Unable to re-install HP 9015e on Windows 11 - printer unusable

[KCtheGreek]

Hello,

I am requesting escalation for a driver installation failure affecting my HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e (HP+) on Windows 11. I have completed extensive troubleshooting, and the printer is currently unable to install any print driver by any method, including HP Smart, USB plug‑and‑play, IPP, or manual installation. The device is effectively unusable for printing on Windows 11.

Below is a complete summary of what has been attempted and the results.

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Summary of the Issue

The printer’s print driver cannot be installed on Windows 11 because the HP Inkjet Class Driver is no longer available from Windows Update, and HP+ printers do not provide any offline driver package, INF file, or SoftPaq. HP Smart is unable to retrieve the required driver, and all fallback installation methods fail.

Additionally, I attempted to remove HP+ mode, but the printer remains locked in HP+ even after a Factory Reset and a Semi‑Full Reset from the hidden Support Menu.

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Troubleshooting Completed

1. USB Plug‑and‑Play

• Printer detected.
• Scanner installs successfully.
• Print driver fails with:
  • “Driver unavailable”
  • “The system cannot find the file specified.”

2. HP Smart

• Printer detected.
• HP Smart attempts driver binding.
• Fails with DNS error for api.hpcloudprint.com.
• Other HP cloud endpoints resolve normally.
• HP Smart cannot install the print driver.

3. Manual Add‑Printer (“Have Disk”)

Tried:

• HP OfficeJet Pro 9010 series, PCL‑3
• HP OfficeJet Pro PCL3 Class Driver
• HP OfficeJet Pro PCL3 Class Driver2

All fail with:

• “Printer driver was not installed. The system cannot find the file specified.”

4. Windows System Integrity

• DISM and SFC both clean.
• No Windows corruption.
• Other printers install normally.

5. Windows Optional Features

Confirmed installed:

• Microsoft IPP Class Driver
• Microsoft PCL Class Driver
• Internet Printing Client
• Microsoft Print Support

These do not include HP’s PCL3‑GUI driver, which Microsoft has removed from Windows Update.

6. Attempt to Locate Offline HP Drivers

• HP FTP directory browsing disabled.
• No SoftPaq available for HP+ models.
• Confirmed HP+ printers do not have downloadable full driver packages.

7. Attempt to Remove HP+

Performed:

• Factory Reset
• Hidden Support Menu → Semi‑Full Reset

Result:

• Printer still displays: “An HP account and Internet access are required.”
• HP+ mode remains active.
• Setup screens do not match HP’s documented HP+ exit flow.

8. Attempt to Install IPP Everywhere

Method A: Add Printer → IPP Device

• Times out contacting the printer.

Method B: Add Printer → TCP/IP Port

• Port created successfully.
• Driver binding fails with:
  • “Printer driver was not installed. The system cannot find the file specified.”

IPP cannot install because Windows cannot bind any HP driver.

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What Has Been Ruled Out

• Not a Windows corruption issue
• Not a network/DNS issue
• Not a driver selection error
• Not a hardware issue
• Not a user error during HP+ removal
• Not an IPP configuration issue

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Confirmed Root Cause

The HP OfficeJet Pro 9015e (HP+) requires HP Smart + Windows Update to install the print driver.
However:

• Microsoft has removed HP’s Inkjet Class Driver from Windows Update.
• HP Smart cannot retrieve the driver.
• HP+ printers do not provide any offline driver package.
• Manual installation fails due to missing HP class driver components.
• IPP installation fails because Windows cannot bind a driver.
• HP+ mode cannot be removed even after a Semi‑Full Reset.

As a result, the printer cannot install a print driver by any available method on Windows 11.

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Requested Resolution

I am requesting one of the following:

1. Assistance unlocking or removing HP+ mode so the printer can use the standard OfficeJet Pro 9015 driver package,
   OR
2. A replacement printer that is not HP+ locked,
   OR
3. A documented workaround or offline driver package for HP+ printers now that Microsoft has removed the HP Inkjet Class Driver from Windows Update.

This issue prevents the printer from functioning as a printer on Windows 11, and all documented troubleshooting steps have been exhausted.

Thank you for your assistance. I am ready to provide logs, screenshots, or additional diagnostic information if needed.

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @KCtheGreek 

Thanks for stopping by the HP community. A very good day to you.  I reviewed the post. I will be delighted to assist you here.

Superb description and stupendous diagnosis of the issue before posting. Kudos to you for that.  😊 

I'm sending you a private message to guide you on the next steps.

To access it, click the private message icon in the upper-right corner of your HP Support Community profile, next to your name.

If this resolves your issue, kindly mark this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" if it was helpful.

Take care and have a great day!

Regards,

Hawks_Eye

[Unhappy_User345]

Can you please share the fix? My printer is bricked as well.

[Unhappy_User345]

I finally got it to work.

Ignore HP Smart. It is useless in this situation.

The Scan and Capture app was helpful in getting the connection between PC & printer re-established (prior to this, the PC could not discover the printer).

I then manually downloaded the drivers via HP Easy Start.  (You need to have the printer PIN for this.)  You will have to dodge multiple requests to sign up for subscription ink delivery. Amazingly cheeky that they are trying to upsell you when the basic functionality doesn't work.  I downloaded the new drivers and that very helpfully enabled the Fax functionality. I now had a printer that could scan and fax but not print. Fantastic.

Next step was to delete the device driver as it was a universal Microsoft driver (not specific to this printer). Apparently support for this printer has been dropped in this version. The one you don't want is Microsoft IPP class driver.

I then went back to Easy Start and specified picking the driver, not accepting the default/generic one. This turned out to be the key. I picked an HP driver for this class of printers, and it now works.

What a miserable experience.

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @KCtheGreek 

I am glad it's resolved now.

Thank you for sharing your detailed experience. It’s clear you put in a lot of effort to get your HP OfficeJet 9015e reinstalled on Windows 11, and your step‑by‑step notes will be very helpful for others facing similar challenges.

We truly appreciate the way you highlighted the key points.

Your persistence paid off, and the printer is now working as intended. This shows that with the right sequence—removing the generic driver, then installing the proper HP driver—the device can be brought back to full operation.

It’s a positive outcome, and your “Points to Follow” provide a clear roadmap for anyone who might encounter the same situation. 

If you have any more questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to ask. We're here to help! 

Thanks again for your confirmation, and we wish you an amazing day ahead! 😊

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye