"driver is unavailable" after Windows updates, and will not re-install correctly - Windows 10

[DG001]

I have wasted days trying to get our printer working again since some latest windows updates. The only change was that each of the computers that has been updated to the 1903 update and subsequent security patches no longer print. The one that was not updated still prints fine, the others will not install the driver. I have tried manually installing and using the normal method. Printer say "driver is unavailable". If I try to manually install the driver, I get an error saying "this operation requires an interactive window station". I have reset the permissions on the system32\drivers and system32\driverstore folders to no avail. I have run dsim and sfc scan to potentially fix any corruption. I have tried installing the drivers using compatibility mode and it gets to the same place. I have tried using windows update to look for new drivers. I have tried root uninstalling the drivers rebooting and reinstalling. I have tried installing over network and installing with USB direct. Everything leads to the same place. The DRIVER WILL NOT INSTALL.

I am paying for HP Instant ink...I need to fix this or I need to cancel that and go get another printer, maybe from another manufacturer. I have a brand new laptop (XPS13 2n1) that I purchased last week and has the same problem as my 1 year old desktop that was upgraded to 1903...both on 1903. The only computer that is working is a dell xps 13 that is still running the prior windows 10. The printer works when using this laptop, and when we send prints via the email @hpeprint.com...so I know the printer IS NOT THE ISSUE. The issue is the driver and the Windows 1903 + updates. Unfortunately, I removed the 1903 backup, so I can no longer revert to the prior version.
Also, using the HP Smart app, I can see the printer and all statistics normally, but when I click on the "print documents", it asks to install the printer and I get to the same place I have described above. I most recently tried this post, but it did not work - https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Printer-Software-and-Drivers/Driver-Unavailable/m-p/6632903#M135275

Any help before my family make me go buy another printer? It seems such a waste since I am sure the issue is windows and the driver.

[Kumar0307]

@DG001, Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Run HP Print and Scan Doctor to diagnose and fix any driver issue

Click here to download the file. Once downloaded, make sure to run the file to start the installation and click on 'Fix printing'.

If the issue persists, proceed to the next step.

If you have tried downloading the full-feature driver from HP Support site and still face the same issue, I would recommend using Windows built-in driver.

Refer to this document to know how to install the printer using Windows built-in driver.

Let me know how this goes.

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

[DG001]

Thanks for the reply.

I ran the HP Print and Scan Doctor and allowed it to download and install the full featured driver package, but there was no change to the problem. Exact same result.

I root uninstalled all HP drivers, rebooted, and tried to install the full featured driver as suggested, but no change...exact same issue.

I root uninstalled all HP drivers, rebooted,and tried to install the windows built in driver following the linked guide, but ended at the exact same result.

All seems to go well, but the end result is that the printer shows up with the message "driver is unavailable".

[DG001]

I meant to add that I also ran the driver install another time in "compatibility" mode to see if that would change anything, but it did not. same issue.

[JonathanAbbess]

I had a very similar problem (HP 7720), I have finally solved this!  I also had drivers for several other HP printers that have died or been used on other networks.

run printui.exe /s and delete everything HP (for all the redundant printers too). 

reboot 

Go to the HP web site and download the HP drivers for this printer

Install (skip adding printer)

Add printer (from Printers & Scanners)

The printer now prints again.

[DG001]

Thanks, I tried this too, but nothing changed. 

[ShlomiL]

Hi,

Please run Windows Update to resolve the problem.

An update released on Sep 23 has caused the original issue, 2 or 3 updates, meant to resolve it did not really did their job, a new update released yesterday should resolve the problem.

Shlomi

[JonathanAbbess]

I have just run the windows update … and the "driver is unavailable" problem has RETURNED!

My previous solution (above) has not fixed it this time.

[ShlomiL]

Hi,
Please follow the steps below to resolve such an error:

**Be aware that if you have other printers installed on your PC, those will need to be reinstalled too once completing these steps.

