I cannot print! My device does not show up in the print dialogue.

[Quaeludes]

I turned on my PC a couple weeks ago, went to print something, and I could not print. My printer was no longer an option in the print dialogue pop-up screen. My printer shows up twice in "Printers and Scanners" but one of them states "Driver is unavailable", and the other lists the model of the printer and the staus is "Idle". When I attempt to print anything, the printer doesn't show up as an option to print to. I've tried removing the printer (which won't completely remove it) and adding it, to no avil.

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @Quaeludes,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

Thank you for posting your query. I will be glad to help you.

This issue usually happens when the printer driver becomes corrupted, or Windows updates break the printer configuration. Here’s how to fix it step by step:

1. Remove All Printer Instances Completely

• Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.
• Remove both entries for your printer.
• Then open Control Panel → Devices and Printers and ensure it’s gone.
• If it won’t remove, use Print Management: 
  • Press Win + R, type printmanagement.msc.
  • Under All Printers, delete the printer.
  • Under Drivers, remove the associated driver.

2. Clear the Print Spooler

• Press Win + R, type services.msc.
• Find Print Spooler, right-click → Stop.
• Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS and delete all files.
• Restart the Print Spooler service.

3. Download and Install the Latest HP Driver

• Go to Official HP® Support → enter your printer model.
• Download the Full Feature Software and Driver for your printer.
• Run the installer as Administrator.

4. Add Printer Again

• After reinstalling drivers, go to Settings → Printers & scanners → Add device.
• Select your printer when it appears.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

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Regards,

VikramTheGreat