HP EasyStart_17_4_18, 31 March 2026 published Fails

[ClarenceE]

First of all, when the first try at installing drivers for my HP OfficeJet Pro 9120e Series failed to complete, I searched around and found others had the same problem and the suggestion is to disable AntiVirus and Firewall, so i did.  Still, for two full days and approximately 15 attempts, the result is the same, an approximate 40% progress bar then the exit setup button.  What happens from a visual perspective is the progress bar arrives at a place the shows a small jump forward followed immediately by a jump back.  Still, I note that with each try, various HP data loads onto my windows 11 machine.

I come to this forum because the HP Website Help is so very user unfriendly that one cannot send an email and on Saturday and Sundays nobody is at work at HP.  I can only surmise the something in HP's vast system is corrupted, unlike my Windows machines that is not corrupted.

So, now that it is so very difficult to do a U turn, I come here beseeching anyone that can help be solved the HP created problem to respond.  You see, there are various HP remnants on my machine now that makes ridding my machine of the HP installed fragmented data most strenuous, if not impossible for me.  You see, since the installation is still not complete, there is no entry in Control Panel, uninstall to click on to remove.  The Engineer in charge of the latest version of EastStart should be docked some pay.  There no longer is an HP data removal tool and no longer an offline full pack installation app for my OfficeJet.  

Help me, please.

[Pallipurath]

Hi @ClarenceE 

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query.

I understand that you are facing issues with the drivers, and the installation fails every time you try. I kindly request you to follow the steps below.

Remove HP Remnants Manually

• Since the installer never completed, you won’t see an uninstall entry. You’ll need to clean up manually:
• Delete HP folders:
• C:\Program Files\HP
• C:\Program Files (x86)\HP
• C:\ProgramData\HP (hidden folder, enable “Show hidden files” in File Explorer)
• Clear temporary files:
• Press Win + R, type %temp%, and delete any HP‑related files.
• Remove HP print drivers:
• Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
• Right‑click your HP printer → Remove device.
• Open Print Management (printmanagement.msc) → expand Print Servers > Drivers → delete HP drivers.

Use Windows Built‑in Troubleshooter

• Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
• Run the Printer troubleshooter to clear broken references.

Install HP APP and Install Driver 

• Install HP APP https://www.hp.com/us-en/hp-app/overview.html 
• Search for drivers and download it.

Use Windows Update drivers:

• Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners → Add device.
• Windows will install a generic HP driver that works for basic printing.
• Try a universal HP driver: HP provides a Universal Print Driver (UPD) that supports many OfficeJet and LaserJet models.

Firmware & Updates

• Check HP’s support page for a firmware update for your printer. https://support.hp.com/au-en/products 
• Apply it using a USB connection if possible—sometimes firmware fixes driver recognition issues.

Hope this helps, Please revert if the issue persists.

Take care and have an amazing day!

[ClarenceE]

Hello Pallipurath,  Thank you for your recommendations.  I proceeded to remove all of the remnants of the failed HP EasyStart Installation.  I would like to know why that installation does not work.  There used to be a full package installation that could be downloaded from HP and installed off line.  That is why I formally used.  That is no longer available, so this Easy Start seems to be the only one to install everything in one process.  I have not installed the OfficeJet yet.  I want to be certain that the Easy Start will or will not do what it is supposed to do.

[Pallipurath · Accepted solution]

Hi @ClarenceE Thank you for responding, and I’m sorry to hear the issue is still persisting.

HP Easy Start is designed to simplify the printer setup experience by automatically identifying the correct software and drivers for your device and operating system. In some environments, however, factors such as network stability, operating system updates, security software, or previous printer installations can sometimes affect the setup process.

To help improve the chances of a successful installation, I’d recommend trying the following steps:

• Disconnect the printer completely before starting the setup
  • Remove the USB cable if connected
  • If using Wi-Fi setup, keep the printer powered on but not actively connected during the initial steps
• Temporarily disable antivirus, firewall, or VPN software
  • Certain security applications may restrict driver installation or network discovery during setup
• Ensure you are using a stable internet connection
  • HP Easy Start may need to download the latest drivers and setup components during installation
• Run HP Easy Start as Administrator
  • This helps ensure all required permissions are available during installation
• Only connect the printer when prompted by the installer

If the issue continues after these steps, there are still alternate setup options available:

• Use the built-in printer setup available in Windows or macOS
• Download the latest available drivers directly from HP Support
• Add the printer manually using its IP address for network-based setups

We appreciate your patience while troubleshooting this issue, and we’ll continue working with you to help get the printer up and running successfully.

[ClarenceE]

I had previous to your above detailed explanation implemented some of the measures you indicate.  I think the one that helped best was downloading the individual packages first.  Somewhere along the way, I clicked on Easy Start and the full download completed and installed.  Then I encountered a problem with HP Smart.  It insisted I download and install another rendition of print.  In my situation, I use the ReadIRIS PDF 25.  Last year I had real problems with it not capturing my Officejet Scan driver.  I only set to USB, but my OfficeJet is on WiFi to Router and Router to my PC.  After a great deal of hardship not being able to get IRIS PDF to find and use the LAN Connected OfficeJet, the fellow at IRIS helped me with Downloading the HP Full Pack installation and that very critical phase of avoiding the initial USB installation and instead making certain to select the LAN.  That did the trick and for nearly a year both my machine and my wife's hap PDF working correctly using the OfficeJet correct scan driver,

However, after a recent Windows 11 download that fouled up my wife's machine, I had to reinstall windows followed by all apps install, including OfficeJet.  That brought us to me going to HP website and lo and behold, no HP Full installation to be found there, but the EasyStart described as complete, or full. That is where the trouble began for us.

Anyway, it is solved now.  The software is doing its job now, but it was not easy to get it downloaded and working.

Thank you for your customer concern.  Even an HP Tech was involved and threw in the towel.