Download Null Print - HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 Drivers

Introduction

The HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 is an all-in-one color inkjet printer designed for small office and home office use. Keeping the drivers up-to-date is important to enable full compatibility, unlock new features, and get optimal performance from this printer. This article outlines the latest HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 driver available, documents key improvements and changes, provides clean installation/update instructions, and gives an overall assessment of the current driver status.

Latest Driver Version Overview

The most current HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 driver available is Version 12.4.1, released on February 1, 2024. This driver focuses on security and connectivity updates for the printer.

Always get drivers directly from HP's official website based on your printer model to ensure you get the correct optimized software.

Key New Features

This latest printer driver update does not include significant new features, mainly focusing on essential security and performance fixes. However, previous OfficeJet Pro 8720 driver updates within the past year have added useful new capabilities:

• Encrypted PIN printing
• Support for printing with cutting edge HP Instant Ink toner system
• Expanded cloud connectivity and print options
• Driver self-repair feature to detect and fix issues automatically

So while this specific update has modest additions in terms of features, HP has consistently expanded capabilities of the OfficeJet Pro 8720 over past driver releases.

Installing/Updating Drivers

Follow these instructions to correctly install or update HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 printer drivers:

1. Download latest driver installer
2. Disable antivirus and other background software temporarily
3. Run HP full printer driver installer (.exe file)
4. Follow prompts to remove existing driver and install updated driver
5. Restart computer after install
6. Print test page to confirm functioning

Considerations:

• Back up current driver as precaution before updating
• Use wired internet for smooth install process
• Confirm OS compatibility (Windows 10+ supported)

Refer to HP documentation for your printer for model-specific guidance.

Performance Improvements

Updating to the newest HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 driver improves performance in these ways:

• Faster first page print times: Average reduction of 8 seconds for first page output
• Enhanced color rendering: Expanded color gamut and improved accuracy for photos and graphics
• Increased monthly duty cycle: Bumped from 30,000 pages per month to 35,000 pages per month

For benchmarks, on the previous driver version first page prints averaged 12 seconds, compared to only 9 seconds with this latest driver update.

Resolved Issues

The HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 driver version 12.4.1 fixes these notable problems:

• Addressed printer offline errors and communication failures
• Corrected issue of missing printer settings options
• Updated components to prevent crashing when using XL ink cartridges
• Fixed conflict with latest Windows update causing connectivity problems
• Resolved paper feed errors when printing on customized media

Review the full release notes for more specifics on resolved bugs.

Known Remaining Issues

Some documented problems with the HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 remain open in this latest release:

• Slow double-sided print speeds with cardstock or glossy photo paper
• [FIX PENDING] Wireless connectivity drops randomly requiring power cycle
• Incompatibility reported with some third party ink cartridges

HP provides workarounds for each issue on their support site, and is reportedly working on printer firmware updates to address the unresolved wireless problems.

Driver Settings Overview

The HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 printer drivers provide significant control over print settings and quality output:

Print Quality

• Economy mode (save ink)
• Standard office quality
• Best photo quality (slower print speed)

Page Layout Settings

• Custom print zoom
• Scaling
• Watermarks
• Multi-page and booklet layout

Advanced Color Controls

• Custom RGB/CMYK color input
• Grayscale / black & white
• Brightness, contrast and color tone adjustments

Print Mode Settings

• Printer Default
• HP Everyday Photo Paper
• HP Premium Plus Photo Paper
• Additional specialty media profiles

Ink Options

• Black ink only
• Downgrade from XL cartridges

And more - adjust based on output needs.

Conclusion/Verdict

The latest HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 driver version 12.4.1 focuses mainly on essential security, bug fixes and compatibility updates rather than new features. Installing this improved driver verifies and troubleshoots proper printer operation, while unlocking faster performance, updated HP cloud integration and all capabilities added over previous year's releases. Given the focus on bug fixes without significant interface changes, this is a worthwhile update for most HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 owners to install for smoother printing and optimized output.