laserjet 400 m401n fatal error when installing software - no driver available

[pcsguam]

Hi,

My network printer stopped working about 3 weeks ago on my HP desktop computer. Everything still works on my Dell desktop and Dell laptop. All the printers were grayed out (adobe pdf, fax microsoft print to pdf, microsoft xps document writer, send to onenote, and snagit 10). I removed all the printers from the print devices and tried to add the 400 m401n printer. Windows 10 found it and added it but there was no driver available in status. I deleted the printer.  I then downloaded the software and tried to install it. The software (wireless network connection)  had a fatal error at about the 20% point in the installation. I connected the printer to the HP desktop with a USB cable and tried to reinstall the software, it failed at the 99% mark. I also tried to install the printer with the HP print and scan doctor, but had a fatal error during the software install part of the program. I added the printer from the devices window again, but it showed no driver. I tried to update the driver by changing the printer configuration, but it said the best driver was already installed. When I clicked driver details, it said that no drivers are required or have been loaded. I downloaded easystart and tried to install again, but it disappeared when at the download software screen. The device manager shows the printer under other devices and again under software devices (multiple times) There is a root print queue, but no 400 m401n  print queue. Please help. Thanks.

[Repairatrooper]

As suggested to another user having problems, connect the 401 to your network with a wired ethernet connector. Once you have in IP address for the wired connection, manually install the 401 as a local printer on a standard TCP/IP port. Use the HP Universal Print Driver PCL6 Ver 6.7. If you search for my post for a 4525 printer with an MSI laptop I provide detailed instructions on how to set it up. The automatic installs have been problematic on Windows 10 and manually installing the printer is the most reliable option. 

[pcsguam · Accepted solution]

Thanks for your assistance. Unfortunately, the suggested fix did not work for me. I did, however, finally find a solution to the problem. I installed the May 2019 Windows Update to OS Build 18362.145 using the Microsoft Update Assistant and was able to add the LaserJet printer. I was also then able to add the Windows Print to PDF printer through Programs and Features - Turn Windows features on or off.