Printer App Update Wiped My Settings – Fix
A printer app update can reset or delete saved settings like scan profiles or paper sizes. The fix is restoring a backup or reapplying settings from the vendor's utility.
Quick answer
Restore from the vendor's backup file if you have one, or reapply settings manually via the printer's web interface or vendor utility. Skip restarting the printer first — that rarely helps here.
Why this happens
When your printer manufacturer pushes an app update — like HP Smart, Epson ScanSmart, or Brother iPrint&Scan — the update sometimes replaces the app's database or config files. The culprit is almost always the update overwriting the local settings store without migrating old profiles. I've seen this happen most often with HP Smart version 22.1+ and Epson ScanSmart after major version bumps (e.g., 5.x to 6.x). The app treats the update as a fresh install and ignores your previous customizations — scan resolutions, paper sizes, book scan settings, all gone.
Fix it: numbered steps
- Check for a backup file — Open the app's settings (gear icon). Look for a "Restore" or "Import" option. If you see it, browse to a backup file you might have saved earlier (usually a
.prfor.xmlfile). No backup? Move to step 2. - Reapply settings via the printer's web interface — Open a browser and go to your printer's IP address (find it on the printer's LCD under Network or Wi-Fi). Log in (default creds are often
admin/password). Under Settings, re-enter your custom paper sizes, scan profiles, and network preferences. This bypasses the app entirely and stores them on the printer itself. - Uninstall and reinstall the app — On Windows, go to Apps > Apps & features, find the app (e.g., HP Smart), click Uninstall. Then download the latest version from the manufacturer's site — not from the Microsoft Store if that's where you got it; direct download often preserves more settings. Install and sign in again.
- Manually copy settings from a known good profile — If you have another PC with the same printer and the settings are still fine there, export its settings (look for Export in the app's menu) and import them on your machine.
- Last resort: factory reset the printer and start fresh — This is a pain, but if the app keeps corrupting settings, wipe the printer's memory first (Settings > Restore Defaults). Then re-apply everything from scratch. Takes about 20 minutes.
If the main fix fails
Try these alternatives:
- Roll back the app update — On Windows, go to Settings > Update & Security > View update history > Uninstall updates. Find the printer app update (e.g., KB numbers for HP Smart) and remove it. Reboot. The old settings might reappear.
- Use a different printer driver — Switch from the vendor's full-featured driver to the built-in Microsoft driver. You lose some features, but it won't reset your settings. Go to Devices > Printers & scanners, select your printer, click Manage > Printer properties > Advanced > New Driver.
- Block future app updates — In the app's settings, disable automatic updates. Or on Windows, use Group Policy to block updates for that specific app if you're on Pro/Enterprise.
Prevention tip
Before any app update, export your settings as a backup file. Most vendor apps have an Export button under Settings or Tools. Save that file somewhere outside the app's folder — like your Documents directory or a cloud drive. Takes 10 seconds and saves you a half hour of reconfiguring. Also, set a reminder to do this after you've made changes; don't rely on the app remembering them.
Real-world example: Last week, an update to HP Smart version 22.2.0 blew away a user's custom 4x6 photo print profiles and scan-to-email settings. They had a backup from two weeks earlier — restored in 30 seconds.
If your app vendor doesn't offer an export feature, take screenshots of every settings page. It's a hack but it works.
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