HP Smart endlessly "Installing Printer", not letting me print

[EmKier]

Hello. I've been having some problems with getting my printer to work now that I've switched Internet providers. The newest issue is that HP Smart is claiming I need to install the printer to print with it, but then it never actually installs it. It's always stuck on "Installing Printer" with the loading dots spinning endlessly. I don't know why it isn't detecting that this printer is very much installed, as I've used it in the past and set it up appropriately before that. It's connected to the network and everything (that in itself was a problem that took days to solve as well), but HP Smart just doesn't let me use it so long as it thinks it's not installed.

I saw a similar question on here that suggested opening Programs and Features, deleting the printer, then reinstalling everything. When I open Programs and Features, I can't seem to find what I'd need to uninstall in order to try that method. The printer (or any related programs) isn't listed there. Can't find it by searching the Windows app list either. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've zero clue how to get this issue resolved.

Update: I've tried to uninstall the drivers, but I cannot because they're "in use". I managed to get the printer to (supposedly) install, but then I clicked Print Documents again and it asked me to install the printer, AGAIN....

[Jay_G24]

Hi @EmKier,

I'd like to help!

Let's try and uninstall the printer software from the root level on your PC and install the full feature printer software.

First, unplug the USB cable from the printer if present.

• Go to Control panel – Programs and feature – Select all the HP printer entries and uninstall them.
  • Now go to Control panel – Devices and printer – Select all the printer entries and remove the device.
  • Restart your computer.
  • Click the bottom-left Start button on desktop, type device manager in the search box and tap Device Manager on the menu.
  • Once in device manager, click on the view tab in the top & choose “Show hidden devices”.
  • Then from the device manager list, check the entries under “Printer” – If there are any entries, please right click and choose “uninstall” – In the confirm device un-install pop-up, make sure you select the box which says “Delete the driver software for this device". 
  • Also, check the entries under "printer queue" and "imaging devices" and repeat the same exercise. Delete any printer entry or any entry which says “Unknown device”.
  • Once done, close device-manger. Then press the "windows key" + "r" to get the "Run" window open - Type "printui.exe /s" and press enter.
  • Under print server properties, go to drivers - remove any entry there as well.
  • Again, go running window, type – “c:/programdata” – Go to Hewlett Packard folder, remove any printer related folders & files.
  • Once done you can try cleaning out your temporary files and cached files. You can try using automated applications like some cleaner software's that you can download from the internet.
  • Now restart your computer again.
  • Open the Run window again, type “services.msc” and press ok to get services window.
  • Scroll down to “Remote Procedure Call (RPC)” – right-click and go to properties. Make sure the service is started and startup type is “Automatic”.
  • Now scroll up and go to “Function Discovery Provider Host” – right-click and select properties – Change the startup type to “manual” and start the service.
  • Repeat the same exercise on “Function Discovery Resource Publication” as well
  • Windows image acquisition stop and restart the service 

And then reinstall the printer full-featured drivers from the software and drivers page 

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

And, Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping

[EmKier]

Hi. Thank you for trying to help me. I did everything you listed and it didn't work. I'm still having the same problem. I spent all day re-installing, setting up the printer, running diagnostics on why each step might not be working, but nothing's helped. The tools HP provides for uninstalling things or detecting problems to solve haven't done anything. They all say everything is fine and there's nothing wrong, yet I'm still not allowed to print. I've spent a day to be back in the same place I was, which is rather frustrating. Do you have any other advice?

[Jay_G24]

Try and install the printer with windows built-in drivers-

Set Windows Update to automatically download driver software

Confirm that your computer is set to automatically download driver software.

1. In Windows, search for and open Change device installation settings.

2. In the Device Installation Settings window, select the Yes option, and then click Save Changes.

   

Install the built-in print driver over a network connection with Windows 10 or Windows 8.

1. In Windows, search for and open Control Panel.

2. Click Devices and Printers, and then click Add a printer.

   

3. On the Choose a device or printer to add to this PC window, select your printer, click Next, and then follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver. If your printer is not in the list, continue with these steps.

   

4. Click The printer I want isn't listed, and then select Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings.

   

5. Click Next.

6. Select the port to be used by your printer, such as USB001 for a USB connected printer, and then click Next.

7. Click Windows Update, and then wait for the print drivers to update.

8. Click HP, Hewlett-Packard, or Hewlett Packard in the Manufacturer pane, and then click the name of your printer in the Printers pane.

   • If your printer is in the list, select it, click Next, and then follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver.

   • If your printer is not in the list, click the back arrow in the upper left corner of the window two times to return to the Find a printer by other options step, and then continue with these steps.

9. Select Add a printer using TCP/IP address or hostname, and then click Next.

   

10. Select Autodetect from the Device type drop-down list.

11. Type your printer IP address into the text box, and then click Next.

    To find the printer IP address, print a Wireless Network Test report or a Network Configuration page.

12. Wait for the computer to connect to the printer, and then click Next to install the print driver.

Hope this helps!