Can't print after installing Win11, then reverting to Win10

[judygriffin]

I installed Windows 11, didn't like it and reverted to Windows 10 Home Edition.  Trying to print from Word (and other apps), message says there is no printer installed.  I deleted, uninstalled and reinstalled the full feature software for the printer.  No change.  HP Print Doctor found no problem, but the test page wouldn't print.  Print Doctor suggested printing an "internal" test page, and that worked.  Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

[Dragon-Fur]

@judygriffin 

Try / Consider

Changing the printer connection type might solve the problem.

Try a clean re-install of the printer software.

If the printer software is still installed (Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features),

Change the printer connection type to TCP/IP

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:

Print a Configuration Page to get the printer's IPv4 address  

      OR Tap on the wireless icon on the Front panel of your Printer to get the IP address

On your PC, Open Control Panel, from Devices and Printers, Right-Click the printer and Left-Click Printer Properties, select the Ports tab.

Click Add Port > Select Standard TCP/IP Port > Select New Port and follow the wizard.

Type in the proper IP address for the printer.

How-to “Create TCP Port” Video Contributed by  greenturtle
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 within the Ports tab (in Printer Properties)

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Not enough?

Uninstall the printer software

Restart the computer and log in

Check and Remove any "bits of software" for the printer still lurking in the Operating System.

Restart the computer and log in

Install a fresh copy of the Full Feature Software / full driver printer software

Details / How-to / Examples

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

Use this method when there are problems reinstalling the software.

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 (Full Feature Software)

Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features >

Find / Select > Uninstall the printer software

Restart the computer and log in

If software will not uninstall, appears to be removed and is “still hanging around” after you uninstall / Restart...

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

OR

Revo Uninstaller (Free version)

then

Restart the computer and log in

Check and Remove Section

Reminder: After all checks > If any changes are made > 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 – Printer folder/files in C:\ ProgramData

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)

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

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

Manual Queue Reset

Details…

Control Panel > icon view > Administrative Tools > Services

Scroll down, find, Right-Click, and Stop Print Spooler Service

Open File Explorer (formally Windows Explorer)

Navigate to the folder and Delete the files from folder C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS

Back in Services …

Start Print Spooler Service

End Check and Remove Section

After all checks are completed > Restart the computer and log in

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Your Printer Software installation package

HP ENVY 7640 e-All-in-One Printer series Full Feature Software and Drivers 

Installation – Full Feature Software

• 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).

Optional method for supported printers

Printer Software - Easy Start Software wrapper

• Home Page - HP Easy Start
• Open Category Software and Drivers
• Topic: Software-Utility
• Download and save the current version of the Easy Start Software to install your print software

No Easy Start for your older model? 

OR

If you do not already have your installation package ready to download

then

Look for and Download-Save-Install the Full Feature Software (Printer Software) installation package

• Open your printer Support Website  
• Open Category Software and Drivers
• Full Feature Software might have been relocated to subcategory Software-Utility
• Installation package name might be Print and Scan Driver and Accessories

Basic Instructions - Install the Full Feature Software / Full Driver printer software

• If using VPN, shut it off to install software
• Download and Save the Full Feature Software installation package or the Easy Start Software
• Open File Explorer
• Navigate to the folder in which you saved the installation file  (likely Downloads)
• Reminder:  If using USB cable between printer and computer, disconnect the cable before installing software.
• Right-Click on the installation package and “Run as Administrator”
• If using Easy Start > When asked, opt for "Full Driver" (exact wording might vary).
• If using Easy Start > Skip any extra software / offers you do not want (wording varies).
• After the software is installed, Restart the computer and log in

NOTES

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Preparation > Check / enable the printer as the “Default Printer”

Settings > Devices > Printers and scanners

UNCHECK (clear box) Let Windows manage my default printer

Select (Left-Click) your printer from the list of printers > Manage > Set as Default

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HP Printer Support Home Page - References and Resources – Learn about your Printer  - Solve Problems

 “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, Manuals > User Guides, Product Information (Specifications), more

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

HP ENVY 7640 e-All-in-One Printer series 

Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

The Community is a separate wing of the HP website - We are not an HP business group.

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

Click Helpful = Yes to say Thank You.

Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"

[judygriffin]

Thank you for your suggestions.  I have already done a clean install of the printer multiple times.  The communication from computer to printer does not seem to be the issue because HP Print and Scan Doctor connected.  Printing from Word, the 7640 appears on the printer list, but when I PRINT, Word responds, "We couldn't print because there doesn't seem to be a printer installed.:-(

Printing from Adobe Acrobat returns 

I believe something was corrupted when I reverted to Win 10.  I really appreciate any and all suggestions.

[Dragon-Fur]

@judygriffin 

You are welcome.

OK - some more ideas on the subject...

The cleanup (check and remove section) generally removes lingering printer software from the file system where the printer files and software are accessible.  

True - Printer Control is not included in the checks -- that section of the Windows File System is protected.  Printer Control cannot be edited or reloaded from the outside ("we" cannot touch the contents of the protected areas).

Print and Scan Doctor - the both the regular and the more specialized Offline version (link later in this message) - can usually connect if the program can find the printer.  This is important but does not indicate whether the printer connection is of the type recommended (TCP/IP) and does not indicate whether the printer software is fully functional.  Good code - not perfect.

Things to try / consider ...

If you have not done so, change the printer connection type to TCP/IP.

If the router supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz, assign a separate SSID named network for each frequency and connect the printer to the 2.4GHz SSID.

