can "make sure I have only one queue ...".
Screenshot of printers attached. I am not sure if that is what you need.

regards,
Georg

Quoting / Zitat von goutamkk <email address hidden>:

> provide the output of command "lpc status". Make sure you have only one
> print and fax queue for your printer in system-config-printer.
>
> Regards,
> Goutam
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to the bug
> report.
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/920695
>
> Title:
> HP Device Manager shows Communication Error for no reason
>
> Status in HP Linux Imaging and Printing:
> In Progress
>
> Bug description:
> HPLIP 3.11.12, Ubuntu 11.04 (up to date), HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 Plus.
>
> Every 10 days or so, I start getting "communication errors" displayed
> by the HP Device manager. Experimenting around a bit showed that if I
> delete all my printers (actually just one, but it has a printer and a
> fax in the same device), restart the computer, and add the printer
> again, the printer is recognized correctly and printing works after
> that... for a few days. But this is of course a bit annoying.
>
> Note that printing from Mac OS and Windows XP works without problems.
>
> To manage notifications about this bug go to:
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/hplip/+bug/920695/+subscriptions

[Vectorio (gprofos)]

I installed HPLIP 3.12.4, which improved things just a bit, but when printer is in power save mode, and a print job is sent, it fails. And so will any subsequent jobs even if printer taken out of power save manually. If I manually take the printer out of power save mode before sending a print job, it appeared to work.

Further support and SW updates will be appreciated.

[Vectorio (gprofos)]

dear sir, dear madam,

I just installed HPLIP 3.12.6. I use Ubuntu 11.10 and it is up to
date. The problem still persists! Please kindly advise. Further
troubleshooting may be needed.

Almost every time I print, I have to uninstall my printer, reboot my
computer, and install it again. This is somewhat less than efficient.

Your due attention will be appreciated.

with thanks / kind regards,
Georg Profos

Quoting / Zitat von goutamkk <email address hidden>:

> provide the output of command "lpc status". Make sure you have only one
> print and fax queue for your printer in system-config-printer.
>
> Regards,
> Goutam
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to the bug
> report.
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/920695
>
> Title:
> HP Device Manager shows Communication Error for no reason
>
> Status in HP Linux Imaging and Printing:
> In Progress
>
> Bug description:
> HPLIP 3.11.12, Ubuntu 11.04 (up to date), HP OfficeJet Pro 8600 Plus.
>
> Every 10 days or so, I start getting "communication errors" displayed
> by the HP Device manager. Experimenting around a bit showed that if I
> delete all my printers (actually just one, but it has a printer and a
> fax in the same device), restart the computer, and add the printer
> again, the printer is recognized correctly and printing works after
> that... for a few days. But this is of course a bit annoying.
>
> Note that printing from Mac OS and Windows XP works without problems.
>
> To manage notifications about this bug go to:
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/hplip/+bug/920695/+subscriptions

[Vectorio (gprofos)]

I would appreciate an update on this matter. I have seen that the priority is set to "undecided", which surprises me a bit since this problem was reported many months ago. On Mac and Windows, things work perfectly, but I bought this printer explicitly because it supports, or so it claims, the Linux OS.

I would be grateful if more attention could be given to this issue, and to have it solved in the next release.

with thanks & kind regards,
Georg Profos

[Vectorio (gprofos)]

Updated to 3.12.10a. Problem still persists.

[THG (tgnews)]

Hi Georg

I used to have messages regarding 'cummunication error' as well.

I'm only using the printer functionality, fax is not configured (and no phone cable attached).
When opening the "HP Device Manager", it choses the first in the list, which is the fax (at least in my case).
Then the Device Manager tries to communicate with the fax which is disabled and hence does not communicate back..
hence the error.
-> I was unsatisfied about these messages.

my solution was:
I have disabled the fax in the EWS (embedded web server).
Then I have removed the fax from the "HP Device Manager".

since then: no more 'communication errors'