DeskJet 4255e

[75HB]

I work for a large company we can't install printers wirelessly or by using the Windows App store. Is there a way to get basic printer driver for the DeskJet 4255e? Or is there a basic driver that can be used? I need an offline solution or installation.

I have tried using the following drivers but one needs internet access and the other is installed through the app store. 

HPEasyStart-15.8.1-DJ4200_57_2_1683_3_Webpack

HPEasyStart_16_7_5

[BeemerBiker]

This is the full feature software for the 4255e

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softlib/software13/printers/SJ0001/COL117466/Full_Webpack-63.4.6159-SJ0001_Fu...

I found it here

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/hp-deskjet-4200e-all-in-one-printer-series/model/2101374541?sku...

The 4255e uses either WiFi or USB, there is no hardwired ethernet to connect to a router or modem.

How do you plan to connect?  Windows shared printing with a server having all the printers on USB?

[75HB]

I have tried that one as well. But that only installs it as a scanner. 

[BeemerBiker]

---see note below first---

You are correct the driver's are missing. You will have to use 7-zip to open the executable as an archive.  Once opened the drivers can be extract and windows can be told where to find them

Download the 64 bit windows  app "7-zip"  msi installer here

       if asked, be sure to add it to the windows file explorer
Create the folder 4255 at this location C:\SWSetup

you already have a copy of  HPEasyStart-15.8.1-DJ4200_57_2_1683_3_Webpack

    locate that file using the windows explorer, right click on it, and select 7zip

   in 7zip select open archive

in open archives you will see the driver folder

select the driver folder and paste it to location C:\SWSetup\4255

Bring up the add printer and scanner page and add the 4255 printer. When windows asks for the location of the driver enter

C:\SWSetup\4255\driver

NOTE

That easystart driver installer is supposed to be useful for offline system and that is mentioned as shown here

When plugged into the PC using a USB cable, did you put the printer into USB mode?  If it is not in USB mode then (I am guessing)  easystart will look for it online and will fail.   if you have the printer connected to a WiFi modem and it is not in USB mode, then the easystart should have found the printer by going to the modem (from the networked PC) and coming back to the printer.

[BeemerBiker]

I suspect you have a problem

HP+ Features (4255e):

• The "e" version (4255e) comes with HP+, which is an enhanced printing solution offering several benefits, including:
  • HP+ Smart Printing System: This is a cloud-connected system that keeps the printer up-to-date, ensuring it’s always ready to print from any device, anywhere.
  • 6 months of Instant Ink: With HP+, you typically get 6 months of free Instant Ink (an ink subscription service) when you activate HP+.
  • Extended Warranty: The 4255e often includes an additional 1-year HP warranty, extending the total warranty to 2 years when HP+ is activated.

This printer requires an instant ink account. 

According to ChatGpt, the AI robot, that offline install will work quote:

Yes, HP E-series DeskJets can be used offline without an Instant Ink account. The E-series models often come with features tied to HP’s Instant Ink service, which provides ink delivery based on your usage. However, you are not required to subscribe to Instant Ink to use the printer.

To use the printer offline without an Instant Ink account:

1. **Install the Printer**: Set up the printer using the standard drivers and software provided by HP.
2. **Skip Instant Ink Enrollment**: During the setup, you may be prompted to enroll in Instant Ink. You can skip this step.
3. **Use Standard Ink Cartridges**: If your printer is compatible with both standard and Instant Ink cartridges, make sure you use standard cartridges that are not tied to an Instant Ink subscription.

This way, the printer will function just like any other printer without relying on the Instant Ink service.

I think the AI is mistaken about the standard cartridges.  You must use cartridges that have HP electronics chip inside.

That would be genuine HP cartridges or refilled (refurbished ?) HP cartridges.

[edit] I have been informed by other experts that ChatGpt is not correct and the e-series that use HP+ must have online access

see if you can exchange the 4255e for a 4255

[75HB]

OK, just to make sure I am following. The first response that the drivers are missing and to use 7-zip to extract them is incorrect?

That this model with the "e" can only be used if you create a HP+\instant Ink sub? Are all models being don that way now? I have a HP OfficeJet Pro 8135e All-in-One Printer  and I did not have the same issue. I was able to get that one working. 

Thanks 

[BeemerBiker]

The 7-zip will extract the driver.

HP is making change in the e-series policy for laserjets and probably deskjets in the future. 

From what I was just told in a insiders forum (that is not public) you should not have been able to get the  8035e to install.

the instant ink is optional.  The HP+ is supposedly the problem. You are signing up for cloud services such email and remote  printing much like remote desktop.  This requires online access and conflicts with ChatGpt AI advice.

If you can somehow skip over the hp+ and the instant ink then you should be able to install the 4255e.  Possibly the 8035e had a later version of the easy install off-line install.

I used 7-zip to examine the  archived files and the easystart modules in the 4255 are newer than the 8035. The install address for download and "e" and a "not e" are the same so there is an actually hardware different in the printers to difference them.

Try this if you want

Use 7-zip to extract 8035e to swsetup\8035  and do the same for 4255

ren Driver in 8035 to driver8

copy the Driver folder in 4255 to 8035

run the setup shortcut that is in the in the 8035 folder

However "scan" is missing from the 8035e folder so it is unlikely to be setup when running the 8035 install even it you copy it from the 4255

[75HB]

Not sure how I did it but I got it to install, the driver says it's "Microsoft IPP Class Driver". I think I got that by mistake, I can't seem to replicate than on another PC. 

[BeemerBiker]

I'm glad you got it working, did you use the 7zip?

Does scan work?

After installing the full feature driver package, click the windows key and select all apps and find HP.

Look for HP Scan.

If HP scan is not present then use HP Smart.
get HP Smart from the microsoft store if needed or if you want the newest version. You will have to sign into HP Smart using your HP account. The latest version as of Jun, 2024 is 154.2.1072.0 (USA English). If you do not have this version then go to the Microsoft store, find HP Smart, and click "update". If the button "update" is missing then you need to run "wsreset" from the Windows search bar.

I do not know of an offline install for the latest HP smart

To put HP Smart (or HP Scan) on the desktop:

For Windows 10, click Start. For Windows 11, click Start and click All apps This will show (see above) a list of all apps you have installed in Windows. Find the target app from the list, drag and pull the app from the Start menu to the desktop. This will create a desktop shortcut for the app installed from Microsoft Store.

The following video is an example of how to put an app on the desktop.
This is a video for the support assistant desktop icon here

I found this about offline hp smart. 7zip, if used, will provide the app in the folder

1. Download and save the Easy Start Software or the Full Feature Software installation package
2. Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder where the installation file is saved
3. Right-click on the installation package and select Run as Administrator
4. If using Easy Start, select Full Driver when prompted
5. Skip any extra software or offers that aren't wanted
6. After the software is installed, restart the computer and log in

[75HB]

If I can figure out how I did it with the Microsoft diver and replicate it easy enough I should be OK. I can install the HP Scan software without any issues, it's just the driver for the printer itself.