HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 All-in-One Printer install set not fails on surface laptop with ARM

[YogaBoy905]

This new Microsoft Surface Laptop uses a Qualcomm ARM processor.  The printer works with generic Microsoft print & scan drivers but I can't install the HP printer application software - none of it will install completely and fails without a error code.

[Sneha_01 · Accepted solution]

Hi @YogaBoy905 

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It sounds like you're facing compatibility issues trying to install the HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 software on your Microsoft Surface Laptop with an ARM processor. The ARM architecture can sometimes cause compatibility issues with certain software, especially older drivers or applications that aren’t designed for ARM-based systems.

Here are some steps you can try to resolve the issue and get your HP printer working properly on your Surface Laptop with the Qualcomm ARM processor.

1. Check Software Compatibility for ARM

First, confirm that the HP software you're trying to install supports ARM architecture. Many traditional Windows applications and drivers were designed for x86 (Intel/AMD) processors, and while Windows 11 on ARM does support emulation for these apps, it may not always work seamlessly with every piece of software.

• HP Printer Drivers: HP has made strides in supporting ARM-based devices, but not all printer drivers may be optimized for ARM yet.
• You can check the HP website for specific mentions of ARM support, or look for any "ARM64" versions of the drivers.

2. Use Generic Windows 11 Drivers

Since the printer is working with the generic Microsoft print and scan drivers, this indicates that basic functionality (like printing) is already available, but the full HP software suite (e.g., HP Smart, HP Scan, and other utilities) may not be installing because it’s not compatible with ARM processors.

For scanning and additional functionality, try the following alternatives:

• Windows Fax and Scan: This is a built-in Windows tool that can handle basic scanning functions.
  1. Go to Start > Windows Accessories > Windows Fax and Scan.
  2. Select New Scan from the toolbar to scan your documents.
• HP Smart App (ARM Version): HP has released HP Smart on the Microsoft Store, which may support ARM devices.
  1. Go to the Microsoft Store and search for HP Smart.
  2. Install the app and see if it can detect the printer.
  3. If it doesn’t work, try running the HP Smart App in compatibility mode (see steps below).

3. Run the HP Software in Compatibility Mode

If you have the HP printer drivers and HP software already downloaded but they’re not installing properly, you might try running them in compatibility mode for an Intel-based version of Windows.

Here’s how:

1. Right-click the HP software installer (.exe file) and select Properties.
2. Go to the Compatibility tab.Check the box for Run this program in compatibility mode for and select Windows 10 or Windows 8.
3. Click Apply, then OK.Run the installer again and see if it successfully installs.

4. Use the Latest HP Universal Print Driver (UPD)

HP offers the Universal Print Driver (UPD), which is designed to work with a wide range of HP printers and is often a better choice for compatibility, especially with newer operating systems or ARM-based devices.

1. Go to the HP Universal Print Driver download page: HP Universal Print Driver.Choose the correct printer model (HP OfficeJet Pro 8720).
2. Download and install the Universal Print Driver.This should give you basic print functionality, and it may also support some scanning functions, depending on the version.

5. Try the HP Print and Scan Doctor (ARM Compatibility)

The HP Print and Scan Doctor is a useful tool for troubleshooting printer installation issues. However, it may not be fully compatible with ARM-based systems. If you haven’t tried it yet:

1. Download and install the HP Print and Scan Doctor from HP's website.Run the tool and see if it can resolve any issues related to the printer connection or scanning features.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support

[YogaBoy905]

The solution was to install the HP Smart app from the Windows Store - now I have functionality - thank you