Lost Driver for HP 7645 printer in Win 11

[jwt1944]

Every so often, I receive a settings message that states that for my HP Envy 7645 printer, it cannot find a driver.  The printer is then removed from my blue tooth list of items in settings.

I go to find the driver and it find it and I receive a message that it has been downloaded or found but whenever I click upon finish everything "goes away".  I used to be able to download the drivers before but no longer.

I do not know -understand why it goes away and also now why I cannot reload it.

[Dragon-Fur]

@jwt1944 

Welcome to the HP Community --

Honestly, I agree that it did used to seem easier.

I've had more trouble installing printer software in the last couple years than in all the preceding decades (not a misprint).

Why?

There are more options, for one thing -- even less capable newer printers are more complicated than they seem on the surface.  The added complexity is mostly due to communication improvements.  Yes, it sounds counterintuitive.

OK - Some of the contributors to printer software lost, died, unavailable, hung, won't download, can't install, installs partway and sits there

• Windows Updates - Updates stomp on installed software all the time.  Most of the time the software continues to work, at least after the computers are restarted.
• Changing network - Networks change all the time -- unless you have just one single device connected to the network and that device is idle, networks are generally very busy places.
• Router - Issues include, poorly located, not fully configured, weak, aged router that should be controlling the network but is struggling to manage resources.
• Connection type -- TCP/IP is frequently better, Ethernet is generally better than wireless, static IP addresses are generally more stable than letting devices just come and go.
• Browsers - Poor security, too much security, or overly strict, poorly written code.
• Printers - Older printers struggle with newer network configurations.  Older printers might not support 5GHz, for example, or cannot run in a Mesh Network.
• VPN -  At the least, make sure VPN is switched off then you are downloading and installing printer software that must use your network.
• Poorly written code (programs) -- bad code is the bane of all users. 

You can impact the process:

• Keep Windows Updates current -- make sure that the system is not pending a restart for recently installed Updates.
• Use Ethernet if you have it.
• Change the Connection type to TCP/IP
• Assign the printer its own IP address.  Use the control panel on the printer (instructions in the User Guide) or use EWS to check / adjust the IPV4 settings and the SSID named network connection.
• If you have to use Wireless, consider that even if you can get the printer to connect to 5GHz, the connection might be more stable on 2.4GHz.  Don't expect the printer to do well in a Mesh network.
• Uninstall the existing printer software and clear out all the hiding places where pieces of software hide when the uninstall process does not complete for any reason (Check and Remove).

I cannot tell you which of the steps will help -- most won't hurt in the sense that all the ideas are generally improvements and won't make things worse even if they don't provide the magic you seek.

Do what you are willing to do and skip what does not make sense or does not fit your situation.

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Method - Windows - Create TCP IP port (InkJet Printer) - Change connection type

Method - Create / Change-to TCP/IP port

TCP/IP can resolve odd connection, scanning, and installation problems.

Create / Switch to a TCP/IP Port to facilitate communication and prevent ‘offline’ issues

Find the printer's IPv4 address

Print a Configuration Page

OR

Tap on the wireless icon on the Front panel of your Printer to get the IP address

Next,

Windows 11

Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Select Printer > Printer Properties

OR
Control Panel > icon view > Devices and Printers > Right-Click the printer > Left-Click Printer Properties

Tab Ports
Click Add Port

Select Standard TCP/IP Port

Select New Port and follow the instructions
Type in the correct IP address for the printer

Example - How-to “Create TCP Port” Contributed by greenturtle

Video: Create & Use TCP IP port
“Note that you can ALWAYS revert back to the original port that the HP software installed by selecting the HP port within the Ports tab (in Printer Properties)”

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EWS – IPv4 - Check / Adjust the printer connection - SSID named network

Manual IP Address

EWS > HP Document / How-to

Use the HP printer Embedded Web Server (EWS)

NOTE:  Find printer IP address

Section How do I manually assign an IP address to my printer?  Items 1-2

Ethernet

Open your Browser > Type / enter the Printer IP address into URL / Address bar

Tab Network > Wired (802.3) > IPv4 Configuration

Wireless

Open your Browser > Type / enter the Printer IP address into URL / Address bar

Tab Network > Wireless (802.11) > IPv4 Configuration

As Available:

Tab Network > Wireless (802.11) > Advanced

Network Interface on / off, Network SSID name, Security Settings, Passphrase / Password

Select and connect to the correct SSID / network name for the bandwidth you are using.