Consider assigning a manual / static IP address on both printer and in the router.

Reference:  Wireless Printing Center – Static IP Address

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Adobe Reader DC software

If you have not done so, take a look at the Reader DC software

Uninstall Adobe Reader DC from Programs and Features

Restart the computer and log in

Install a new copy of the Adobe Reader DC program from the website.

Reference 

Reinstall / Update your PDF Reader (Adobe Reader DC /Optional  Foxit Reader)

• HINT:  Watch out for and UNCHECK unwanted extra software
• Adobe Reader DC software should be installed even if you do not open / view / print PDF files directly from the software.

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Microsoft Office

As long as you have your Office license, you can certainly consider uninstalling Office > Restart the computer > Complete a fresh installation of Office. 

Reference

Documentation / Website / How-to Instructions

With Key - Install Office on your PC or Mac

Calls / links to:

 Where to enter your Office product key

     To see help options:  Scroll down to the middle of the page and select product

     Need more help?  Scroll down on the web page to find out how to contact Microsoft.

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One more time ...

If you would like to do so,  Completely Uninstall the Printer Software (including the check and remove section).

Not sure the printer software is actually when when uninstalled / removed?

Download and use an uninstaller (Microsoft or Revo free).

Next,

Consider trying the Offline Doctor - yes, the Offline Doctor will attempt reload the printer software.

Resource – Choose the right doctor for the job

Open Website

HP Print and Scan Doctor for Windows

Click the green Download Now option / box

Wait!

If the problem / issue is one or more of

• Printer is Offline
• Cannot print in Color
• Duplex printing has disappeared
• Installation continues to fail

Try this “Offline” Doctor version:

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/printers/hppsdr/patches/HPPSdr.exe

After the doctor runs, Restart the computer and log in.

Doctor will finish any necessary setups.

Check that the printer is assigned as the Default printing device

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Preparation > Check / enable the printer as the “Default Printer”

Settings > Devices > Printers and scanners

UNCHECK (clear box) Let Windows manage my default printer

Select (Left-Click) your printer from the list of printers > Manage > Set as Default

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

NOTES – The “Offline” doctor

As a result of repairing issues,

Offline / Color check / Duplex check version of the Doctor may replace the printer or add a “(Copy 1)” version of the driver in Devices and Printers.

If there are two printers in Devices and Printers,

If one of them does not work,

Try sending your job to the “Copy 1” named printer.

Later

If you want / need to rename the “Copy 1” printer:

Open Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers

Right-Click on the printer name > Printer Properties > Tab General >

In the top box, Edit the name of the printer (For example, remove the part that says “Copy 1”)

Click Apply / OK to save change

NOTE:  The name change may take a bit of time (a few minutes), else Restart the computer and log in.

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Notes

When you change the connection type to TCP/IP, the connection to the printer should stabilize.  

When you complete the "all the bits" procedure, and optionally assign a manual / static IP address to the printer,  the printer software should install into the File System as best it can do.

What else?

Not corruption but a way to check the printer side...

If using, Switch off your VPN

Try a Restart of the printer.

HP Printers - Printer Turns Off Unexpectedly or Repeatedly

Step 2: Restart the printer

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Windows - Version Change

True - An in-place upgrade to a different version of Windows and then the process to "undo" that upgrade might corrupt certain parts of the File System.  If you believe this is the case (and it is true), the source of the problem is not the printer software.

If you believe the reason you cannot fully load the printer software,

If you believe the Windows File System is corrupted,

Consider a clean install of Windows 10.

Reminder: 

You do need to have your personal data backed up and stored on OTHER than the local machine

AND

You must have access to the software and programs you wish to install (for example, Microsoft Office and its license).

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

The Community is a separate wing of the HP website - We are not an HP business group.

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

Click Helpful = Yes to say Thank You.

Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"

[judygriffin]

Thanks again for your help.  I have tried all suggestions including TCP/ip connection and Revo to remove printer software.  No change.  Finally:  removed printer software with Revo, reinstalled Windows 10 "from the Cloud", then after all updates to Win 10, reinstalled the printer.  Works fine now.  My punishment for rejecting Win 11.

[Dragon-Fur]

@judygriffin 

You are welcome.

Good job getting the problem resolved!

Thank you for participating in the HP Community.

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

Click Helpful = Yes to say Thanks!

Question / Concern Answered, Click "Accept as Solution"

[jdtrue]

I have the same problem. HP Envy laptop & HP3630 printer. I've done all the deleting, reinstalling, etc. I can reset my laptop to factory settings (reinstall of windows 10) but that is a royal pain. Since that worked for the other person, this is obviously an issue of windows 11 installing something that did not go away with the rollback to 10. My original error before reloading the printer software was "driver not available" so I think it's still trying to use a driver compatible with windows 11, instead of windows 10. Anything else I can do before doing the factory reset? Can you identify the driver associated with windows 11 so I can delete it?

[GCHorizon]

I had this on two PCs that Microsoft "helpfully" updated without any real prompting. Reverting to Windows 10, there is something in the HP driver stack that doesn't restore properly.

One PC I ended up re-installing Windows on having done many of the things in this thread. The second one I have fixed - can't believe how simple it was.

Run a "CMD" prompt AS ADMINSTRATOR. (Start button, type CMD and in the options click Run as Administrator)

In the command prompt box, type SFC /SCANNOW

It ran for about half an hour, told me some modifications had been made and to reboot the PC. PC restarted and I am now able to print properly to HP printers.