HP Laserjet M426fdn driver & installer error

[JIT_admin2026]

Hello, 

There seems to be an issue with the full solution installer for the HP Laserjet MFP 426fdn printer. When running and prompted to plug in the printer, the installer takes a while and once it gets to 99%, it errors out with a fatal error (see screenshot). Also, the settings menu only seems to detect the printer as a scanner and not a full printer & Scanner as we don't seem to be having this issue with the HP Laserjet pro MFP M428fdn series. We believe that a windows update a while back seems to be causing this as this started back in May. Things I've already tried:

Restarting the computer

restarting the printer

restarting the print spooler in the services

re-downloading the installer from HP's website

Using device manager to select the driver, but it only shows as a scanner under Imaging devices.

Please advise. 

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @JIT_admin2026,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thank you for sharing the screenshots and outlining the troubleshooting you have already performed. The installer is failing with a fatal error at 99%, and Windows is detecting the HP LaserJet MFP M426fdn as a scanner rather than a complete printer and scanner device.

Before recommending further driver troubleshooting, could you please confirm a few details?

Are you using Windows 10 or Windows 11? If possible, press Windows + R, type winver, and share the Windows version and OS build.

Is the M426fdn connected directly to the computer through USB or through your network using Ethernet?

What is the full name or version of the HP driver installer you downloaded? Also, does the fatal error appear only when the installer reaches 99%?

Under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, does the M426fdn appear anywhere as a printer, or is it listed only as a scanner?

Since restarting the devices, restarting the Print Spooler, and downloading the installer again have not resolved the issue, I would avoid repeating those steps for now.

Once we have these details, we can narrow down whether the issue is related to the Windows print-driver installation, the connection method, or the installer itself.

Best regards,
Kuroi_Kenshi

[jwilson_2026]

I am using Windows 11 build 26300.9711. This issue is also happening on 26200.9711 on other devices as well as this issue started back in May. The printer connects via the USB port and the installer is HP_LJ_Pro_MFP_M426f-M427f-PCL6_v3_Win8plus_Full_Solution-22049_103-2. The M426fdn does appear, but only as a scanner. When running the installer, when prompted to plug in the printer, it detects it, but it takes a long time and once it eventually reaches 99% it gives the fatal error.