HP Photosmart C5500 Listed As Unspecified Device in Windows 10

[buster921]

After upgrading my PC to the latest cumulative update of Windows 10 version 1903 earlier in November, I was unable to print to my printer, which is connected to my PC via a USB cable. As recommended by HP, I downloaded the appropriate full feature software from HP (PS_AIO_04_C5500_NonNet_Full_Win_WW_140_404-4) and installed it.

Although I now can print from the printer as well as scan via the HP Solution Center software, the printer does not appear in the Printers & Scanners tab of the Windows 10 Devices setting. In addition, although I can find the printer in the Windows Devices and Printers Control Panel, it is shown as an "Unspecified" device instead of being listed as a "Printer".

I am not able to manually change the printer's device settings to "Printer" from "Unspecified". Also, I have uninstalled and re-installed the recommended software several times, switched out USB cables and connected via different USB ports on my PC without success. I need the full features to scan as well as print, so I don't believe an optional "bare bones" driver will meet my needs. Help!!

[buster921]

I'm following up on my original request for help (above) with some additional information. First, my current Windows 10 version is 1909, not 1903. I don't know if that makes any difference. Second, I've since determined that any USB mass storage device, including flash drives and USB external drives, will be listed as "Unspecified" in the Devices and Printers control panel whenever I plug them into my HP Envy Desktop - 750-630xt CTO.

In my attempt to solve this issue, and in addition to the drill of swapping USB ports and cables, I have removed these devices from the control panel, updated the relevant drivers in Device Manager, as well as later uninstalled them in Device Manager. Also, I updated the PC's Intel chipset driver to the most current version available. None of these actions have been successful and the issue is starting to drive me nuts!

I don't know if this is a software issue, a Windows 10 bug, or a hardware problem. However, I ran the HP Hardware Diagnostics utility for my machine and the results were that the PC and tested components passed, so I'm thinking it's probably not hardware that's the cause. I'm running out of ideas here, as well as patience. Any thoughts or assistance would be gratefully accepted.

[TEJ1602]

@buster921, Welcome to HP Support Community!

Let’s first try to fix this issue using HP Print and Scan Doctor (PSDR). PSDR is an automated tool which can diagnose and resolve printing and scanning problems. Please go to http://hp.care/2bZ9w2q to download and run HP PSDR. Once you open the program, select your printer and click on “Fix Printing” to automatically diagnose and fix the issue. 

If the issue persists, then I’d suggest you perform a clean install to try and fix the issue. Restart the print spooler and try uninstalling the drivers-

• Press “Windows key” + “r” to get the “Run” window.
• Type "services.msc" to get Services – Go to “Print spooler” – Right-click and “Stop” the service.
• Now again open "Run" - Type “spool” and ok - Go to PRINTERS folder - delete everything in that folder.
• Go to services again - Start the print spooler.
• First, unplug the USB cable from the printer if present.
• Go to Control panel – Programs and feature – Select all the HP Deskjet printer entries and uninstall them.
• Now go to Control panel – Devices and printer – Select all the printer entries and remove the device.
• Press the "windows key" + "r" to get the "Run" window open - Type "printui.exe /s" (There is a space between .exe & /) and press enter.
• Under print server properties, go to drivers - remove any entry there as well.
• Again, go to the Run window, type – “c:/programdata” – Go to Hewlett Packard folder, remove any printer related folders & files.
• Restart your computer.
• Now click http://hp.care/2s39gqS  to install the software.
• Connect the USB cable if prompted and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Try printing.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

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