HP Smart disables working USB driver after reboot — only Fax installs without manual workaround

[JimPrinterError]

After restarting my network, my previously functional HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e stopped working. The printer defaulted to a “Fax” profile and HP Smart was unable to reinstall it properly over USB.

I downloaded the full Webpack installer, extracted the files, and manually installed the driver using control printers → “Have Disk” and hpvplj09.inf. Then I had to manually select USB001, disable bidirectional support, and reboot the system to get prints working.

Even then, print jobs hang for a long time or sometimes error out before finally printing. This was never an issue before — something in the new driver or Smart workflow is breaking USB setup. It’s especially frustrating that the fax install is prioritized over the working print driver.

Please fix this regression. I spent hours resolving what used to be a plug-and-play process.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @JimPrinterError,

Welcome to the HP Support Community! 

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding your printer!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

Try these steps:

Ensuring the Correct Driver is Installed:

• Download the driver from the HP Support Website specific to your HP OfficeJet Pro 9025e.
• Use the "Have Disk" method as you have done, but make sure you have selected the correct driver file (hpvplj09.inf).

Confirming USB Port Configuration:

• Make sure that the printer is configured to use the correct USB port (e.g., USB001). This can be set during driver installation or adjusted later via the printer properties.

Disable Bidirectional Communication:

• Explore the printer properties in Windows and disable bidirectional support, if needed. This sometimes resolves communication issues.

Resetting HP Smart Utility:

• Consider uninstalling and reinstalling the HP Smart application, ensuring that no residual corrupted data is causing conflicts.

Re-install USB Drivers:

• Use Windows Device Manager to uninstall and then reinstall USB drivers, ensuring they reset properly.

Check Cable and Connection:

• Verify that your USB cable is in good condition and properly connected. Trying different USB ports on the computer may also help.

I hope this helps.

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