Note:   It is not mandatory that you use a manual / static IP address.  Doing so can improve stability.

EWS_9025_Network_IPv4_Configuration_3

EWS_9025_Network_Wireless_IPv4_Advanced_2

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Uninstall Printer Software

If the error is not too deeply embedded in Windows, you might be able to clear out enough of the pieces of the software so the (re)installation can succeed.

Uninstall the printer software from Programs and Features on the system where it is not working.

and...

What if?

If you are having trouble using or installing the software, for example, everything goes along swimmingly and suddenly you see "Driver Unavailable" or other odd installation problems, Add the steps in the Check and Remove Section when uninstalling the printer software.

Note that clearing the bits out of the various hiding places does not help the "blank white" menu that might show up in the middle of an installation.  At this writing the only way I've found to even partly recover from the Big White Box is to "X" out of the blank menu and hope the installation code comes back and tries to continue...

Example - Check and Remove Section

Check_and_Remove_Section_5

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Printer - Full Feature Software - Install

• HP Full Feature Software / Full Driver printer software - supports printing and scanning from the web, printing in in other software and programs (for example, Word), and provides access to the full range of Printing Preferences / Shortcuts.  The full driver adds at least two shortcuts to the Desktop:  Printer Assistant and HP Scan.  If the printer model includes built-in Fax hardware, the software supports the setup and use of the Fax driver.  No Sign-in required.

Next,

• If using a printer USB cable between the printer and the computer, disconnect the cable before installing the printer software.

• Download and Save the Full Feature Software installation package or the Easy Start Software

Details Page - Driver - For your Printer

>>> Full Feature Software - Web Pack Installation Package - Information - Download / Save / Install  <<<

HP ENVY 7640 e-All-in-One Printer series Full Feature Software and Drivers 

Installation

• Open File Explorer
• Navigate to the folder in which you saved the installation file  (likely Downloads)
• Right-Click on the installation package and “Run as Administrator”
• If using a printer USB cable between the printer and the computer, connect the cable when instructed (near the end of the installation).
• After the software is installed, Restart the computer and log in

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The installation of the full driver adds at least two shortcuts to the Desktop:  

Printer Assistant 

HP Scan

>>> Open the Printer Assistant > tab Scan > Manage Scan to Computer > Enable

Example - Windows - Full Feature Software - Installed in Programs and Features

Programs_and_Features_Printer_Desktop_Icons_11

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References / Resources

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Dual Band Network - Considerations

Reminders 

Do not ignore your router --

A router that is weak, outdated, poorly located, or incorrectly configured can cause all sorts of odd network behavior issues.

If the printer supports it, connecting using Ethernet is generally a better choice.

Some printers, particularly older models, only support Wireless at 2.4GHz

Some printers support Wireless at both 5GHz and 2.4GHz – but not at the same time

Regardless, if the printer won't work or cannot connect to your 5GHz SSID named network, connect to the 2.4GHz network.

If you are running a Dual Band Network,

 Check that the router is set up to broadcast all frequencies it supports.

Next,

If your router supports it,

On your router:

 Create a separate SSID named network for each frequency supported by the router

 What?  Create one SSID named network for 5GHz and one SSID named network for 2.4GHz

and

 Connect the printer to the SSID named network on the frequency / band you want it to use.

In general,

• 2.4GHz is less fussy about obstacles and supports a longer distance (separation) between router and device (printer)
• 5GHz is faster

HP Printer Home Page - References and Resources

Learn about your Printer - Solve Problems

“Things that are your printer”

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

NOTE: Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories: Alerts, Troubleshooting, Ink & Paper, HP Software / Drivers / Firmware Updates , Setup & User Guides, Product Specifications, Account & Registration, Warranty & Repair

Open

HP ENVY 7645 e-All-in-One Printer  

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