Driver unavailable

[Julie2101]

Good Afternoon

I have a HP Deskjet plus 4100 All in one Printer. It stopped working so I uninstalled it and reinstalled, but it is showing driver unavailable.  Can you please help

Thanks

[Dragon-Fur]

@Julie2101 

Welcome to the HP Community Forum.

From your description, it sounds like the printer software did not fully uninstall itself.

Add the Check and Remove steps to the uninstall process as described below.

Firmware

There is a new printer firmware update (dated 10-Nov-2022 at this writing)

Consider installing the Update:

HP DeskJet/Ink Advantage 4100 All-in-One Printer series Firmware Update 

Next

Try / Consider

Uninstall Printer Software

If you have not done so,

Restart everything, including the router that controls your network.

If the printer is accepted on the network...

If the full driver printer software is (already) installed but not working,

• Uninstall any printer software from Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features
• Restart the computer and sign in.

Next,

• Check (for the Printer) in Devices and Printers  > If found, Right-Click Printer and Remove -- If any changes are made, that is, you remove anything, Restart the computer and sign in.
• If there are continuing issues, for example, if you see “Driver unavailable”, add the Steps in the Check and Remove section.  If any changes are made, Restart the computer and log in.
• Check_and_Remove_Section_2

Install the Printer Software

Video

HP Deskjet Plus 4152 |4155 |4158 : Download & Install HP Full featured Software on a Win 10 computer

and / or

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Printer Software - Full Driver Printer Software - Installation

 There are two methods to install the printer software:

Easy Start Software is a wrapper that will find and install your printer software – If you want to install the full driver software, you do need to select the "Full Driver" when the option is presented.

The Web Pack Installation Package method uses the full driver installation package for your printer.

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Method - Use the Easy Start Software to Install HP Smart and / or the Full Feature / Full Driver Software

Easy Start Installation Package - Information and Download / Save

• Open  Home Page - HP Easy Start >> Click to open Category Software and Drivers 
• Download and Save the current version of the Easy Start Software installation package  to install your print software

Easy Start can be used to install your printer software or the HP Smart application.

If the HP Smart Application is (already) Uninstalled, Use Easy Start OR Get a new copy of the application from the Microsoft Store

If you want to install the full driver printer software, choose the "Full Software and Drivers" option during the Easy Start installation procedure.

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Method - Use the full Web Pack Installation package to install the Full Feature / Full Driver Software

Find, Download-Save-Install

• Open your printer Home Page > Support Website   
• Open Category Software and Drivers > If the Installation package is not listed on the mail level, check in sub-category Software-Utility
• The title  of the package might include the words “Full Feature”, “Full Solution”, “Print and Scan Driver”, or similar wording.
• After the software is installed, Restart the computer and log in

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

Preparation

• If the printer software is still / already installed, Uninstall the printer software  from Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features > Restart the computer and log in – Reference Uninstall HP printer software and drivers

• >>> After the printer software is uninstalled, check that the printer is not still lurking in Devices and Printers.  If the printer is listed, Right-Click on the printer and "Remove" > Restart the computer and sign in.

• If using VPN, shut it off to install software.  NOTE >> If you don’t know what this is, you are not using a VPN – ignore this part.

• Reminder:  If using USB cable between printer and computer, disconnect the cable before installing software.  Later... Connect the cable when instructed (near the end of the installation procedure).

• Observation:  It is possible (assuming your Wireless Network is stable) that using a Wireless connection to install the printer software might work better than using an Ethernet Connection.   Personal choice - the Wireless connection method is recommended when you face insurmountable issues installing the software.

Installation

• Download and Save the Full Feature Software Web Pack installation package or the Easy Start Software
• Open File Explorer
• Navigate to the folder in which you saved the installation file  (likely Downloads)
• Right-Click on the installation package and “Run as Administrator”
• After the software is installed, Restart the computer and log in

If using Easy Start

• Skip any extra software / offers you do not want – Wording varies as does the number of times you have to “skip” or opt-out of various options.
• When asked, opt for "Full Software and Drivers" (exact wording might vary).
• Easy_Start_Full_Driver_2

• If, after the Full Software and Drivers option is selected, the installation terminates (suddenly stops and disappears – never comes back): Open your Downloads folder > Look for and Right-Click on the full Web installation package and “Run as Administrator”

NOTES

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

Windows 11

Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers and scanners

Scroll down > Switch OFF Let Windows manage my default printer

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

Windows 10

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

References / Resources

Technology Tips - Video Gallery  -- From our HP Expert greenturtle

"Technology Tips" Deskjet Plus 4100

 User Guide - DeskJet Plus 4100 series

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:  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), Supplies, and more

Open

HP DeskJet Plus 4130 All-in-One Printer 

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