Officejet 4650 driver unavailable

[LC9903]

My desktop had virus and so I reset it, more than once. The printer was working before and after the resets. I took my CPU to an IT guy friend to make sure it was clear of viruses. However, the next time I tried to print, the printer wasnt working. I tried several times to uninstall the software, both through the CD provided and the HP setup website and the problem remains. The setup always notifies me that my printer is ready and setup, but Windows does not recognize any installed printer on my computer when I run a troubleshoot. Also, when I try to add the printer,  it always notifies me that a driver is unavailbale. I then try to add the drivers for my product from the HP site and it takes me through the whole setup process again...and nothing gets resolved. I am trying to setup this printer wirelessly and on the printer it says it's connceted to my Wi-fi. Has anyone else gone through this? Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

[ShlomiL]

Hi,
Please follow the steps below to resolve such an error:

**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 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 delete 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

Please let me know the results,
Shlomi

[LC9903]

Hi thank you so much for the help. I understand until I get to step 5. Where do I type it In? Do you mean opening Explorer and typing in that info? Thanks.

[ShlomiL]

Hi,

I mean to access that folder path on your computer (Yes,  I mean opening Explorer and typing in that info. assuming you refer to File Explorer and not to Internet Explorer..)

e.g. click the folder icon on the taskbar, then press the Quick Access bar at the top, paste the path and press enter.

As well you may right click the Start menu, select Run, then paste the path and press OK to open the folder.

[LC9903]

Hi thanks again. The computer gave me a message that says "printer driver is not compatiblewith a policy enabled on my computer that blocks NT 4.0 drivers".  I will try to continue the solution you gave me before.  Do you think it will take care of this problem too? And do you think I would encounter this same problem if I try to install another printer that is not HP?

[ShlomiL · Accepted solution]

Yes,

Please follow these steps, these should take care to the NT 4.0 error which I suspected to cause the described behavior...

[LC9903]

Thank you very much, Shlomil. I tried your suggestion and my printer is finally working again!