USB Printers are not showing in Devices and Printers as Printers - they appear as "UnSpecified Devic

[nasho23]

I am using Win 10 Pro 64bit Version 1919 18363-778 and my C5280 Software is the latest WWW_140_408-4. It would appear by the number of complaints about this issue, that a Win Update has changed how Windows recognises USB Printers, as, like so many others who are complaining, the later version of Win 10 is showing USB Printers as "UnSpecified Devices". The Printers still function correctly, but cannot be Networked, as Win 10 cannot locate them on another machine. Windows Update reports I have the latest Drivers.

Can you please assist with this issue as we are not able to talk direct to Microsoft/Windows.

It is my feeling that somewhere back along the line of Win Updates, the management of USB Printers has been changed and the Original Drivers are now not suitable. Printers are Printers - Not Unspecified Devices.

Thank You.[edit]

[Kumar0307]

Hi @nasho23

Welcome to the HP Support Community. I'd be happy to assist you.

I see that you are trying to install the printer on the Win PC using the USB cable and it is not getting detected.

Let us try these steps:

Go to Device Manager and check if the printer is listed under USB controllers. If yes, proceed to the next step. If no, try connecting the cable to a different USB port on the computer.

Now, unplug the USB cable.

Clean reinstallation of Pre-installed HP drivers

1.  In Windows, search for and open Programs and features 
2.  Select your HP Printer 
3.  Select Uninstall 
4.  In Windows, search for and open Devices and printers 
5.  In the Devices and Printers windows look for your HP printer. If you see it listed right-click on it and choose ‘Delete’ or ‘Remove Device’ 
6.  Open up the run command with the “Windows key + R” key combo. 
7.  Type printui.exe /s and click Ok. (Note: there is a space in between “printui.exe” and “/s”) 
8.  Click on the “Drivers” tab 
9.  Look for HP Printer driver. If you see it Click on it and click Remove at the bottom 
10.  Select Ok 
11.  Select Apply and Ok on the Print Server Properties windows 
12.  Close Devices and Printers, restart the computer.

Click here to download the HP Full-featured driver.

Once downloaded, make sure to run the file to start the installation and follow the on-screen instructions.

Connect the USB cable when prompted by the software. Try printing.

If the issue persists, install the printer using Windows built-in driver

Refer to this document to know how.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

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