Windows 10 Printer driver Office Jet 6968 All in One will not install

[Rob97]

I am unable to identify and download a driver for my HP Office Jet Pro 6968. After searching the HP.com site, I receive the message HP was,”… unable to retrieve the list of drivers for your product.”  At direction of an HP tech a driver was found using HP Smart . It is noted as the same driver as for 6950 but it failed to install Code 2053.  As a result, I am unable to print at all.

All Windows updates have been applied as well as all HP updates. The printer cartridges are new.

I have had 5 chats with 8 techs over the past two days, even performing a BIOS roll back without positive result. Two chats were suddenly terminated and not by me. 

Approaching wits' end. 🙂

[Dragon-Fur]

@Rob97 

(Latest) Firefox is being stubborn - "No drivers" message.  No comment - Love / Hate Firefox.

Edge is still working (at this writing and from my location):

Source

Software and Drivers

Driver page

Full Feature Software / HP OfficeJet Pro 6960 All-in-One Print and Scan Driver and Accessories

From 2017

OJ6960_Full_WebPack_40.11.1150.exe (164.7 MB)

I cannot comment on "noted as same driver as for 6950".

Consider:

Offline Doctor V5.0.6

• Download and Save the doctor to your computer
• Open File Explorer > Navigate to the folder in which you saved the file (likely Downloads)
• Execute the doctor – Answer any prompts /  let the process complete
• Restart the computer, log in, and wait for the final steps in the Doctor to finish.
• Check for any difference.

  Version = V5.0.6

  HPPSdr.exe

NOTES – Contributed by ShlomiL

Paraphrased

Use of Print and Scan Doctor Version 5.0.6 creates a secondary queue for printing with TCP/IP port.

Check

If necessary, Adjust the “Default” printing device (Default Printer)

Open Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers

Right-Click on the printer NOT marked as “Scan Only / DO NOT DELETE”

Set printer as Default

Example – Printers listed in Devices and Printers

Printer = HP OfficeJet Pro 9020 series PCL-3 <<< Set main printer as “Default”

Printer = Scan Only -HP OfficeJet Pro 9020 series PCL-3 (Network)-DO NOT DELETE

=================================================================

AND / OR

If the Full Feature Software exists on your computer, remove (uninstall) it and check / remove all the rest of the related "bits" that the uninstall process may miss.

Note the following provides a multitude of places to check / remove software. 

The most likely "culprits" needing a check:

• Printer Software – Blocked in Security Software

and

•  Print Server Properties  / Printers in Print Manager

--- Start ---

Download and save the printer software - do not yet try and install it...

The Detailed Procedure – “All the bits and extra steps”

Start - “All the bits”

Printer Software – Blocked in Security Software

Check your Security Software to make sure the printer software is not being blocked.  Most Security software will allow you to make an exception for applications / software you want to use on your computer.

If you make changes to the security software setup, Restart your computer and log in.

Uninstall Existing Printer Software

Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features >

Find / Select > Uninstall the printer software

If printer software will not uninstall, appears to be removed “but not”

➡️Microsoft:  Fix problems that block programs from being installed or removed

After the software is removed, Restart the computer and log in

Check and Remove Section

➡️NOTE:  After all checks > If any devices are removed, Restart the computer and log in

Check / Remove - Printer Drivers – Lurking in Devices and Printers

Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers

Left-Click on any unwanted Printer found in the Printers list

(Top Ribbon) Click Print Server Properties > tab Drivers

Select each unwanted entry > Remove > OK to exit menu

Back in Devices and Printers > Right-Click on the printer > Remove Device

Check / Remove – Print Server Properties  / Printers in Print Manager

Method – Print Server Properties

Windows key + r (opens "run" window) > type/paste printui.exe /s /t2

 Left-Click on each unwanted printer entry in the list > Highlight and Remove

Click OK to save changes and exit the menu

OR

Method – Print Management

Windows key + r (opens "run" window) > type printmanagement

Open Section Print Servers > Subsection Your computer (Local) > Subsection Drivers

