HP MFP M479fdw - print driver unavailable

[rjdennison]

This is SO frustrating.

I have tried to install the drivers for this printer many many times, but I still get the same thing... print driver unavailable (so helpful).

I can print from the HP Smart App (Printer status report), but I can NOT print from any application.  Clearly everything WORKS, It's just totally useless in its current state.

Any suggestions on how to fix this error?

[Anderson_CR]

Hello,

Hope you are well, please try to remove the print queue by going to the control panel > devices and printers > remove the printer icon, then please click on the Add printer button and readd the printer. 

If that does not work, please uninstall the printer software from control panel > Programs > uninstall programs, as well you can remove the printer driver by using the Print Management tool. once the drivers and printer are removed, reinstall the printer. 

Regards,

[rjdennison · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the response, but  I tried that multiple times before posting here. HP phone support also offered the same solution and was unable to solve the problem. 

However, I was able to solve the problem myself. Here's an explanation:

In Windows 10:

- go to Printers & Scanners in the settings app

- select the printer, click "manage"

- choose "Printer properties"

- in the properties dialog, choose the "Ports" tab

- The HP printer was using a WSD (Web Services for Devices) port. (note: WSD is meant for auto-discovery and things like that. I suppose it would be the proper way to go if the printer's IP address ever changed, but I had this address reserved for the printer's MAC address in DHCP, so it won't change.)

- click "Add Port"

- in the new dialog, select "Standard TCP/IP Port", click "New Port..." button

-  New dialog opens... click "Next"

- Type the printer's IP address in the "Printer Name or IP Address" field (Port Name field will be populated the same)

- click "Next"

- Windows detects

- Once that's done, and you're back to the Printer Properties dialog, uncheck the WSD port, and check your new port (it will probably be named the IP address you used)

- Click "Apply"

- Click "Close"

Now print a test page, and you should be good to go. Worked for me.

Good luck!