Driver Unavailable on Printer

[SFis]

Since the latest update to Windows, I cannot print. I have tried removing printer, adding it back on. I've tried to download latest version of drivers. I've spent 2 days troubleshooting and nothing has worked.

Any suggestions??

[Dragon-Fur]

@SFis 

Welcome to the HP Community --

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@SFis wrote:

Since the latest update to Windows, I cannot print.

I have tried removing printer, adding it back on.

I've tried to download latest version of drivers.

I've spent 2 days troubleshooting and nothing has worked.

Any suggestions??

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Product / Printer Model:  ?

Operating System: Windows

Software / Application:  ?

Connection Type:  ?

Content / File Type:  ?

Paper Size / Type: ?

Job type:  Install printer software

Based on what we know --

What you can do depends a bit on what you have (supported printer model), the Operating System / version on your device, whether there is a set of full driver printer software -- and, importantly, how the printer is connected to your network.

Unless the source of the issue is buried too deep in the Windows File System to pry it loose, the problem can usually be resolved.

The following solution is intended for the full driver printer software.

HP Smart - Windows - application is a separate entity.

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Preparation

Check / Apply Windows Updates 

• Check / Install any pending Windows Updates 
• If any updates are applied in Windows Updates, Restart your computer and log in

Check / Apply Printer Firmware

•  HP Printers - Updating or Upgrading Printer Firmware

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

-- First checks  --

If the full driver is installed and you believe it to be functional --

1. Check that you, and not Windows, are controlling the Default Printer  
2. Verify that Printer Properties > Tab Advanced > Driver = HP driver and not the IPP / Microsoft driver  

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

No Joy?

Need to reload the printer software?

Preparation

• If you have downloaded copy of the full driver printer software web pack installation package, it can be re-used to reinstall the printer software.   If you are fortunate to have the "Off line" version of the installation file, you need not be connected to the Internet to install the software -- everything you need is inside the install package.

-- Note --

• If you don't have your installation package and need help finding the driver, let us know the printer model and your Operating System / version so we can check for you.

Next,

• If you have not done so, take another look at the printer's connection to your network.  While it's not always necessary to assign the printer a manual / static IP address, doing so can improve stability.  Too, if the printer is connected but not fully responsive, consider changing the connection type (on your Windows machine) to TCP/IP.

• Before trying to reinstall the software (again), take another look at removing remnants of any previous printer software installation attempt(s) - Check and Remove Section

-- Notes --

• Steps already completed -- or anything you object to doing -- can generally be skipped after checking.
• The point is to remove leftover pieces of a previous installation attempt as best can be done.

After the "check and remove" steps are completed, Restart the computer and log in.

Next, use the downloaded web pack installation file to install the full driver.

Finally, recheck that you have control over the default printer and Printer Properties is set to the HP driver.

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

Remove Existing Printer Software

Check and Remove Section

Reminders

After all checks > If any changes are made > Restart the computer and log in

Can't stand it?  Do the first one and ignore the others - see how it goes

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

Windows 11

Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Print server Properties > Tab Drivers

Select each unwanted entry > Remove > OK to exit menu

Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Select / Open Printer > Remove

Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices

Scroll down > Look for and remove unwanted / non-working printer

Windows 10

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

Optional – Add this procedure if there are continuing issues…

Windows 10 / Windows 11

Windows Start > Search for “Services”

Optionally Right-Click and Pin to Start / Taskbar > Open Services App

Windows 10

Control Panel > icon view > Administrative Tools > Services

Next,

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

Open File Explorer (formally Windows Explorer)

Navigate to the folder and Delete any files found in folder C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS

Start Print Spooler Service

Check and Remove – Windows Fax and Scan – Scan Profiles

Optional – Add this procedure if there are continuing issues…

Check for printer-named Scan Profiles stored in Windows Fax and Scan > If found, Delete the profile(s)

Notes

• If Tab Tools > Scan Settings group is not displayed, there are no scan profiles saved
• Currently saved scan files / jobs, including the Date, File Name, Type, Size, and Source of the original document / photo, are displayed in the center-top section.  Save jobs are not Profiles.

Open Windows Fax and Scan

Bottom left column > Scan

Tab Tools > Scan Settings (opens the Scan Profiles menu)

Left-Click unwanted printer-named Profile > Delete

Confirm Delete action > Yes

Repeat action for each printer-named Profile

Click Close to exit the Scan Profiles menu

End Check and Remove Section

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

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Message Content References

-- Take advantage of the extensive HP Video collection --

                                            ↓↓↓↓↓↓↓

Technology Tips - Video Gallery from our HP Expert greenturtle

 Technology Tips– YouTube Video Help for Printers

 HP Support Official Channel – HP Support Video Gallery

=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

References / Resources

HP Printer Home Page - References and Resources

Learn about your Printer - Solve Problems

“Things that are your printer”

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

NOTE: Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories: Warranty Check, Alerts, Troubleshooting, Ink & Paper, HP Software & Drivers / Firmware Updates, Setup & User Guides, Product Specifications, Account & Registration, Warranty & Repair

Open 

 Product Home - Printers

 Enter the device type and model name of your HP product

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Real people who own, use, and support HP devices.

Click Yes to say Thank You for the help !

Question / Concern Answered, Click my Post "Accept as Solution"

[SFis · Accepted solution]

Thanks Dragon-Fur for your help and advice. Funny thing happened after spending the good part of 3 days trying different things, I came home tonight and un-installed the latest windows update again and the printer started working. I will be keeping your suggestions below in case I need it, Thanks again

[Dragon-Fur]

@SFis 

You are welcome.

So, good news.

The uninstall of the Update effectively removed whatever broke the software.  Excellent.

It's not that common that Windows Update hammers the printer software but it certainly happens often enough that people write in to ask about it.  Most of the time, prying the printer software out from under the Update and then reloading the full driver fixes the issue.

Fortunately, this time, the "broken" effect was temporary and no reloading of the printer software needed.

🍀

Thank you for participating in the HP Community --

Real people who own, use, and support HP devices.

Click Yes to say Thank You for the help !

Question / Concern Answered, Click my Post "Accept as Solution"