driver unavailable hp 6978

[Jeff_D90]

Our printer was working until a couple of weeks ago. I can see it from the HP App. I can print a test page from the HP App. I cannot print from any applications on the computer. I've uninstalled the printer, uninstalled the drivers, reloaded everything. I deleted the HP App and reinstalled it. I've run the print and scan doctor. 

I still get a "driver unavailable" message under the printer name. We can print to it from other network printers so something must be going wrong with this computer and associated drivers.

Yesterday, a USB connected receipt printer stopped working. I've troubleshot that too. I cannot load a driver for that printer either as it backs out once installation is almost finished.

Any suggestions welcomed.

[TEJ1602]

@Jeff_D90, Welcome to HP Support Community!

Due to the current global COVID-19 situation, we're seeing an influx of customers coming in for support. We appreciate your patience.

Assuming that the printer is connected wirelessly to the computer, follow the steps below-

Update the printer firmware

Download available firmware updates from the HP website

With the printer on and connected to the computer, go to HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads, and then identify your printer. Look for and install any available firmware updates. Refer to the document HP Printers - Updating or Upgrading Printer Firmware

Assign manual IP to the printer

The steps on how to set a manual IP address can be found here.

For the DNS servers please use 8.8.8.8 for the Manual Preferred DNS Server and 8.8.4.4 for the Alternate DNS server. These are Google’s public DNS servers

I recommend you delete the driver and root level and retry, follow the steps below: 

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”

😎 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.

Try the Windows built-in drivers. Follow the steps below:

•    Go to Control Panel - Devices and Printers - Click on "Add a printer" and follow the on-screen instructions.

•    When the page prompts for the drivers, select "Windows update". The driver list will be updated.

•    Click HP, Hewlett Packard, or Hewlett-Packard in the Manufacturer pane, and then click the name of your printer in the Printers pane.

Refer to this document HP Printers - Installing and Using the Windows Built-in Print Driver for help

Keep me posted. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!