Good day, my HP PSC 1402 printer is connected but is not working. It has worked for years until now.

I am using Mint 17 64 bit, and tried the printer on three USB ports and three different documents. This system printed before and is configured and attempts were made before and after updating.

Next to the update icon in the lower tray, is a printer symbol, with a red box on it and in a white space a N or X, very small.

Is there any means to fix this printer issue?

Which desktop environment? I'm not familiar with Mint, but I know that HPLIP provides a buch of good utilities that may help with any diagnosis. In particular, running the following command might be helpful

Same thing here, man. Maybe find an alternative way to deal with the issue. I've been noticing some issues with various programs, as if the government is screwing with stuff. Might have to do with that bash bug found a while back, perhaps some kind of national/international firesell/lockdown. I've been trying to investigate it, but I'm not sure.

http://diehard.wikia.com/wiki/Fire_Sale

If all else fails, there are other methods. Just remember your hacking background.

I just got a "same thing here" response in relation to a USB flash drive.

I noticed some B.S. email stuff during that NSA invasion stuff. Something is going on, and I can't identify what it is. Something is off. Feel free to call me paranoid, but when I can't go about using technology for personal reason because its software keeps breaking down, I keep thinking someone doesn't want me to have privacy.

@Novation: I found a bug report describing similar problems with those using the Mate desktop. In particular, post #8 describes the icon wit a red x, but the actual printing functionality seems to be working okay. If it isn't for you, I suggest starting over (if necessary)

http://hplipopensource.com/hplip-web/install.html

and using [hp-setup' to configure the printer.

*This won't fix the 'system-config-printer-applet' issue, but in any case 'hp-systray' is probably a better tool for HP printers anyway.

HPLIP is in the Mint repos. Note that HPLIP and the HPLIP GUI are generally two different packages. If you want to use the GUI interface, you will need them both.

I have found HPLIP to be extremely reliable over the years.

Thanks, my mum uses this computer and must have screwed something up. It printed 24 hours later and now works as per normal.

So, nothing was done... except maybe a reboot?

No reboot, just a delay.