-
×InformationNeed Windows 11 help?Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
Windows 11 Support Center. -
-
×InformationNeed Windows 11 help?Check documents on compatibility, FAQs, upgrade information and available fixes.
Windows 11 Support Center. -
- HP Community
- Printers
- Printer Setup, Software & Drivers
- Drivers Unavailable

Create an account on the HP Community to personalize your profile and ask a question
12-02-2018 09:08 AM
my printer was no longer connected to my computer. I re-installed, updated drivers, power on/off, disconnected/reconnected and the printer still says Drivers unavailable. I have downloaded them from the HP site and also used the scan dcotor and still nothing. What can I do to get my printer working from my desktop? I can print from every other device. it's all wireless.
Solved! Go to Solution.
Accepted Solutions
12-04-2018 12:14 PM - edited 12-04-2018 12:17 PM
Welcome to the HP Forums 🙂 I would like to take a moment and thank you for using this forum, it is a great place to find answers. For you to have the best experience on the HP forum, you could also visit our HP Forums Guide for First Time Here? Learn How to Post and More. I see from your post you are having issues while installing the printer drivers. Don't worry we'll work together to help you find a solution.
To provide you with an accurate solution, I'll need a few more details:
Have you recently made any changes before the issue started?
Have you tried to do a root level uninstall and reinstall of the printer drivers?
How are you trying to connect the printer? USB/Wireless
In the meantime, let's try these steps here:
Please make sure that the printer is connected directly to the wall outlet and not to the surge protector.
With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer and also unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
Remove USB cable, if present.
Wait for 2-3 minutes, press and hold the power button on your printer for about 30 seconds to remove any additional charge.
Now plug back the power cable straight to a wall outlet without any surge protector or an extension cord and then plug back the power cord to the printer.
Turn on the printer and wait till warm-up period finishes and the printer is idle.
Next thing, I would suggest here is to Run Windows Updates troubleshooter -
Download and install the troubleshooter from this link.
Now try to perform Windows Updates -
1) In the search box, type and open Windows Updates.
2) Check for updates.
3) If the updates are available, click on install and restart the computer.
Now, I would suggest here is to uninstall the printer drivers from the root level and then reinstall them by following the below steps:
- Press “Windows key” + “r” to get the “Run” window.
- Type "services.msc" to get Services – Go to “Print spooler” – Right-click and “Stop” the service.
- Now again open "Run" - Type “spool” and ok - Go to PRINTERS folder - delete everything in that folder.
- Go to services again - Start the print spooler.
- Now check for issue resolution.
- If the issue persists, also try clean installing the printer drivers. Here are the steps:
- First, unplug the USB cable from the printer if present.
- Go to Control panel – Programs and feature – Select all the HP Officejet printer entries and uninstall them.
- Now go to Control panel – Devices and printer – Select all the printer entries and remove the device.
- Press the "windows key" + "r" to get the "Run" window open - Type "printui.exe /s" (There is a space between .exe & /) and press enter.
- Under print server properties, go to drivers - remove any entry there as well.
- Again, go to the Run window, type – “c:/programdata” – Go to Hewlett Packard folder, remove any printer related folders & files.
- Restart your computer.
- Please click here to download and install the software.
- Connect the USB cable if prompted and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
If the issue persists, I would suggest here is to Uninstall the printer drivers and then try installing the Windows built-in drivers for the printer.
Simply turn on the printer and connect the USB cable from the printer to the PC. The drivers will be installed in 2-3 minutes. Go to Control panel - Devices and printers to check the printer entry and make it as default printer if needed.
Check http://hp.care/2nxKJv8 for additional instructions.
Please let me know if this resolves the issue, or if you require further assistance!
Eagerly waiting for your response!
that said, If the information I've provided was helpful,
give us some reinforcement by clicking the solution and kudos buttons,
that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!
Good Luck.
Jeet_Singh
I am an HP Employee
12-04-2018 12:14 PM - edited 12-04-2018 12:17 PM
Welcome to the HP Forums 🙂 I would like to take a moment and thank you for using this forum, it is a great place to find answers. For you to have the best experience on the HP forum, you could also visit our HP Forums Guide for First Time Here? Learn How to Post and More. I see from your post you are having issues while installing the printer drivers. Don't worry we'll work together to help you find a solution.
To provide you with an accurate solution, I'll need a few more details:
Have you recently made any changes before the issue started?
Have you tried to do a root level uninstall and reinstall of the printer drivers?
How are you trying to connect the printer? USB/Wireless
In the meantime, let's try these steps here:
Please make sure that the printer is connected directly to the wall outlet and not to the surge protector.
With the printer turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer and also unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.
Remove USB cable, if present.
Wait for 2-3 minutes, press and hold the power button on your printer for about 30 seconds to remove any additional charge.
Now plug back the power cable straight to a wall outlet without any surge protector or an extension cord and then plug back the power cord to the printer.
Turn on the printer and wait till warm-up period finishes and the printer is idle.
Next thing, I would suggest here is to Run Windows Updates troubleshooter -
Download and install the troubleshooter from this link.
Now try to perform Windows Updates -
1) In the search box, type and open Windows Updates.
2) Check for updates.
3) If the updates are available, click on install and restart the computer.
Now, I would suggest here is to uninstall the printer drivers from the root level and then reinstall them by following the below steps:
- Press “Windows key” + “r” to get the “Run” window.
- Type "services.msc" to get Services – Go to “Print spooler” – Right-click and “Stop” the service.
- Now again open "Run" - Type “spool” and ok - Go to PRINTERS folder - delete everything in that folder.
- Go to services again - Start the print spooler.
- Now check for issue resolution.
- If the issue persists, also try clean installing the printer drivers. Here are the steps:
- First, unplug the USB cable from the printer if present.
- Go to Control panel – Programs and feature – Select all the HP Officejet printer entries and uninstall them.
- Now go to Control panel – Devices and printer – Select all the printer entries and remove the device.
- Press the "windows key" + "r" to get the "Run" window open - Type "printui.exe /s" (There is a space between .exe & /) and press enter.
- Under print server properties, go to drivers - remove any entry there as well.
- Again, go to the Run window, type – “c:/programdata” – Go to Hewlett Packard folder, remove any printer related folders & files.
- Restart your computer.
- Please click here to download and install the software.
- Connect the USB cable if prompted and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
If the issue persists, I would suggest here is to Uninstall the printer drivers and then try installing the Windows built-in drivers for the printer.
Simply turn on the printer and connect the USB cable from the printer to the PC. The drivers will be installed in 2-3 minutes. Go to Control panel - Devices and printers to check the printer entry and make it as default printer if needed.
Check http://hp.care/2nxKJv8 for additional instructions.
Please let me know if this resolves the issue, or if you require further assistance!
Eagerly waiting for your response!
that said, If the information I've provided was helpful,
give us some reinforcement by clicking the solution and kudos buttons,
that'll help us and others see that we've got the answers!
Good Luck.
Jeet_Singh
I am an HP Employee
12-10-2018 07:38 AM
Thank you for the update,
I appreciate your time and efforts,
I'm glad I could contribute towards resolving the issue and finding the solution you were looking for.
Thanks for taking the time to let the community know about the solution.
You've been great to work with and it has been a genuine pleasure interacting with you.
I hope both you and your product works great and remain healthy for a long time 😉
To simply say thanks for my efforts to assist you, please click the "Thumbs Up" button to give me a Kudos.
And mark my public post as Accepted Solution to help others find a similar solution as you have.
Take care now and do have a fabulous week ahead. 🙂
Regards,
Jeet_Singh
I am an HP Employee