In Windows 10 - My HP Deskjet F370 All-in-one is detected only as Scanner (not Printer)

[maltepan]

I just upgraded my HP 250 Laptop to Windows 10.

Downloaded All-in-one software for Deskjet F300 series (AIO_CDB_NonNet_Full_Win_WW_140_408-4) from HP.

Now my device is recognised only as a scanner. I cannot print, it says that No Printers are installed. My F370 is listed in "other devices"

[Dragon-Fur]

@maltepan

I have seen instances where older Full Feature Software (V14.x) that did work in Windows 10 is, in some cases, no longer working as expected on upgraded Windows 10, or even clean install Windows 10 with latest Updates...

If this is the case with this printer and software, and the old Full Feature Software is not going to work for you, consider / try the Add-a-Printer procedure that loads Windows 10 Drivers.

If it works, the Windows 10 Drivers will at least provide print function, though perhaps not much more.

HP Document and video:

• HP Printers - Installing and Using the Windows Built-in Print Driver

Description:  This document is for HP printers that do not have a full feature HP driver for Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista.

If a full feature driver from HP is not available for your printer, you must install the built-in print driver.

Example – Add a Printer

Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers > Add a Printer (along top in ribbon)

Click The printer that I want isn’t listed

Click Add a Local or Network Printer…

Click Next

Choose a Printer Port window:

Use an existing port drop-down list, select LPT1: (Printer Port)

[ NOTE for USB:  Look for USB001 or other USB00# > Select the highest Port listed ]

Install the Printer window:

Left column:  HP

Right column: Scroll, search, select (click) printer

And / or if Printer is not found in list:

Click Windows Updates

Wait several minutes for list to update

Left column:  HP

Right column:  Scroll, search, select printer

Choose a Printer Port window:

Use an existing port drop-down list, select LPT1: (Printer Port)

[ NOTE for USB:  Look for USB001 or other USB00# > Select the highest Port listed ]

Click Yes to “…allow this app to make changes to your device” (UAC)

Optional: Type a printer Name or use the default

Next > Wait for printer software to install …

Next >

Click Share this printer so that others on your network can find and use it

Optional:  Fill in information for printer location and a comment

Optional:  Click Set as the default printer

Optional:  Click to Print a test page > Finish

Reference

Printer Homepage – “Things that are your printer”

Drivers and Software, Videos, How-to, Troubleshooting, Manuals, Product Information, and more

HP Deskjet F370 All-in-One Printer

@ShlomiL-

I would love to be wrong about this. 

Do you have a better option? 

"Reg" and rename folders fix work for this one?

Click Thumbs Up on a post to say Thank You!

Answered? Click post "Accept as Solution" to help others find it.

[ShlomiL]

Hi @maltepan,

Click the Start button and type %temp% into the search bar, then open the shown Temp folder.

Open the latest HP installation folder which begins with 7z (e.g. 7zs1234)

Copy the folder path from the address bar.

From the Device Manager ex[end the Other Devices category, right click the shown printer and select Update Driver Software, paste the installation folder's path into the path and follow th steps on screen to update the driver.

If the driver update successfolly you should now see a printer added too.

If the update fails to update due to NT4.0 driver issuie follow these steps to resolve a such:

**Be aware that if you have other printers installed on your PC, those will need to be reinstalled too once completing these steps.

1. Uninstall the HP F370 Software from your PC.
2. Backup your registry prior making any registry changes:
https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c03485724
3. Update your registry using the Reg file below (that will change some printer related policies for your PC):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/avbv56zdgwv7600/kernel.reg?dl=1
4. Right click the Start menu and select Run.
Type Services.msc and press OK.
Locate and stop the Print Spooler service
5. Browse to c:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers.
Rename W32X86 to W32x86.old
Rename x64 to x64.old
Note: if any of these folders fail to rename reboot your PC and then Continue following the steps starting from Step 4...
6. Restart your computer.
7. Reinstall the HP Software and check for any difference

@Dragon-Fur- somehow renaming a folder always ends with the same folders 😉

Please let me know the results,
Shlomi

[maltepan]

Sorry, 

1st solution did not work.

2nd, there were no files in c:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers (except a folder named "color". Tried to do the rest but it did not work, either.

In fact, I noticed some more:

1. If I go inside the F370 hardware properties, I can see some functions that says : Printer. I tried to re-install drivers, but I got the answer that the best driver is already installed.

2. I tried re-install windows. Nothing.

3. When I try to install the HP Photosmart .... software, I have difficulties. I get the message for some missing "ntprint.inf" file. I found one and copied it in the windows folder, so I continued all the rest.

[ShlomiL]

Hi,

I suggest contacting Microsoft and check if the c:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers lack any system subfolders, such folders must exist under this folder when the Print Spooler service of your operating system work as expected (the service responsible of any print processing by your OS)...

Also the lack of ntprint.inf reported while installing indicate lack of system files of your operating system...

[maltepan]

I have installed same printer in other computer with Windows 10 (automatically,with no installation CD). Can I use same files (copy-paste or something else?)?

My version in computers where I have problems is Windows 10 Lite. Does it matter? Like, missing functions or files?

[ShlomiL · Accepted solution]

Well, Windows 10 Lite is not an official release by Microsoft.

According a Google search it is a customized version, intended for Gamers or Administrators which is slimmed down and cn be customized to lack system services, therefore I would say the answer would be yes, it is likely lack some services required printing, etc...

For your question if you may copy the files from another PC, I can't really say what affect it may have on such envoirnment...

Shlomi