error message: your printer has experienced an unexpected configuration problem 0x80004005

[Sully1952]

getting error message: your printer has experienced an unexpected configuration problem 0x80004005.

I have rebooted laptop and printer, went into settings/printer and found no answer.   help

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @Sully1952,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

Thank you for posting your query. I will be glad to help you.

Thank you for providing the exact error code. 0x80004005 on HP printers in Windows is a known communication/configuration failure between Windows and the printer driver. It typically happens after updates, driver mismatch, or a corrupted printer configuration.

This is not a hardware issue. Follow the resolution below.

Step 1: Remove the printer completely (required)

1. Open Settings
2. Go to Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners
3. Select your HP printer → click Remove device

Now remove leftover driver files:

1. Press Windows + R
2. Type: printui /s /t2

Press Enter

1. Go to the Drivers tab
2. Remove any entries related to your HP printer
3. Click Apply → OK

Step 2: Restart Print Spooler and clear the cache

1. Press Windows + R
2. Type: services.msc
3. Find Print Spooler
4. Right‑click → Stop

Now clear the queue:

1. Open File Explorer and go to: C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS
2. Delete all files in this folder
3. Go back to Services
4. Right‑click Print Spooler → Start

Step 3: Install the correct HP Full Feature driver

Using a generic or broken driver is the main cause of this error.

👉 Download only from the official HP site: Official HP® Support

1. Enter your exact printer model
2. Select your Windows version
3. Download Full Feature Software and Driver
4. Run the installer as Administrator
5. Choose Wireless (recommended) when prompted
6. Complete setup

I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!