HP Smart App Not Working or Not Opening? How to Fix It

Published October 16, 2026 - by the hpsmart.cc editorial team

When HP Smart will not open, closes straight away, sits on a loading screen or simply stops responding, the cause is usually one of a few things: an outdated copy of the app, a sign-in problem, a damaged installation, or a device that no longer meets the app's requirements. There is also a newer reason that catches many people out: HP has replaced HP Smart with the HP app, so an old HP Smart installation may be the real problem. This guide covers the checks in order, from the quickest to the most thorough, for Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad and Android.

If the app opens normally but cannot see your printer, that is a different problem with its own fixes: see HP Smart not finding your printer.

First: HP Smart is now the HP app

According to HP's HP app page, the HP Smart app is no longer available for download, and print tasks are now done in the HP app, which combines features from HP Smart and myHP. On phones the existing store listing has simply been renamed, so updating the app moves you to the HP app. On a Mac the app is listed in the Mac App Store as "HP: Print and Support". On Windows, check the Microsoft Store listing for the current version. If you are still running an old copy of HP Smart that no longer updates, installing or updating to the HP app is the most useful single step. HP's printer setup guide says that if you sign in with the same HP account, the HP app should identify your printers and carry over your settings. Our HP Smart vs HP app comparison explains the change in more detail.

Quick checks for every device

Check your internet connection. HP lists internet access as a requirement for the HP app. A captive Wi-Fi page (hotel, campus), a paused connection or an aggressive content filter can leave the app stuck on its start screen.
Update the app. Install the latest version from the official store for your device. HP's troubleshooting advice for account and sign-in problems starts with updating the app.
Restart the device. A full restart clears background processes that a simple close-and-reopen leaves running.
Sign out and back in. HP suggests logging out and back in when the app has account problems, and trying Guest Mode first, then linking your HP account. HP says you do not need an HP account to use the HP app, but signing in is required for full functionality.
Update the device's operating system. The app needs a reasonably current system (see the table below), and store updates can stop arriving on older versions.

Minimum systems, according to HP and the app stores

Device	What is required	Where to get the app
Windows PC	Windows 10 (64-bit) or Windows 11, per HP	Microsoft Store
Mac	macOS 12.0 or later, per the Mac App Store listing	Mac App Store - HP: Print and Support
iPhone and iPad	iOS or iPadOS 17.0 or later, per the App Store listing	App Store - HP
Android phone or tablet	A version supported by the Google Play listing (shown on the listing)	Google Play, search for "HP" by HP Inc.

Requirements change with app updates, so treat the store listing as the final word. If your device is below the minimum, the app may install an older version, stop updating, or fail to start after a server-side change.

HP app not opening on Windows 11 or Windows 10

On a PC the app is a Microsoft Store app, so Windows has its own repair tools for it. Work through these in order:

Open the Microsoft Store, go to Library (or Downloads and updates) and install any update for the HP app.
Restart the PC, then open the app again before starting anything else.
Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find the HP app, open its Advanced options and choose Repair. Repair keeps your app data. If that does not help, use Reset, which clears the app's data, so you will need to sign in and add your printer again.
If the app still will not start, uninstall it, restart, and reinstall it from the Microsoft Store. HP's guide also recommends reinstalling the app on desktop when account problems persist.
Check that your security software is not blocking the app, and that your home Wi-Fi is set as a private network in Windows.

If the app opens but printing or scanning fails, HP's free HP Print and Scan Doctor for Windows looks for queue, driver and connection problems. Get it only from HP Customer Support. If the app cannot install the printer driver at all, HP suggests downloading the full driver package for your model from HP's support site and adding the printer through Windows settings; our HP app vs full software and drivers guide explains the difference.

HP app not working on a Mac

Update the app from the Mac App Store, where it is listed as "HP: Print and Support", and check that macOS is 12.0 or later.
Quit the app completely (Command-Q), then reopen it. If it hangs, use Force Quit from the Apple menu.
Delete the app from the Applications folder, restart, and reinstall it from the Mac App Store.
If printing is the problem rather than the app, HP's guide suggests resetting the macOS printing system and adding the printer again.

HP app not working on iPhone or iPad

Update the app in the App Store and make sure iOS or iPadOS is version 17.0 or later.
Close the app from the app switcher and reopen it, then restart the iPhone or iPad.
In Settings, find the HP app and check that Local Network and Bluetooth access are on. Without them the app may open but show no printer.
Delete and reinstall the app if it still crashes on launch, then sign in again.

HP app not working on Android

Update the app in Google Play.
Clear the app's cache: Settings > Apps > HP > Storage > Clear cache. HP recommends clearing the cache on mobile when the app misbehaves. Clearing storage (data) goes further and signs you out.
Check permissions for Nearby devices and Location, which Android uses for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning during setup.
Uninstall and reinstall the app if it keeps closing.

The app opens but nothing prints

HP's guide lists a short routine for a printer that shows as connected but does not print: check paper and ink or toner and clear any jams, cancel stuck jobs in the print queue, make sure the right printer is selected, and turn the printer off for 30 seconds before turning it on again. On Windows, run HP Print and Scan Doctor; on a Mac, reset the printing system and re-add the printer. If you print from a phone, our guide to printing from your phone covers AirPrint and Android's built-in printing as a fallback while you fix the app.

Symptom checklist

Symptom	Most likely cause	Try first
App closes as soon as it opens	Outdated or damaged install	Update, then Repair or reinstall
Stuck on the loading or sign-in screen	Connection or account problem	Check internet, sign out and in, try Guest Mode
Old HP Smart no longer updates	HP Smart has been replaced	Install or update to the HP app
App works, printer missing	Network or permissions	Printer not found fixes
Scan button does nothing	Printer offline or busy	Scanning guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my HP Smart app not working?

The usual causes are an outdated version, a sign-in or connection problem, a damaged installation, or a device below the minimum system. HP has also replaced HP Smart with the HP app, so updating or installing the HP app often fixes it.

Why is the HP Smart app not opening on Windows 11?

Update it in the Microsoft Store and restart the PC. If it still will not open, use Settings, Apps, Installed apps, Advanced options and choose Repair, then Reset, and reinstall it from the Microsoft Store if needed.

Is the HP Smart app discontinued?

HP says the HP Smart app is no longer available for download and that print tasks can be done in the HP app, which combines features from HP Smart and myHP.

Do I need an HP account for the app to work?

HP says you do not need an HP account to use the HP app, but signing in is required for full functionality. If sign-in fails, HP suggests trying Guest Mode first and linking your account later.

Where can I get official help if the app still fails?

Use HP Customer Support at support.hp.com or the support section inside the HP app. This site is an independent guide and does not offer support services.