"driver unavailable"

[deepantoja]

After the windows 10 update I tried to connect my printer and the computer tells me the driver is unavailable and uncompatible. 

I tried contacting HP and their only solution was to try and sell me a new printer. I am so frustrated with this. Someone please help me! 

I bought a USB to connect to the computer that way but I dont know how, it still wont print. 

[DavidSMP]

Hi @deepantoja,

Let me take a moment to thank you for posting your question in the HP community. I read the post about driver issues after a windows update.I will be more than happy to assist you here. Commendable description of the issue before posting.Kudos to you for that. 🙂

For better clarity and to assist you better I would require more information regarding this.

• DId you try uninstalling and reinstalling the printer software completely?

For now please try these steps:

• Uninstall the printer from "programs and features" which can be accessed by doing a right-click on the Windows button (Please have the printer Off and disconnected during uninstallation.)
• Check in device manager, if the printer is listed there, please delete it. (Right-click on the Windows button to access device manager)
• Go to devices and printers, select any printer listed there and you will get some options on the top. 
• Click on print server properties. 
• You will get a popup, click on the drivers tab and delete all the HP printer drivers listed there if any.
• Delete all the instances of your printer listed in devices and printers.
• Restart the PC.
• Once the PC is on the desktop, press Win + R, it would bring a Run dialog box, 
• Type %temp% in the run box and click Ok or hit the Enter button.
• It would bring up the temporary files folder. Delete the files in the folder (You might not be able to delete all the files).
• If possible, delete the printer from the registries using Regedit or using any other 3rd party application.
• Ignore the Regedit option if it cannot be done.
• Restart the PC again. 

Then create a new user account by following the steps from this link: http://hp.care/2rZfJBC

Then download the latest full feature driver from this link: http://hp.care/2umeaTd and install it on the computer after selecting the correct operating system.

Connect the printer to your computer only when the setup prompts for the printer. 

Then check if this does the trick for you.

If it does not work, please install the Windows built-in drivers by following instructions from this link: http://hp.care/2o3acvH and this should work for you.

If it still does not work, please install the universal printer driver which is the Deskjet 990c drivers by following the steps

• You could install this as follows: click Start, Control Panel, Printers and Faxes. Right Click on the HP Photosmart 8250Series, Properties, Advanced, New Driver, Next, select HP for the manufacturer and select HP Deskjet 990c as the printer, Next, Finish, Apply, General, (change the name back HP Photosmart 8250 Series or whatever you would like), OK.
• Then check if you can print.
• If you have difficulty to install the 990c printer driver follow the screenshots in this link:http://hp.care/2fZysfM and instead of selecting that printer when you come to the option HP Deskjet 990c, select that and install it. This should do the trick for you.

This will fix the printing issue.

• To scan you could use the HP Scan and capture app from this link: http://hp.care/2fAFYxE It has FAQs also.
•  
• The HP Smart app also prints and scan. Please check this link: http://hp.care/2ySwlC4 to download install and use it with FAQs

Please perform all these steps patiently as it is critical to resolving the issue. The trick is to remain patient, Going by your technical expertise and competence I am sure you will be able to perform these steps without breaking a sweat.

Hope this helps. Let me know how it goes. To simply say thanks, please click the "Thumbs Up" button to give me a Kudos to appreciate my efforts to help. If this helps, please mark this as “Accepted Solution” as it will help several others with the same issue to get it resolved without hassles.

Take care and have a blessed week ahead. 🙂

Cheers!