hp-clean

hp-clean

The `hp-clean` command is a utility primarily used in Linux environments to remove HP printer queues, configurations, and related data. It's part of the HP Linux Imaging and Printing (HPLIP) software suite.

Running `hp-clean` effectively resets the HP printer setup on a system. This is useful when troubleshooting printer problems, resolving conflicts after driver updates, or completely removing a printer from the system. The command cleans up printer queues, removes printer configurations from the system, and attempts to eliminate associated files that HPLIP created during printer installation or usage. It's a system-wide tool and requires root privileges to operate effectively.

This command will remove all HP printer configurations on your system. Use with caution. It requires root privileges to run.

Common use case: After upgrading HPLIP, or changing printer connections and experiencing printing issues. Running `hp-clean` and then re-running `hp-setup` can often resolve these problems.

The impact of running `hp-clean` is that you will need to re-run `hp-setup` for each HP printer you intend to use. Make sure that you have valid user credentials and you know the location or connection information for your printer.

The `hp-clean` command has evolved with the HPLIP software suite. HPLIP was created to provide a comprehensive, open-source solution for HP printer support in Linux. `hp-clean` was introduced as a troubleshooting tool to manage the increasing complexity of printer configurations in Linux systems, especially as HPLIP gained popularity and supported a growing range of HP printer models. As such `hp-clean` became a staple utility to resolve issues arising from configuration updates, printer removal, and initial setups.

hp-setup(1), hp-toolbox(1), lpstat(1), cancel(1)