Envy 4520 driver kernel-mode / NT4.0 error

[MrPeteW]

So I have just had to do a fresh install of Windows 10 (64bit) and now cannot get my HP Envy 4520 to work. I get a range of error messages each time I try. Either driver not compaitble with windows policy for NT 4.0 or cannot install driver in kernel-mode. Just to note this is a personal, stand alone PC not on a network no security settings set up etc. I've run the windows troubleshooter, the HP troubleshooter, tried installing drivers in compatibility mode all with no success.

Under the Windows devices screen I just see the printer with "Driver is unavailable".

Any suggestions welcome!

Thanks,

MrPeteW

[DavidSMP]

Hi @MrPeteW,

Thanks for stopping by the HP community. A very good day to you. 🙂 I reviewed the post regarding the computer not connecting to the wireless network. I will be delighted to assist you here. 🙂

Splendid effort, commendable troubleshooting and a superb description of the issue. Kudos to you on that score. 🙂

It looks more like an operating system issue rather than a printer driver issue.

For now please try the steps patiently.

Please perform these steps to uninstall the printer drivers.

• Uninstall the printer from "programs and features" which can be accessed by doing a right-click on the Windows button (Please have the printer Off and disconnected during uninstallation.)
• Check in device manager, if the printer is listed there, please delete it. (Right click on the Windows button to access device manager)
• Go to devices and printers, select any printer listed there and you will get some options on the top. 
• Click on print server properties. 
• You will get a popup, click on the drivers tab and delete all the HP printer drivers listed there if any.
• Delete all the instances of your printer listed in devices and printers.
• Restart the PC.
• Once the PC is on the desktop, press Win + R, it would bring a Run dialog box, 
• Type %temp% in the run box and click Ok or hit the Enter button.
• It would bring up the temporary files folder. Delete the files in the folder (You might not be able to delete all the files).
• If possible, delete the printer from the registries using Regedit or using any other 3rd party application.
• Ignore the Regedit option if it cannot be done.
• Restart the PC again. 

Then create a new local user account as an administrator from this link: https://support.microsoft.com/en-in/instantanswers/5de907f1-f8ba-4fd9-a89d-efd23fee918c/create-a-loc...

Later please install the full feature printer software from this link: https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-envy-4520-all-in-one-printer-series/5447920/mode... for Windows 10 and that should do the trick for you. Please ensure to select the correct operating system. Please update the printer firmware from the same link.

Please perform all these steps patiently as it is critical to resolving the issue. The trick is to remain patient, please. Please note that I am not overloading you with a lot of troubleshooting steps. Instead, just like you, I am eager to ensure that the problem gets resolved. So I am providing you with more resources and information at your disposal to deal with the situation better.

Hope this helps. Let me know how this goes. If it does you know what to do. I genuinely hope the issue gets resolved without hassles and the unit works great.

Take care now and have a terrific week ahead. 🙂

[MrPeteW · Accepted solution]

Hi David,

Thanks for responding.

I have managed to resolve the issue now, just prior to you responding to my post, therefore I'm not able to test your method to see if it works. However, hopefully someone will come across this post and may find it of use.

Just for anyone elses' future reference, should they be having similar issues, the below link is what finally resolved the issue for me, whilst the Envy 4520 isn't exactly an "older printer" this work around has certainly worked for me in getting my printer re-setup on Windows 10 after a fresh OS install.

Installing Older Printers on Windows 10

Many thanks,

MrPeteW 

[DavidSMP]

Hi @MrPeteW,

I am really happy for you that it worked.  It has been an absolute privilege to have worked with you. You've been simply superb to work with. I hope the printer works great and stays healthy for a long time to come. Kudos to you for a job well done. 🙂

You take care, stay healthy, keep smiling big and have a blessed year ahead. 🙂

[robinjcrory]

Genius, thank you so much!

[tpgnavy85]

Hello, I'd like to add to this thread, as I was also experiencing the exact same symptoms as the original poster on my Lenovo G50-80.  To cut to the chase, the only way I was able to install the HP drivers for the ENVY 4520 was to enable kernel mode driver installation on the Windows 10 laptop like the original poster suggested.  Going through all the supplied steps by the HP technician, at least 3 times, resulted in the same exact problem with the "Driver is unavailable" error when installing.

Which brings me to a point here with HP.  Why in the world, with all the current software improvements in Windows 10 and supposedly HP's software development, is this software package from April 2017 still being perceived by Windows 10 as a kernel mode driver package?  I am highly technical, and can't even imagine the common user having to jump through hoops like this in order to properly install this driver package on Windows 10.  HP is a very up to date software and services company, and I would expect has a higher degree of software development and testing practices to prevent installation issues like this example.

The ENVY 4520 has only been on the market for a couple of years, so I would expect that its driver set is much more modernized with the Windows Management Platform than what I and obviously others are experiencing here of late.  I do not believe this is an issue with Microsoft's Windows 10 platform, but more an issue with HP making their driver packages more current with Windows 10 installation standards.

My personal problem is now resolved thank to this other user's guidance, but I would ask that HP really look at this example and push out an updated ENVY driver package that doesn't make the end user jump through hoops in order to properly install and use.

Thank you, tpgnavy85

[celticat000]

Hello,

I have dilligently followed all the steps DavidSMP detailed in uninstalling and re-installing my HP ENVY 4520 Printer and am yet receiving the same error.  Please note - I have followed the instructions several times and to no avail.  Unfortunately, I am running Windows 10 Home version so I cannot follow the additional suggested steps outlined by the other users - I cannot disable or edit via Local Computer Policy.  (Cost of upgrading = cost of new printer. )

My printer worked with Windows 10 up until last month with a recent windows update.  Is there an HP Patch which I can install to enable my printer?

Thank you,

-Mary

[robinjcrory]

Hi Mary.

I was a bit quick to respond earlier, it hasn't completely fixed the problem.

I print out a lot of pdf posters and photos and, even though the PC says the printer is there, it says it can't find it. It's a complete mystery. Some things will print from Google Chrome but usually in black and white. Using the "print dialogue system" in Chrome prints everything perfectly, press Ctrl, Shift and P.

There are no problems printing from Word. I've installed the latest update to Windows so I might try uninstalling and reinstalling the printer again to see if anything has changed. If so, I'll let you know.

Robin

[celticat000]

Sadly, I can't print at all.

This has become huge problem as I've begun working out of my home office... I hope that HP has a patch or a solution quickly.

[robinjcrory]

Oh. That's not good at all.

There's no change to the printer after the newest Windows update.

It's only Edge and Photos it seems I can't print with, that I've found so far. Everything else is working okay.

Sorry this is no good to you though.

Robin