Laptop/Printer Compatibility

[JustGiveMeOne]

Running Windows 11 on an HP Spectre x360.  Up until last night (or this morning) I had no trouble printing to my HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M277dw through a USB cable connection.  Now the printer does not show as an available selection.  I've tried all the obvious stuff--reboots, checking connections, even tried to download an appropriate driver package from the HP website.  After sitting and watching the progress percentage increase for what seemed like forever and then stall at 99%, I got a critical error message.  

Is it Microsoft or HP that has engineered this designed obsolescence?

[Pallipurath]

Hi @JustGiveMeOne 

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query.

I understand how frustrating this can be, especially when the printer was working normally until recently.

Based on your description, this is unlikely to be a case of intentional obsolescence by either Microsoft or HP. Since the printer worked previously and then suddenly disappeared, the issue is more commonly caused by the following:

• A recent Windows Update that affected the USB printing stack or printer driver.
• A corrupted or incomplete printer driver installation, particularly since the HP installer stopped at 99% and reported a critical error.
• A USB communication issue, such as Windows no longer detecting the printer correctly.
• The Print Spooler service or Windows printing components becoming corrupted.

The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M277dw is supported on Windows 11, so it should continue to function with the appropriate drivers. I would request you to please follow the steps:

Verify whether Windows detects the printer:

• Disconnect the USB cable.
• Open Device Manager.
• Reconnect the printer and check whether a new device appears under Printers, Universal Serial Bus controllers, or Other devices.

Try a different USB cable or USB port, if available.

• Remove any existing M277dw printer entries from Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, then restart the PC.

Restart the Print Spooler service:

• Press Windows + R, type services.msc
• And Press Enter.
• Locate Print Spooler, right-click it, and select Restart.

If the HP software installation repeatedly fails, use HP Easy Start or install the printer using the built-in Windows driver by adding it manually through 

Settings > Printers & scanners > Add device.

Click here for Software and Drivers

Printer setup guide for:HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M277dw

Additionally, I would request you to please share:

• The exact critical error message you received,
• Whether the printer still appears in Device Manager, and
• Whether the printer is detected if connected via your network instead of USB (if applicable),

I can narrow down whether the issue is related to the Windows driver, the USB connection, or the printer software and suggest the most appropriate next steps.

Take care and have an amazing day!