'Driver unavailable' error on HP Envy 4520, unable to print

[Chremily]

I have been trying for several days now to fix this, and have followed lots of 'tips' and 'fixes' I've found online on message boards. None have worked. I will try and remember everything I have tried.

Initially, we had an installed printer that printed fine with our old laptop. When we got a new laptop (Lenovo IdeaPad S340) it would only print in black and white, and had no options for colour printing. After a few weeks, I decided it was a driver issue and there was nothing else but to try a reinstall.

I uninstalled the printer and attempted to reinstall. It gave me the error 'Driver Unavailable' and 'unable to print a test page'. I now cannot print anything at all from the printer. There is no USB connection, it's a wireless connection through the wifi.

I have tried several uninstalls and reinstalls, restarting the laptop multiple times. One evening I restarted the laptop 7 times, after every single stage of uninstall/reinstall. I have tried 'Remove Device' from control panel. I have tried going to Run Command and typing 'printui /s /t2' then removing the driver completely from that list. (I had issues doing that, as it told me 'print driver still in use'. So to remove the driver, I had to stop the print spooler by doing something else. I later restarted the print spooler). I have tried downloading the printer/drivers directly from the HP website, and I have tried using the installation wizard through control panel to 'add a device'.

I have also used Run Command to delete 'null print', as I found a link on a Microsoft forum that said this was a known issue with reinstalls and suggested that as a fix. In Command Prompt, I typed 'pnputil enum drivers' and then deleted the driver that had the 'Original Name' of 'null print'. 

What else have I tried...I've tried making hidden folders visible, then going into System 32 folder and removing the folder for the driver to get as clean an uninstall as possible. I think the folder was called 'sp3' or something. Again, I can't remember the details of this, but I was following a 'fix' on an HP board online that other people said had worked for them.

The printer is connected to my laptop in some wireless form, as on the HP Smart App it can tell me the ink levels.

Has ANYONE any ideas? I am about to throw the printer at the wall and buy a new one.

[sandytechy20]

@Chremily

Welcome to HP support community.

Perform root level uninstallation to remove all the printer related software's.

• In Windows, search for and open Programs and Features.
• Select your HP printer.
• Select Uninstall.
• In Windows, search for and open Devices and Printers.
• In the Devices and Printers window look for your HP Printer. If you see it listed, right-click on it and choose "Delete" or "Remove Device.”
• Open up the run command with the "Windows Key + R" key combo.
• Type printui.exe /s and click OK.
• Click on Drivers tab.
• Look for HP Printer driver. If you see it click on it and click Remove at the bottom.
• Select OK.
• Remove all instances of the same.
• Select Apply and OK on the Print Server Properties windows.
• Close Devices and Printers. 
• Restart the PC again.

Download and install printer full feature driver

Click here to download the driver.

I hope that helps.

To thank me for my efforts to help you, please mark my post as an accepted solution so that it benefits several others.

Cheers.

[Chremily]

Hi Sandytechy,

Thank you for your response.

Unfortunately I have followed all the above steps several times and still have the same recurring problem. Just to check, I followed your steps above carefully one by one today.  When uninstalling the drivers and printer, I removed anything that looked like it could be related to the HP printer.

When I first installed the printer today, all appeared well. Driver had been installed, HP Smart app said printer status was 'ready' and told me the ink levels. In Devices and Printers, the printer appeared ready to go.

I tried to print a test page. I got an error message popup in the bottom right corner of the screen saying something like 'Error: Unable to print'. On Devices and Printers, the status now says 'Deafult, Error'. On HP Smart app, the printer status is now 'Unknown'.

So I still cannot print. Any further suggestions?

[praveen196]

@Chremily

I understand your concerns.

I would suggest you try the Windows built-in drivers. Follow the steps below: 

  

•    Go to Control Panel - Devices and printers - Click on "Add printer" and follow the on-screen instructions. 

•    When the page prompts for the drivers, select "Windows update". The driver list will be updated. 

•    Click HP, Hewlett Packard, or Hewlett-Packard in the Manufacturer pane, and then click the name of your printer in the Printers pane. 

  

Refer to this document HP Printers - Installing and Using the Windows Built-in Print Driver for help 

Have a nice day!!

[Chremily]

Hi,

The printer "HPF1A9CC (HP Envy 4520 series)" is already installed, having followed the steps above. Do you mean for me to uninstall it somehow first, before following your solution? If so, can you please let me know precisely how you would like me to uninstall it. As I said, I have tried everything already, so

When I go to Control Panel - Devices and Printers - Add a printer - the only thing I can currently add is called "DIRECT - CC - HP ENVY 4520 SERIES". When I begin installation of this, it asks me to go and get the WPS code from the printer. (I have done this before, and followed all the steps it prompted - it did not help). Also, during the installation of the printer yesterday it warned me not to try and add any device with "Direct" in the name, so I'm not going to repeat the experiment as I don't think that's what you mean.

What I have just tried, after reading your suggestion, is to open Windows Update - Device Manager - Printers - HP Envy 4520 series - right click 'Update drivers' - search automatically for updated driver software. It said 'windows has successfully updated your drivers for HP Envy 4520 series'. Then went to print queue, removed all waiting documents, and tried to print test page.  Same problem, error message saying unable to print. So I think we can be sure that the driver is definitely up to date, but there is clearly some deeper issue.

Can you clarify more specifically what you'd like me to try please?

Thanks.

[sandytechy20]

@Chremily

This might require remote access of the computer to fix the issue:

I request you to talk to HP support.

They might have multiple options to help you with this.

1. Click on this link - https://support.hp.com/us-en/contact-hp?openCLC=true
2. Select the country.
3. Enter the serial of your device.
4. Select the country from the drop-down.
5. Click on "Show Options".
6. Fill the web-form. A case number and phone number will now populate for you.

I hope that helps.

To thank me for my efforts to help you, please mark my post as an accepted solution so that it benefits several others.

Cheers.