HP Envy 7640 drivers won't install

[jckerns]

We recently had to restore our computer and then apply all new Windows update. In that process our printer quit functioning. We were connecting wireless.

I have downloaded latest drivers and Print and Scan Doctor and run them many times both normal user and administrator. I have unplugged the printer, shut down and started the computer and changed wireless settings. I have also turned off wireless and tried USB connection. i have removed the printer via Control Panel, uninstalled HP software and run McAfee Clean to clean registry and temp files.

With wireless I receive the error that I can't install over the network. The printer does not even appear in control panel.

WIth USB I get a Fax device installed which seems to work. When I run P&S Doctor, I get a message that the softwware is not installed and try to install it. It works until I select USB connection and then it tells me the computer and printer are not connected.

I tried to do a Add Printer and manual install but that gave me an error

When I try to do Windows Add Printer, it cannot find the printer and a manual install gives an error "Windows can't install the HP Envy 7640 series kernal-mode print driver. To obtain a driver that is compatible with the version of Windows you are running, contact the manufacturer".

All current Windows 10 updates have been applied.

This unit is a replacement of a replacement from HP due to prior 2 units failing. The extra warranty period is expired.

We have had to reinstall the printer software over and over many times but this is the first time it will not install.

I have tried every solution I have seen on these forums and am out of ideas. I thought the USB would be an easy install but that won't even work. Any help will be appreciated.

[Rainbow23]

Hi @jckerns,

Welcome to HP Forums, this is a great place to get support, find answers and tips.

Thank you for posting your query, I'll be more than glad to help you out.

I understand that your HP ENVY 7640 e-All-in-One Printer does not get detected after connecting the USB cable during the software installation process.

Let's go through a few steps that may help to fix this issue.

And here is the step by step guide in the link: http://hp.care/2ipxgOs     

You may also update the firmware from the link: Firmware Update

Let me know how that works.

You have a good day ahead.

[jckerns]

I tried to follow the instructions in the link. The firmware update came back that it was not applicable. 

I still cannot install the printer either USB or wireless. Here are snapshots of device manager and devices.

The things I notice are that the scan and fax seem to work. If I print to the Fax - HP Envy "printer" it brings up a fax menu.  

If I try to use device manager to update driver for the printer, it tells me it that the device is already installed with the best driver and to look on manufacturer's site for drivers.

If I try to update the USB NULL - printer it errors with "the printer driver is not compatible with a policy enabled on your comnputer that blocks NT 4.0 drivers".

I have tried every USB port on the system. I have also installed this printer to 2 laptops running Windows 10, one from an update and one that came with 10 installed. I can also print to it via my ipad. 

[techneer]

My customer has the same problem. A technician from Staples suggested that the newer printers preferred to connect via WiFi, and that they 'resisted' connection via USB. This doesn't make any sense to me, but perhaps that is the case these days. 

I'm also getting an error message: Windows cn't intall the HP Envy 7640 series kernel-mode driver.

The computer is a DELL AIO running Microsoft Windows 10 Home Version 10.0.15063 Build 15063. I've tried updating the USB drivers and the system is up to date regarding Windows Updates.

I also tried connecting via WiFi and WiFi Direct. No dice.

The customer's previous printer was a HP Officejet 5740, virtually identical to this printer, and it exhibited the same behavior. I tried a CMD-based fix for the kernel-mode driver error with that one, but it didn't have any effect.

This is really surprising since my previous experience with HP printers was mostly trouble-free.

[DangerousCliffs]

I had the same problem,

It took me a few hours to figure out what was going wrong as HP solutions doesn't seem to have the answer either.

I followed all of HP's advise and solutions but nothing worked, the software would always fail to install the printer correctly.

So I had a play around to fix it myself as this is my Job ( and no I don't work for HP ). lol

I believe the issue is caused by a windows 10 build update which upsets the HP reg key.

follow these steps and I think you will find your printer/scanner Wireless and USB will work again.

1,  go to Printers & Scanners, delete your HP printer.

2,  go to add and remove programmes, Uninstall all your HP software.

3, press the windows key +r  or in the search bar type regedit and enter.

     In the registry go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Hewlett-Packard, Right click on this and press delete

     The next key down should be HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\HP, right click again and delete.

     Then go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\HP, right click and delete again.

     This should have removed all your HP reg keys related to your hp printer.

4, Restart your pc/ laptop

5, Now Install your printer drivers and software

Everything should work,  so goodluck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dcluggy]

I had the exact same experience all previous posts mentioned after reinstalling Windows 10, down to every detail mentioned.   Was a solution ever found for this?   I tried the regedit fix also suggested but that did not work for me.  It appears that no matter what connection is used the printer won't connect to the computer.   When trying USB it appeared to connect then dropped the connection every time.  When using wireless or lan, the software sees the printer but won't install the HP software.

This printer worked like a champ with Windows 10 Upgrade from Windows 7 but as soon as I reinstalled Windows 10 then the printer will no longer install.   Not sure if it is a HP or MS issue but I really wish they would find the problem.

I did try the HP Printer App available from the MS store and with it I can print from my laptop even though the HP drivers won't install.

Don

[KobaltTX]

I had the EXACT same issue and I kept trying over the course of the past 3 months on and off attempting to get the printer to work.  I tried wireless, ethernet and usb methods and all had the same result.  I redownloaded the drivers numerous times and used the same "delete the drivers" methods posted elsewhere in these forums.  I reset all of my network settings, updated firmware, ect.

I did find the solution that fixed my issue.

I turned off the firewall to my MSE virus protection.  As soon as I did that, it installed without issue.  After it installed I printed a random document.  Worked great. I turned the firewall back on and attempted to print another document.  I got a pop-up asking if I wanted to allow a specific function of the HP program.  I clicked allow and all functions work great now.

I would recommend giving this method a try if you don't have it fixed already.

Note: What confused me was that I was getting blocked even when connected via usb.  I am currently using the wireless connection but have not tested the usb connection after successfully getting it to work wirelessly.  

[Dcluggy]

This last reply did the trick for me.   Turning off the firewall and antivirus allowed me to get the software installed.  It was still a little finiky in that it would not install wirelessly but once install via USB then I changed that connection to wireless and all is now good under the hood.

[jerroidr]

Thank you for these steps. Everything installed and my printer is working now. Thanks!!