1. Uninstall the HP Software from your PC.
2. Backup your registry prior making any registry changes:
https://support.hp.com/in-en/document/c03485724
3. Update your registry using the Reg file below (that will change some printer related policies for your PC):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/avbv56zdgwv7600/kernel.reg?dl=1
4. Right click the Start menu and select Run.
Type Services.msc and press OK.
Locate and stop the Print Spooler service
5. Browse to c:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers.
Rename W32X86 to W32x86.old
Rename x64 to x64.old
Note: if any of these folders fail to rename reboot your PC and then Continue following the steps starting from Step 4...
6. Restart your computer.
7. Reinstall the HP Software and check for any difference

Please let me know the results,
Shlomi

[JonathanAbbess]

I get a different result after doing that!

I installed: OJ7720_Basicx64_44.3.2218.exe (rather than OJ7720_Full_WebPack_44.3.2218.exe)

because my printer/scanner is a 7720.

Now, when I print anything (even just a "test page") I get an error message "Error printing on HP Officejet Pro 7720 series PLC-3 (Network).  The printer couldn't print Test Page".  The printer queue just shows Status "Error".

The Event Viewer, System, show a warning:

------

Log Name:      System
Source:        Microsoft-Windows-DistributedCOM
Date:          09/10/2019 17:32:31
Event ID:      10016
Task Category: None
Level:         Warning
Keywords:      Classic
User:          JA\Jonathan
Computer:      JA
Description:
The machine-default permission settings do not grant Local Activation permission for the COM Server application with CLSID
{C2F03A33-21F5-47FA-B4BB-156362A2F239}
 and APPID
{316CDED5-E4AE-4B15-9113-7055D84DCC97}
 to the user JA\Jonathan SID (S-1-5-21-4196534618-3556846749-523092953-1001) from address LocalHost (Using LRPC) running in the application container Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost_10.0.18362.387_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy SID (S-1-15-2-155514346-2573954481-755741238-1654018636-1233331829-3075935687-2861478708). This security permission can be modified using the Component Services administrative tool.
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
  <System>
    <Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-DistributedCOM" Guid="{1B562E86-B7AA-4131-BADC-B6F3A001407E}" EventSourceName="DCOM" />
    <EventID Qualifiers="0">10016</EventID>
    <Version>0</Version>
    <Level>3</Level>
    <Task>0</Task>
    <Opcode>0</Opcode>
    <Keywords>0x8080000000000000</Keywords>
    <TimeCreated SystemTime="2019-10-09T16:32:31.159673200Z" />
    <EventRecordID>10162</EventRecordID>
    <Correlation ActivityID="{b183d78d-1518-4bbf-9226-0b0c41dedd87}" />
    <Execution ProcessID="1152" ThreadID="2680" />
    <Channel>System</Channel>
    <Computer>JA</Computer>
    <Security UserID="S-1-5-21-4196534618-3556846749-523092953-1001" />
  </System>
  <EventData>
    <Data Name="param1">machine-default</Data>
    <Data Name="param2">Local</Data>
    <Data Name="param3">Activation</Data>
    <Data Name="param4">{C2F03A33-21F5-47FA-B4BB-156362A2F239}</Data>
    <Data Name="param5">{316CDED5-E4AE-4B15-9113-7055D84DCC97}</Data>
    <Data Name="param6">JA</Data>
    <Data Name="param7">Jonathan</Data>
    <Data Name="param8">S-1-5-21-4196534618-3556846749-523092953-1001</Data>
    <Data Name="param9">LocalHost (Using LRPC)</Data>
    <Data Name="param10">Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost_10.0.18362.387_neutral_neutral_cw5n1h2txyewy</Data>
    <Data Name="param11">S-1-15-2-155514346-2573954481-755741238-1654018636-1233331829-3075935687-2861478708</Data>
  </EventData>
</Event>

-----

I assume it's related because it occurs whenever I try to print!  I can use the scanner without a problem.