driver error Officejet pro 9025

[Mrs-Dub]

Help please! I had an update on my computer and now my computer does not recognize my printer (HP OfficeJet Pro 9025, All in One).  I have removed the printer and reinstalled following the virtual assistant instructions but I get the error message "print driver was not installed element not found"  

[Dragora]

Hi Mrs-Dub

The "element not found" error indicates that the Windows registry has a corrupted path to the previous driver and is blocking the new installation.

To fix this, we need to perform a "deep clean" before trying to reinstall. Please follow these steps in order:

1. Remove "Ghost" Drivers

Sometimes, even if you uninstall the printer, the driver package remains hidden in the system.

1. Disconnect the USB cable from the printer (if using one).

2. Press the Windows key + R, type printui /s /t2, and hit Enter.

3. Look for any entry that says HP OfficeJet Pro 9025.

4. Select it and click Remove. Choose the option "Remove driver and driver package."

5. If you get an "Access Denied" error, restart your computer and try this step again before opening any other apps.

2. Reset the Print Spooler

This clears the Windows print queue which might be "holding onto" the error.

1. Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.

2. Find Print Spooler in the list.

3. Right-click it and select Stop.

4. Navigate to the folder C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS and delete all files inside (don't worry, these are just temporary print jobs).

5. Go back to the Services window, right-click Print Spooler, and select Start.

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3. Avoid the "Virtual Assistant" – Install Manually

HP’s automated tools often fail when Windows registry keys are broken. Using the full offline installer is much more reliable:

1. Go to the official HP Support website.

2. Search for your model (9025) and download the "Full Software and Drivers" package (this is usually a large file, around 200–300 MB, rather than just the HP Smart app).

3. Crucial Step: Right-click the downloaded file and select "Run as Administrator."

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4. The "Last Resort" Manual Method

If the installer still says "element not found," you can bypass the HP installer entirely and use the Windows built-in wizard:

• Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.

• Click Add a printer.

• Click "The printer that I want isn't listed."

• Select "Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings."

• Choose the port (if it's wireless, select the Standard TCP/IP Port using the printer’s IP address).

• When the list of manufacturers appears, click Windows Update. Wait a few minutes for the list to refresh, then select HP > HP OfficeJet Pro 9020 series.

Pro-tip: Once you get the driver working, I highly recommend setting a "Manual IP" for the printer in its web settings. It prevents the computer from "losing" the printer next time your router restarts!

I hope the above is helpful

If this helped you solve your problem, please mark my answer as the solution. Thank you.