HP LaserJet 1018 is shown as 'Unspecified' device in Win10 and not working

[TanyaBo]

Hi everyone, 

I have a problem with my old HP Laserjet 1018. I recently bought a new laptop with Win 10 on board. Now I'm trying to install the printer and it's not working. Windows 10 shows it under 'Unspecified' devices in Control Panel Devices and Printers.  When I open the Control Panel Devices list via running devmgmt.msc it is not visible under Printers submenu even with the 'Show hidden devices' enabled. Whatever I do it doesn't solve the problem. 

I still have a Win 8.1 laptop and the printer works fine with it. Sure, it took me several hours to get it working there, but it worked. Here I'm lost. 

I've tried removing the unspecified device and then installing the in-system drivers again, I tried using HP PrintDoctor, HP Smart, some other stuff. Nothing works. 

HP PrintDoctor can actually identify the printer, it shows 'No drivers installed' and suggests that I install the drivers by clicking the button. But that button opens my browser on a page that's not found. 

Can someone please help me with this? 

Thanks a lot. 

[sandytechy20]

@TanyaBo

Welcome to HP support community.

Did you uninstall the old printer from root level first?

If not, follow the below steps:

Perform root level uninstallation to remove all the printer related software's.

• In Windows, search for and open Programs and Features.
• Select your HP printer.
• Select Uninstall.
• In Windows, search for and open Devices and Printers.
• In the Devices and Printers window look for your HP Printer. If you see it listed, right-click on it and choose "Delete" or "Remove Device.”
• Open up the run command with the "Windows Key + R" key combo.
• Type printui.exe /s and click OK.
• Click on Drivers tab.
• Look for HP Printer driver. If you see it click on it and click Remove at the bottom.
• Select OK.
• Remove all instances of the same.
• Select Apply and OK on the Print Server Properties windows.
• Close Devices and Printers. 
• Restart the PC again.

You can install printer using Windows built in driver.

Here are the steps:- Click here

I hope that helps.

To thank me for my efforts to help you, please mark my post as an accepted solution so that it benefits several others.

Cheers.