rts-crfts,
Welcome to the HP Forum.
You only need a USB cable for your printer if your printer needs a USB cable to be able to print from your computer.
Many printers can connect to the computer wirelessly. If your All-in-One printer can connect either Wirelessly or using an Ethernet cable (like the cable you might use to connect your computer to your router), then you probably do not need a USB connection for the printer.
Just for the sake of argument, let us say that your mystery printer (one of the millions or printers in the world) does need a USB cable -- you do need a "USB Printer Cable" cable that is capable of sending / receiving the signals necessary. Not every USB cable is a USB Printer cable.
You can find a LOT of help at your printer's support page, including Full Feature Software, How-to documents, Troubleshooting guides, videos to help with installations and even changing the ink cartridges.
Start at HP Drivers & Downloads
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If you need to install the printer software onto your computer (and watch the video beforehand), see:
General Instructions to install the Printer Software
- Open HP Drivers & Downloads
- Enter your Printer Model information
- Select your Printer from the “Results” list
- Enter your Operating System in the Drop-down menu
- Click NEXT and Scroll down
- Look for category Driver - Product Installation Software
- Select the Basic Driver, e-print, or Full Feature Software
- Save the *.exe installation package(s) on your computer
The file(s) will likely save to the "Downloads “folder.
Next:
- If available, you may wish to download the Print and Scan Doctor and / or other programs from Category – Utilities
HINT:
Install the Utilities / Tools first; the little installation packages are smaller in size
- If you have ‘Admin’ control, you may highlight the package and “double-click” to install it, else Right-Click, Select run as Administrator and install.
NOTES:
- On the bottom half of the main webpage for your printer, you can find helpful videos to assist with the installation of the printer software!
- Scroll the video list back and forth until you find the video that most closely matches your situation.
- If using a USB connection: Download and install the driver software before connecting a USB cable.
- Ethernet: If the printer supports Ethernet, you may connect the printer to the network (and assign the printer an IP address at the router, if you like). Once the printer is connected to the network, be sure the printer is turned on and then install the printer software.
- After the initial installation is complete and working, be sure to check for and install any relevant updates - check Category - Update
There is valuable information at the printer’s website, including manuals, how-to pages, Troubleshooting and SOLUTIONS for problems, and alerts for your printer. Be sure to take an extended look at what’s available. Bookmark the page.
Click the KudosThumbs-Up!
It is a nice way to say “Thank You" for the help.
Although I strive to reflect HP's best practices, I do not work for HP.