Officejet Pro 9018 driver unavailable and will not re-install

[BurtB70]

  My printer driver shows as unavailable on my laptop, I have spent hours with HP Smart, Print and Scan Doctor,  and HP EasyStart. Print and Scan Doctor says I have a driver conflict. I tried to uninstall but that hasn't worked. Tried re-installing printer driver with no success. HP software doesn't find my printer's IP address even though it is online with my home network. I've tried USB to USB cable with  no success. Windows 10 is up-to-date on updates.

Can anyone help? I have tried everything with no success and I can't  print from my home laptop, 

[Dragon-Fur]

@BurtB70 

Welcome to the HP Community Forum.

"Driver Unavailable" might be the result of pieces of the printer software not having been fully uninstalled.

If left over software is the source of the problem, the following procedure might help.

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Method - Use the Easy Start Software to Install HP Smart and / or the Full Feature / Full Driver Software

Easy Start Installation Package - Information and Download / Save

• Open  Home Page - HP Easy Start >> Click to open Category Software and Drivers 
• Download and Save the current version of the Easy Start Software installation package  to install your print software

 Easy Start can be used to install your printer software or the HP Smart application.

If the HP Smart Application is (already) Uninstalled, Use Easy Start OR Get a new copy of the application from the Microsoft Store

If you want to install the full driver printer software, choose the "Full Software and Drivers" option during the Easy Start installation procedure.

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Basic Instructions - (Re)Install the Full Feature Software / Full Driver printer software

Preparation

• If the printer software is still / already installed, Uninstall the printer software  from Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features > Restart the computer and log in – Reference Uninstall HP printer software and drivers

• NOTE:  If the printer also installs Help files - Select and Uninstall the printer help file package from Programs and Features when you are uninstalling the main printer software.

What if?  If software will not uninstall, appears to be removed and is “still hanging around” after you uninstall / Restart...

Microsoft:  Fix problems that block programs from being installed or removed

OR

Revo Uninstaller (Free version)

then

Restart the computer and sign in

• >>> After the printer software is uninstalled, check that the printer is not still lurking in Devices and Printers.  If the printer is listed, Right-Click on the printer and "Remove" > Restart the computer and sign in.

What if?  If there are continuing issues, for example, if you see “Driver unavailable”, add the Steps in the Check and Remove section.  If any changes are made, Restart the computer and log in.

Check_and_Remove_Section_2

Continuing

• If using VPN, shut it off to install software.  NOTE >> If you don’t know what this is, you are not using a VPN – ignore this part.

• Reminder:  If using USB cable between printer and computer, disconnect the cable before installing software.  Later... Connect the cable when instructed (near the end of the installation procedure).

• Observation:  It is possible (assuming your Wireless Network is stable) that using a Wireless connection to install the printer software might work better than using an Ethernet Connection.   Personal choice - the Wireless connection method is recommended when you face insurmountable issues installing the software.

Installation

• Download and Save the Full Feature Software Web Pack installation package or the Easy Start Software
• 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 USB printer cable to connect the printer to the computer, connect the cable when instructed to do so, near the end of the installation procedure
• After the software is installed, Restart the computer and log in

If using Easy Start

• Skip any extra software / offers you do not want – Wording varies as does the number of times you have to “skip” or opt-out of various options.
• When asked, opt for "Full Software and Drivers" (exact wording might vary).
• Easy_Start_Full_Driver_2

What if?  Need OCR?  After the full driver is installed

• Install the Universal Scan Software: HP Universal Scan - Full Feature Software and Driver 
• Restart the computer and sign in

• Software is model dependent:  Reference:  HP printers - Scan as Editable Text (OCR) with HP Scan (Windows)

NOTES

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Preparation > Check / enable the printer as the “Default Printer”

Windows 11

Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers and scanners

Scroll down > Switch OFF Let Windows manage my default printer

Scroll up > Select (Left-Click) your printer from the list of printers > Set as Default

Windows 10

Settings > Devices > Printers and scanners

UNCHECK (clear box) Let Windows manage my default printer

Select (Left-Click) your printer from the list of printers > Manage > Set as Default

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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, Access to the Print and Scan Doctor (Windows), Warranty Check, HP Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, Lots of How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, Manuals > User Guides, Product Information (Specifications), Supplies, and more

Open

HP OfficeJet Pro 9018 All-in-One Printer 

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