Latest Driver Update

[Time2643]

OK, so I just got a driver update for my printer, and low and behold the last thing that it wants is the GPS from my computer in order to finish up, however slight problem with that, I literally don't have access to that part of my computer. My computer is a custom computer that I started off with Windows 10. However when I upgraded the OS to Windows 11, suddenly I'm locked away from the GPS settings and it says that I need an admin in order to get access to those settings (last I knew I was the admin), and I've got no way of getting access to them at all. How can I update a driver that's asking for something that I can't give it, because if I keep trying to update the driver, it'll keep telling me that it didn't finish updating correctly, that there was an error. How do we get around this for me to get the latest driver for the printer?

[Deep_World]

Hi @Time2643,
 
Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

I completely understand how  this must feel  you’re just trying to get your printer updated, and suddenly it’s asking for GPS permissions in your setup. 

To better assist you, could you please share:

• The exact printer model  
• The driver version or update package you’re trying to install.
• Whether you downloaded the driver directly from the HP Support website or through Windows Update.

In the meantime, here are a few  steps you can try:

• Run as Administrator: Right‑click the driver installer file and select Run as administrator. Even if you’re already the admin, this can sometimes bypass permission issues.
• HP Support Website: Instead of using Windows Update, download the latest driver directly from https://support.hp.com/ . This ensures you’re getting the correct package without unnecessary extras.
• Device Manager Update: Open Device Manager, find your printer under Printers, right‑click it, and choose Update driver. Select Browse my computer for drivers and point it to the folder where the driver is saved.
• Windows Location Services: Some drivers mistakenly check for location services. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location and ensure location services are enabled temporarily, then retry the installation.
• Compatibility Mode: If the driver was designed for Windows 10, try installing it in compatibility mode. Right‑click the installer → Properties → Compatibility tab → check Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows 10.

I hope this helps. 

[Time2643]

OK, as you can see here, I can't even update the program any more. I'm going to have to uninstall the program and then reinstall it just to get everything working again. After all, without the driver update, the program no longer sees the printer at all. As you can see in the screenshots, it says it needs access to location data in order to find the printers on my network, and yet on the second screenshot the location is turned off and faded out, and I have no access (and no idea how to access either) to the location ability on my computer. This ONLY happened AFTER I upgraded my OS from Windows 10 to 11. I've looked up how to turn it on (since it needs admin access which, even though I'm the admin) and have found NOTHING about that. So this is the issue that I'm currently facing right now

[Time2643]

Also, here's a screenshot of all the ways to turn the locations services on my computer back on, NONE of them worked at all.

Also, here's how it looks in my settings, and I don't know how to fix this either

[Time2643]

• The exact printer model : HP Smart Tank 7301 All-in-One  
• The driver version or update package you’re trying to install.: What ever the latest version is, the program stopped trying to update
• Whether you downloaded the driver directly from the HP Support website or through Windows Update. It originally was trying to update through the program when I opened it up to try and print something. 

[Hawks_Eye]

Thanks for all the details.

Deep_World is away and I'd be glad to assist you further.

I understand the situation clearly. You are trying to install the latest printer driver, but the update is requesting access to GPS/location services on your Windows 11 computer, and you are unable to adjust those settings even though you are the administrator. 

Let’s go through the recommended steps to ensure the driver installs successfully without requiring GPS access.

Download the driver directly from HP Support:

• Visit the official HP support page: https://support.hp.com
• Enter your printer model in the search box.
• Select your operating system (Windows 11).
• Download the full feature software and driver package.

Install using HP App (instead of GPS prompt):

• Open the HP App on your computer.
• Go to Printers → select your printer.
• Choose Manage → Advanced Settings.
• Use the Diagnose & Fix option. This bypasses location/GPS requirements and ensures the driver installs correctly.

Run the installer as Administrator:

• Right‑click the downloaded driver file.
• Select Run as administrator.
• Follow the on‑screen instructions. This ensures you have full permissions during installation.

Disable location requirement during setup:

• In the HP App, when prompted for location/GPS, select Skip or Not now. The driver installation will continue without requiring GPS access.

Verify installation:

• After installation, open Devices and Printers in Windows.
• Confirm your printer is listed and set as default.
• Print a test page to ensure functionality.

Summary:
You don’t need GPS access to complete the driver update. By downloading the driver directly from HP’s support site, running the installer as administrator, and using the HP App’s Diagnose & Fix tool, you can complete the installation successfully.

Here is the official HP link for drivers:

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[Time2643]

OK, had an issue while trying to access that link you gave me, and I tried the uninstall and reinstall bit (which sometimes works), and I no longer have a printer. Then again when I tried to update the last time, the HP Smart program refused to see the printer because it didn't have access to the GPS at all.

So this is what it looked like when I clicked that link you provided

So, yeah that happened....

[Deep_World]

Hi @Time2643,

Thanks for your response. 

I’m sorry you ran into this after reinstalling. Let’s get your printer back online quickly.

Please follow the below steps : 

• Uninstall the HP Smart app completely from your device and Install the newly launched HP app from your device’s official app store or using this link : https://www.hp.com/us-en/hp-app/overview.html .
• Open the new HP app and allow all requested permissions, especially Location/GPS, Local Network, and Bluetooth if prompted and Use the app to update the printer driver and firmware when prompted.
• Reconnect the printer in the app: power-cycle the printer (turn off, wait 30 seconds, turn on), ensure the printer and your device are on the same Wi‑Fi network, then add the printer through the app’s “Add Printer” or “Set up a new device” flow.
• After connecting, run the app’s update/check tools to complete any remaining driver or firmware installs.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 

Regards

Deep World

 

[Time2643]

OK, I have this on my phone, but I need it on my computer, which I don't have. I looked on the Microsoft Store (which is where the HP Smart app is located). However in that link you provided, it has 3 links (two of which are redundant as they lead to literally the same place), but there isn't one for the Windows 11 computer, and that's what I need the most right now

[Deep_World]

Hi @Time2643,
 

Thanks for your response. 

I understand the situation better now. Since you’re working on a Windows 11 computer, you’ll want to install the new HP app directly from the Microsoft Store rather than relying on the mobile version. 

Here’s how you can get set up:

Uninstall HP Smart: Remove the HP Smart app completely from your PC to avoid conflicts.

Download HP app: Open the Microsoft Store on your Windows 11 computer, search for “HP app,” and install it. This is the replacement for HP Smart on Windows.

Grant permissions: When prompted, allow Location/GPS, Local Network, and Bluetooth access. These are required for the app to detect and connect to your printer.

Reconnect printer: Power-cycle your printer (turn off, wait 30 seconds, turn back on), ensure your PC and printer are on the same Wi‑Fi network, then use the app’s “Add Printer” or “Set up a new device” option.

Update drivers: Once connected, run the update/check tools in the HP app to install the latest drivers and firmware.

This should restore your printer connection on Windows 11 and ensure you’re using the newest driver package.

I hope this helps.