Unable to install driver

[BrokenPrinter3]

Hi, 

I have a HP M281fdw on a network and all other printers on the network are able to print without issue. 

I have for the last several months had no problems, however now all of a sudden I am unable to print. I am met with a generic error whenever I attempt to do so. 

I have power cycled the printer, the modem, and the computer - numerous times

I have uninstalled and reinstalled the printer - numerous times

If in install the printer using Windows dialogue, it installs with 'driver unavailable'. This appears to be because the latest driver is not signed for Windows 10 as I am given the message

"An error occurred during the installation of the device.

The driver cannot be installed because either it is not digitally signed or not signed in the appropriate manner. Contact your hardware vendor."

If I attempt to install using the latest installation files from HP, or from the disc, I am met with the error shown here:

I have searched for other forum posts with the same error and have followed all of the steps detailed in them without success. 

I have stopped and resumed the spooler, among many other steps. 

I have run the HP Print and Scan doctor without any meaningful result. 

Please advise how I should proceed. 

[ShlomiL]

Hi,

Please follow the below steps, assuming this is your only HP product and you don't have any other HP software, such as an HP PC or another HP printer.

If you have any other HP product than your printer, please let me know and DO NOT follow the below steps:

• From the search bar type CMD, right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.
• Copy the following command, then right-click the Command Prompt dialog and select Paste, then press Enter:
  
  Spoiler

  takeown /f %windir%\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository /r /d y
  icacls "%windir%\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository" /grant %username%:(OI)(CI)F /T
  for /d %G in ("%windir%\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\hp*") do rd /s /q "%~G"
  takeown /f %windir%\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository /A /r /d y

• Once the commands stop running, press enter and allow few seconds, till no more commands are executed and an empty line appears:

  

Now uninstall the HP software and check for any difference.

Shlomi

[BrokenPrinter3]

Thank you for your assistance. 

This allowed me to successfully uninstall the software. 

I then used the HP Print and Scan doctor which took me through process of reinstalling the software. 

On completion, the printer appears under Devices and Printers however the status is "Driver is unavailable". 

The printer does not appear under Device Manager. 

I have also attempted installing the printer through Windows and am also met with 'Driver is unavailable' .

How should I proceed?

[ShlomiL]

Hi,

Thanks for the information @BrokenPrinter3,

Right-click the Start menu and select Rum, type WINVER and press OK

What is the exact version and build?

Be sure to install any available Windows 10 updates, then reinstall the HP Software and check if you may see any difference:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4027667/windows-10-update

Shlomi

[BrokenPrinter3]

Hi, 

Windows version is: Windows 10, Version 1909 (OS Build 18363.657). 

There are no Windows updates available. 

I have uninstalled and then reinstalled the HP software (with and without using the HP Print and Scan Doctor). The printer is added successfully and the big green tick is shown, however the printer does not appear under Device Manager or in Control Panel under printers. 

When I add the printer using the Windows control panel dialogues, the printer adds however once again shows a status of 'Driver is unavailable'. When I manually updatethe driver in Device Manager, the status does not change from 'Driver is unavailable'. 

[BrokenPrinter3]

Hi ShlomiL, 

Would you have any further suggestions on how to resolve this issue? Our small business is really struggling without a printer.

[ShlomiL]

Hi,

You may try installing the printer using the HP Universal Print driver instead and see if that may allow restoring print capabilities.

Download and launch the following installer:

https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softlib/software13/COL40842/ds-99374-23/upd-pcl6-x64-6.9.0.24630.exe

Click the Network or WiFi icon in the top-side of your printer front panel, then select Wireless or Wired Network and locate the printer IP Address.

Select Traditional Mode during the HP UPD install wizard and then follow the steps to add the printer using TCP/IP, and complete the installation.

May you able to print using the newly added print queue?

Another option would be contacting HP Support in your country, so a support representative will be able to launch a remote control session and troubleshoot the problem:

https://support.hp.com/au-en/contact-hp/product/hp-color-laserjet-pro-m280-m281-multifunction-printe...

hope that helps,

Shlomi