Right-Click on each printer entry to Highlight and Delete

Delete / remove every instance of every printer entry you find in the list 

Check / Remove – Printer folder/files in C:\ ProgramData

Contributed by HP Support Agent  Betty0610

Open File Explorer > Navigate to C:\ProgramData > Open folder Hewlett Packard

Delete any Printer related folders / files

Check / Remove - Printer Software – Lurking in the Device Manager

Control Panel > icon view > Device Manager

Expand category Printers

If any unwanted printer name or “Unknown Device” is listed,

Right-Click on the printer / device > Uninstall

Expand category Imaging Devices

If any unwanted printer name or “Unknown Device” is listed,

Right-Click on the printer / device > Uninstall

Check / Remove  - Printer Software – Lurking in the User Account

Clear HP / files in Temp folder

Windows key + X + R (Run command) > type %temp%

Delete the files in the Temp folder (Ignore files that cannot be removed)

Clear HP Printer mention in AppData\Local\HP

Open File Explorer > Navigate to C:\Users\YourAccount\AppData\Local\HP

Remove / Delete any folder named for the printer you wish to remove

End Check and Remove Section

After all checks > If any devices are removed, Restart the computer and log in

======================================================

Installation – Full Feature Software

• Open Category Software and Drivers (possibly subcategory Software-Utility) in your printer Support Website  
• Download-and-Save the Full Feature Software / Print and Scan Driver and Accessories or HP Easy Start Printer Setup for your Operating System version.

• Open File Explorer
• Navigate to the folder in which you saved the installation file  (likely Downloads)
• Right-Click on the installation package and “Run as Administrator”
• After the software is installed, Restart the computer and log in

NOTES

If using USB, disconnect the USB cable between the printer and the computer before starting the installation.  Connect the cable when instructed to do so (toward the end of the installation procedure).

===================================================

Installation - Optional / Extras

Method – Add printer using TCP/IP

Please try adding the printer using the printer’s IP address

Find the IP Address of the printer on the Printer control panel (touch Wireless button)

Control Panel > icon view Devices and Printers

Click in the top ribbon, Add a Printer

Wait till the menu starts…
Select / Click The printer that I want isn’t listed
Select / Click Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname

Select / Click Next
Device Type > Select in Drop-Down Menu:  TCP/IP Device

Hostname or IP Address > Enter the IP Address of the printer

(Skip Port Name)

Select / Click Next

More information may be needed.

OR

Method - Create TCP IP port

** Install – Optional - Port Issues - Create a TCP/IP port **

TCP/IP can resolve odd connection, scanning, and installation problems.

Create / Switch to a TCP/IP Port to facilitate communication and prevent ‘offline’ issues

How-to “Create TCP Port” Contributed by  greenturtle:

1. 
   
   1. Print a Configuration Page to get the printer's IPv4 address (you can also tap on the wireless icon on the Front panel of your Printer to get the IP address)
   2. On your PC, go to Control Panel, from Devices and Printers, Right-Click the printer and Left-Click Printer Properties, select the Ports tab.
   3. Click Add Port, select Standard TCP/IP Port, then select New Port and follow the wizard.
   4. Type in the proper IP address for the printer.
   
   This video resource will show you how to do it:
   Create & Use TCP IP port
   
   Note that you can ALWAYS revert back to the original port that the HP software installed by selecting the HP port under the Ports tab (in Printer Properties)

Reference and Resources – (More) Places to find help, solve problems, and learn how to use your Printer

Printer Homepage – “Things that are your printer”

NOTE:  Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories:  Alerts, Access to the Print and Scan Doctor (Windows), Warranty Check, HP Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, Lots of How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, User Guides / Manuals, Product Information (Specifications), more

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

HP OfficeJet Pro 6968 All-in-One Printer

Thank you for participating in our HP Community.

We are a world community of volunteers dedicated to supporting HP technology

Click Thumbs Up to say Thank You!

Answered? Click "Accept as Solution" to help others find it.

[Rob97 · Accepted solution]

Thanks for your extensive response.  The problem was resolved with a system restore (!).  I had not considered and none of the HP chat techs inquired or suggested it. My bad... 

[Dragon-Fur]

@Rob97 

You are welcome.

Yeah, I don't usually start with System Restore.  Smiling.

Happy Printing.

Stay Safe.

Thank you for participating in our HP Community.

We are a world community of volunteers dedicated to supporting HP technology

Click Thumbs Up to say Thank You!

Answered? Click "Accept as Solution" to help others find it.