I just updated my Avast Antivirus (Free version) and I had many issues… The first one was the multiple start/stop of the HPNetworkCommunicator (almost once per minute). After checking HP website, I did a full re-install of all HP software (& drivers). Now the printer is just blocked anytime I wanted to access it from my computer…
And to encure this is an avast issue, when I Disable every Avast Agent, I can get the printer working fine.
The printer is a HP Photosmart Series, connected through WiFi. And I can find the “allowance” for HP application in the new version.
Any help would be grantly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
Regards
UPDATE: After testing many agent, it seems the blocking one is the Suspicious Action Agent (Sorry, I am using the french version…). And even if i exclude the HP exe, it is still not working (working fine when disabling the only one agent for scan action)
A friend of mine started having this problem and notified me about 2 weeks ago. The only solution “I” can find is to turn off the Fire Wall
Now I am also having this problem. >:( >:(
This setup has been working for years, now suddenly my friend and I can’t print with the firewall on.
The printer IP address is listed in the Friends list…
I’ve tried “Allow Connections with Friends in Private Mode” ======== didn’t help.
I tried “ASK” under default policies --------- didn’t help.
My printer:
HP Officejet 6500 E710n-z (Network via Wifi)
I have 17.2.2288 (build 17.2.3419.64); still having the problem. I’m going to download and reinstall printer software just to see what happens. It didn’t help my friend, maybe it will help me.
Definitely the Firewall…
Problem solved by resetting to factory defaults!
“I” did not have to make any new rules; all I did was RESET to FACTORY DEFAULTS and the printer started working. I also rebooted the PC at Avast’s suggestion after resetting to factory defaults. It said some settings wouldn’t take place until I did.
Thanks for the help! Thanks to all of you! Now to my friends printer and see it works there too! ???
Okay, one more curiosity…
As the two screenshots show below, one shows the printer “not connected” and the other shows it ‘black’ not ‘gray’ which means it IS online. Maybe, just maybe it says it’s disconnected because it is on Wifi…? I never paid it much attention. Maybe I will have to connect a cable to see if it changes. Or maybe I’ll leave a working printer alone!
Moving your printer to a wired connection will not change wireless settings. I’d do just that just to see what changes. Since both are using AIS. set the firewall to notify you when a new default rule is created. Go and look at the new rule and write down settings if they are working correctly so you can revert if necessary.
Well, I can’t tell much but I can see a little different. I asked Avast to show me any new “allow” rules. The only thing it showed me was an install program when I plugged the USB cable in for the printer. And in Devices I can see when it is ONLINE but the other designation still shows it “not connected”. It’s confusing but it works…