Hi! I understand your HP 4200 printer is not working when connected through our VPN. To get started, could you tell me if your printer is connected via Wi-Fi or USB cable to your Windows 10 PC? Also, do you get any error messages when trying to print while the VPN is on?

Generally, VPNs restrict local network access, which can cause printers on your LAN (local area network) to appear offline while connected to the VPN. Here’s a step-by-step approach I recommend:

1. Pause VPN and Test Printing: Temporarily disconnect or pause the VPN and try printing. If printing works, then the VPN is indeed causing the conflict.

2. Allow Local Network Access Within VPN Settings: Some VPN apps have settings to allow local network access or split tunneling. Check your VPN app’s settings on your Windows 10 device and enable any options like “Allow LAN access” or “Split tunneling” and add your printer or printer app to the exception list.

3. Use the HP Smart App: Installing the HP Smart App on your Windows 10 system can sometimes help manage the printer connection even when VPN is active. Download it from the Microsoft Store and follow setup instructions.

4. Assign a Static IP to Your Printer: If your printer’s IP changes frequently, assign a static IP in your router’s DHCP settings, then configure the printer connection on your PC using that fixed IP. This can sometimes help maintain connectivity through VPNs.

5. Connect via USB Instead of Wi-Fi (If Possible): If your printer supports USB, connecting via cable can bypass network issues caused by VPN access restrictions.

If you can share which VPN app you’re using, I can guide you through specific settings. Also, let me know if you have already tried any of these steps so I can suggest more advanced troubleshooting.

Would you like me to help you check VPN settings or assist with installing the HP Smart app next?

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It's USB Windows 11 PIA - VPN

Thanks for the info! Since your HP 4200 printer is connected via USB and you’re using Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN on Windows 11, the issue likely isn’t with network printer discovery (which VPNs usually affect) but could be related to how VPN affects local device drivers or Windows device access.

Let me guide you through some tailored steps for this setup:

1. Confirm USB Printer Works Without VPN:
Disconnect or turn off PIA VPN and try printing a test page. This confirms the printer works normally with Windows 11 over USB.

2. Run PIA VPN with Administrative Rights:
Sometimes VPN software without admin rights restricts local device access. Right-click the PIA app icon and select “Run as administrator,” then connect to VPN and try printing.

3. Check PIA Split Tunneling Settings:
PIA supports split tunneling, which can allow certain apps or device access to bypass the VPN.
- Open PIA app on Windows 11
- Go to Settings > Split Tunneling
- Add the HP printer app or Windows print spooler services (like spoolsv.exe) to the exception list so printer traffic bypasses VPN.

4. Disable VPN’s Network Isolation for USB Devices:
PIA sometimes creates virtual network adapters that isolate devices. Ensure that in the PIA settings, no options explicitly block USB or local device access are enabled.

5. Update Printer Drivers and PIA App:
Make sure your HP 4200 drivers on Windows 11 are the latest from HP’s website. Equally, update your PIA VPN app to the latest version from the official PIA download page 1 2.

6. Test Another USB Port and Cable:
Although less common, USB port or cable issues might become more apparent when VPN changes device communication. Try a different USB port and cable.

If after these steps the printer still fails through PIA VPN, it could be a nuanced VPN-device interaction. In that case, I’d recommend contacting PIA support with details about USB device issues under Windows 11 VPN usage—they can assist with advanced settings or logs.

Would you like me to help you configure split tunneling in your PIA app now? Or assist with driver updates for your HP 4200 on Windows 11?

Would sure like to Print those instructions BUT CAN'T - print worked on Gmail but all day to get 4 pages at Schwab? I never disable my PIA and would hate to go local

I see—it sounds like printing web pages from certain sites like Schwab is problematic while your PIA VPN is enabled, even though printing from Gmail works fine. You also prefer not to disable PIA just to print. That’s a good approach to keep your VPN protection active!

Here’s what’s likely happening: The VPN can interfere with communication between your browser and the printer, especially for sites with complex printing scripts like Schwab’s pages. Gmail’s simpler print job might work fine while VPN is on, but Schwab’s print requests get blocked or delayed.

Here’s a plan to help you print Schwab pages without disabling PIA:

1. Enable “Allow LAN Traffic” in PIA
Make sure this option is ON in the PIA app settings. It allows devices on your local network (like your USB printer connected to your PC) to be accessible even when VPN is active. You said you never disable PIA, so this is crucial.

