HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 "Driver Unavailable"

[alexlozano2857]

I have a Lenovo T460 with Windows 10 64-bit and have never been able to connect to the HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 in my home. My wife that has a Surface is able to connect to it no problem. I'm an electrical engineer and have gone through the uninstalling and reinstalling drivers over 5 times, every which way (through HP Smart, manually, etc.) and I still cannot print. All drivers on the actual printer are up to date and I get a "driver unavailable" no matter what I do or how many laptop restarts I do. Any help other than uninstalling and reinstalling drivers would be greatly appreciated.

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@alexlozano2857 

You likely need / want to use a TCP/IP port for the connection.

This version of the Doctor might fix the underlying issue without you having to add the port manually...

Offline Doctor V5.0.6

• Download and Save the doctor to your computer
• Open File Explorer > Navigate to the folder in which you saved the file (likely Downloads)
• Execute the doctor – Answer any prompts /  let the process complete
• Restart the computer, log in, and wait for the final steps in the Doctor to finish.
• Check for any difference.

  Version = V5.0.6

  HPPSdr.exe

NOTES – Contributed by ShlomiL

Paraphrased

Use of Print and Scan Doctor Version 5.0.6 creates a secondary queue for printing with TCP/IP port.

Check

If necessary, Adjust the “Default” printing device (Default Printer)

Open Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers

Right-Click on the printer NOT marked as “Scan Only / DO NOT DELETE”

Set printer as Default

Example – Printers listed in Devices and Printers

Printer = HP OfficeJet Pro 9020 series PCL-3 <<< Set main printer as “Default”

Printer = Scan Only -HP OfficeJet Pro 9020 series PCL-3 (Network)-DO NOT DELETE

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More information...

NOTE that the first option "adds" the printer and Windows print drivers but does not install the Full Feature Software for the printer.

Method – Add printer using TCP/IP

Please try adding the printer using the printer’s IP address

Find the IP Address of the printer on the Printer control panel (touch Wireless button)

Control Panel > icon view Devices and Printers

Click in the top ribbon, Add a Printer

Wait till the menu starts…
Select / Click The printer that I want isn’t listed
Select / Click Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname

Select / Click Next
Device Type > Select in Drop-Down Menu:  TCP/IP Device

Hostname or IP Address > Enter the IP Address of the printer

(Skip Port Name)

Select / Click Next

More information may be needed.

OR

Method - Create TCP IP port

** Install – Optional - Port Issues - Create a TCP/IP port **

TCP/IP can resolve odd connection, scanning, and installation problems.

Create / Switch to a TCP/IP Port to facilitate communication and prevent ‘offline’ issues

How-to “Create TCP Port” Contributed by  greenturtle:

1. 
   
   1. Print a Configuration Page to get the printer's IPv4 address (you can also tap on the wireless icon on the Front panel of your Printer to get the IP address)
   2. On your PC, go to Control Panel, from Devices and Printers, Right-Click the printer and Left-Click Printer Properties, select the Ports tab.
   3. Click Add Port, select Standard TCP/IP Port, then select New Port and follow the wizard.
   4. Type in the proper IP address for the printer.
   
   This video resource will show you how to do it:
   Create & Use TCP IP port
   
   Note that you can ALWAYS revert back to the original port that the HP software installed by selecting the HP port under the Ports tab (in Printer Properties)

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Reference and Resources – (More) Places to find help, solve problems, and learn how to use your Printer

Printer Homepage – “Things that are your printer”

NOTE:  Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories:  Alerts, Access to the Print and Scan Doctor (Windows), Warranty Check, HP Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, Lots of How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, User Guides / Manuals, Product Information (Specifications), more

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

HP OfficeJet Pro 8720 All-in-One Printer series

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