HP 9018e Connects but cannot be added - driver not available

[bikefan]

One other thing: there is a Brother laser printer attached via USB in normal use (I disconnected it during the diagnostics you suggested). No problem loading the driver or printing to that printer.

[Dragon-Fur]

@bikefan 

Well, rats.

I don't have any other ideas that you would be likely to entertain.

For example,

If the problem is buried in Windows, you might fix this whole mess by reloading Windows.

Yes, I know - although this usually works, it is not popular.

If the source of the problem is something buried in your account or in your account Printer Control,

Create a new user local account > Edit the new local account to be type admin > Change the login to use Microsoft account.  What?  Creating the account as a local account means the top level folder of the account as assigned when created as the "local" account will stick - Next, add a new Microsoft login to that account.  Yes, rather convoluted.  You could likely skip the whole "local" account thing (although it does give you control over the name of the top level folder account) and just create a new Microsoft account to test / try.  Remember that the new account has to be edited to give it "administrator" privileges.

Not sure about a Brother printer connected using USB - seems like that is fine though I've never had a Brother printer and  I don't use USB.  ?

It is just as likely that I missed something along the way - it happens.

If I think of anything else, I'll edit this message or post back.

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[bikefan]

Yes, very disappointing.

Just as a last gasp, I tried adding the printer using a TCP port with its static address. Same result.

We're headed out of town for a bit and taking the Lenovo with us so I don't want to monkey with it any more. Since the operating system reinstall required reinstalling all of the apps on the machine, I need to take a closer look at whether that makes sense since the Lenovo is functioning perfectly in all other respects. I'll do this when we get back.

Thanks for all of your help and suggestions! If I reload the operating system I'll let you know how that goes.....