HP smart stuck at installing ink

[boneys26]

Reinstalled windows 10 a few weeks ago, installed HP smart the other day (no a big printer) 

I've linked the printer but HP smart asks to finish setup, I click the link and it opens step one "time to install ink" with a big blank white box in the middle of the app, can't move on, ink is already installed I've even used the printer, little link in the bottle right corner "skip installing ink" can't click it I think the blank white box is blocking any interaction on the window the only option I have available to me is "exit setup" that takes me back to "finish setup" and round and round I go.. problem is the app not the printer.

[Jay_G24]

Hi @boneys26,

I'd like to help!

Try the below suggestions-

1)Uninstall HP Smart 

2)Install all the available Windows updates

If it is been a while since you updated your Windows, that is the main reason why Windows says your HP printer driver is unavailable. Here are the steps how to do a Windows Update to install all accessible operating system update.

If you are accessing Windows 10, then these steps are for you.

1. Hit the Start menu and write an update. After that, click on the “Check for updates” option.
2. Tap on the “Check for updates” option.
3. After clicking on that option, Windows will install the updates automatically.
4. When Windows completes all its updates, start your computer again and attempt to print a file to check if your printer works.

3) try updating the printer's firmware - HP Printers - Updating or Upgrading Printer Firmware 

4)Reinstall HP Smart from the Application store.

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

[boneys26 · Accepted solution]

As you can see from my first post, the printer works, it is not a driver issue.

Windows is 100% up to date and has not long been reinstalled. I have reinstalled the app a few times making sure to clean and optimise the SSD also run SFC /scannow command in CMD as admin, no errors.

The printer has the latest firmware (was the first thing I done along with checking drivers) doesn't matter what I do when it comes to ink I'm faced with the same blank box in the app and forced to exit.

I was able to complete the setup by manually uninstalling the app and hunting down registry entries and manually removing them, then reinstalling the app after restarting, however, the app failed to record the fact I opened the printer ink cover and hung on stage 4 but I was able to "skip installing ink" to complete the installation. this was via a wifi setup as the printer doesn't come with a USB lead I was unable to setup via USB.