Printer Driver is unavailable

[L-K_2011]

unable to print due to driver being unavailable. tried multiple ways to no avail. downloaded the basic driver and HPSmart to assist but nothing. This occurred when I got a new computer with Windows 10. Any help would be greatly appreciated. 

[burduni]

We're having the same issue with 4 different home users that have 4 different HP printers. I've tried everything, including registry changes in order to get printui.exe to delete the HP driver and package from the system. Each time I try something new I get the same exact results. "Drive is unavailable".... This is so frustrating that we had one board member just buy a brother printer because he felt that the time we spent trying to resolve the problem was worth just getting an actual printer that worked. We will most likely be buying everyone else in the company different printers because of these issues which is a shame. 

[Jay_G24]

Hi @L-K_201

I'd like to help!

Let's try and uninstall the printer software from the root level on your PC and install the full feature printer software.

First, unplug the USB cable from the printer if present.

• Go to Control panel – Programs and feature – Select all the HP printer entries and uninstall them.
  • Now go to Control panel – Devices and printer – Select all the printer entries and remove the device.
  • Restart your computer.
  • Click the bottom-left Start button on desktop, type device manager in the search box and tap Device Manager on the menu.
  • Once in device manager, click on the view tab in the top & choose “Show hidden devices”.
  • Then from the device manager list, check the entries under “Printer” – If there are any entries, please right click and choose “uninstall” – In the confirm device un-install pop-up, make sure you select the box which says “Delete the driver software for this device". 
  • Also, check the entries under "printer queue" and "imaging devices" and repeat the same exercise. Delete any printer entry or any entry which says “Unknown device”.
  • Once done, close device-manger. Then press the "windows key" + "r" to get the "Run" window open - Type "printui.exe /s" and press enter.
  • Under print server properties, go to drivers - remove any entry there as well.
  • Again, go running window, type – “c:/programdata” – Go to Hewlett Packard folder, remove any printer related folders & files.
  • Once done you can try cleaning out your temporary files and cached files. You can try using automated applications like some cleaner software's that you can download from the internet.
  • Now restart your computer again.
  • Open the Run window again, type “services.msc” and press ok to get services window.
  • Scroll down to “Remote Procedure Call (RPC)” – right-click and go to properties. Make sure the service is started and startup type is “Automatic”.
  • Now scroll up and go to “Function Discovery Provider Host” – right-click and select properties – Change the startup type to “manual” and start the service.
  • Repeat the same exercise on “Function Discovery Resource Publication” as well
  • Windows image acquisition stop and restart the service 

Reinstall the drivers from Software and drivers page

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

And, Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping

[Jay_G24]

Hi @burduni,

I'd like to help!

 May I have the exact model name of the product? Refer to this document for steps to find the product details. Do not share any of your personal information such as serial, phone number, email ID, etc.

Keep me posted. 

And, Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping

[burduni]

Hi, model number of this HP printer is mfp m130nw. I followed your instructions line by line and when the latest driver package (2018) was executed it found the printer but failed in installing it. We've had this issue come up with 4 people in total whom all have different HP Printers. As I said earlier, it has been time consuming trying to find a solution so 2 of them now have opted to buy other brands. 

[Jay_G24]

Try and add the printer using windows built-in driver, refer to  Installing and Using the Windows Built-in Print Driver

Let me know how this goes!