Printer installation error

[enigma-b17]

Hi,

I for the life of me can't figure out what's going on.

I have a HP 5472 printer which I cannot connect to windows 10 x64 machines.

I've tried every solution I've found on the web, mostly involving uninstalling and reinstalling the HP software however every single time I do it the HP full software solution suite attempts to install it, sticks on "installing network device" for about 5 minutes then fails.

Tried:

1: 

- Uninstall ALL HP software.

- Remove all installed drivers.

- Restart & reinstalling.

2:

Disabling IPv6

3:

I've tried the HP Print and Scan doctor, but it was unable to do anything. It detects it as "installed".

All I see in windows is the print in printers and devices but it says "Driver is unavailable"

If I add a printing port manually it will allow me to print, however I cannot under any circumstance get the HP software working with it.

https://support.hp.com/gb-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-officejet-5742-e-all-in-one-printer/6617253/mode...

Does anyone have any idea how I can resolve this?
Thanks

[enigma-b17]

I would also advise that I had issues with HP printers randomly working before (after setup) and I deleted the WSD port monitor registry key to stop it trying to switch over.

This is something I have also done before installing the device, would that have something to do with it?

[Jay_G24]

Hi @enigma-b17,

I'd like to help!

I understand you are receiving a driver unavailable error.

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 

Install all the available Windows updates

If it is been a while since you updated your Windows, that is the main reason why Windows says your HP printer driver is unavailable. Here are the steps how to do a Windows Update to install all accessible operating system update.

If you are accessing Windows 10, then these steps are for you.

1. Hit the Start menu and write an update. After that, click on the “Check for updates” option.
2. Tap on the “Check for updates” option.
3. After clicking on that option, Windows will install the updates automatically.
4. When Windows completes all its updates, start your computer again and attempt to print a file to check if your printer works.

Reinstall the drivers from the Software and drivers page

If the error persists, Try installing the printer with windows built-in driver

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 “Yes" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping

[enigma-b17]

Thanks for the reply!

I have unfortunately tried all of that several times over, no matter what I do it seems to fail to install the printer.

I did however get it working via the HP Smart utility like this:
- In windows printers & scanners

- Click add printer

- Wait for "The printer that I want isn't listed" to appear

- Add a new tcp/ip printer using IP Address of printer

- This allows you to print perfectly fine.

- Install HP Smart

- Install new printer, which it detects and installs as long as I've done the above.

- If I don't do for the first step the HP Smart utility fails to setup the printer.

Thanks

Shane