2. Use PIA’s Split Tunneling
Add your browser (e.g., Chrome or Edge) to PIA’s split tunneling exception list so its traffic bypasses VPN. This lets your browser communicate locally for printing without exposing all your internet traffic. Steps:
- Open the PIA app > Settings > Split Tunneling
- Select “Manage split tunneling” and add your browser executable (e.g., chrome.exe)
- Save and reconnect VPN

3. Save Schwab Pages as PDF and Print Locally
Since you want to print the instructions, you could save them as a PDF (using the built-in “Print to PDF” option in Windows 11) while VPN is on, then open and print the PDF outside the browser or from a PDF reader. This sometimes bypasses print script issues.

4. Try Printing from a Different Browser
Sometimes browser-specific conflicts with VPN and printing happen. Try using another browser like Edge, Firefox, or Chrome to print from Schwab.

5. Update PIA and Browser
Ensure both your PIA app and browser are up-to-date. Sometimes fixes are included for VPN-device interactions.

If these don’t resolve the problem, the issue might be how PIA filters or blocks some printing data packets for certain websites. In that case, contacting PIA support could help, as they don’t currently have a direct fix beyond toggling LAN traffic or split tunneling1.

Would you like me to walk you through setting up split tunneling or saving the Schwab instructions as a PDF to print more reliably?

Guess what Pierre: I just printed your page 3 instructions on my HP4200 but it drug along 4 blank pages with it, I did get the one I needed. Thanks a Lot ! - I'd say Your smarter than the average Pierre ! ! !

Hey! Glad to hear you got the main instructions printed, even with a few extra blank pages tagging along. Those blank pages can definitely be a bit mysterious, especially when printing through a VPN.

Since you're seeing extra blank pages with your HP 4200 printer while connected to PIA VPN, here are some focused troubleshooting tips that might help reduce or eliminate those blank pages:

1. Check Printer Driver and Print Settings:
Sometimes the printer driver or print preferences can cause extra blank pages. Make sure your HP 4200 printer driver is updated to the latest Windows 11 compatible version from HP's official site. Also, look in the print dialog box before printing:
- Check the “Pages to Print” setting (print only the needed pages).
- Disable any “Print Separator Page” or “Print Test Page” options.
- Set the page size and orientation correctly.

2. Use HP Print and Scan Doctor:
HP offers a free diagnostic tool (HP Print and Scan Doctor) that can detect and fix common printing issues, including blank pages or communication glitches, which might be influenced by running VPN software. You can download it directly from HP Support and run it on your Windows 11 system.

3. Check Ink Levels and Cartridge Status:
Although you’re printing one page correctly, low or faulty cartridges can sometimes print blank pages intermittently. Use the HP Smart app or printer control panel to verify ink levels. Replace any cartridges that are low or problematic.

4. Clear Printer Spooler and Pending Jobs:
Sometimes the Windows print spooler (which manages print jobs) gets stuck or corrupted, causing blank pages. You can restart it:
- Open Services (type "services.msc" in Start).
- Find “Print Spooler,” right-click and select “Restart.”
- Then try printing again with VPN on.

5. Enable Split Tunneling for Browser/Print Traffic on PIA:
Since you print from web pages, adding your browser (e.g., Chrome) to PIA’s split tunneling exceptions can help the print job communicate better without fully disabling VPN. This may also reduce blank page errors.

6. Print to PDF and Then Print the PDF:
Sometimes printing directly from web pages over VPN causes formatting issues resulting in extra blank pages. Instead, “Print to PDF” first, open the PDF in a reader, and print the document. This often ensures cleaner printouts.

7. Test Printing Outside VPN Temporarily for Comparison:
If possible, print the same document with VPN disconnected. If no extra blank pages appear, then the VPN's network alterations might be influencing the print job’s data somehow.

If these steps don't clear up the extra blank pages, it might be worth running a full printer hardware test from the device panel itself (most HP 4200 models support a self-test page). Also, keep your PIA VPN and printer drivers fully updated.

For a detailed guide on blank pages for HP 4200 printers, you can check HP's official support pages or HP forums—they usually have very useful insights and community advice1 2.

Would you like me to help you update drivers, run HP Print and Scan Doctor, or set up split tunneling in PIA to address this? Just let me know!