Unable to print from laptop, says "driver not available" when I try to add it

[ElsieH]

I've done everything possible to get this printer to print from the laptop (It prints from iPhone fine).  Have uninstalled, reinstalled, checked the software drivers and firmware etc etc.  

It doesn't appear on the list when you try and print from excel, word etc, and when I try to "add printer", I get the message that "driver not unavailable", despite having done all of the above!

[TEJ1602]

@ElsieH, Welcome to HP Support Community!

Follow the steps from the document HP Printers - Uninstalling the Printer Software (Windows)

And, I would suggest you try the Windows built-in drivers. Follow the steps below:

•    Go to Control Panel - Devices and Printers - Click on "Add 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.

Try printing.

Hope this helps!

Please click “Accept as 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!

[ElsieH · Accepted solution]

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Spoiler

Thanks, I couldn’t get your suggestions to work as described, but it did prompt me to try the “troubleshooting” guide in the control panel and managed to add the printer manual via its IP address. The laptop knew the correct drivers were installed at that point, so it doesn’t really explain why I was getting constant “driver not available” messages. But this additional step finally got it all working!  Thank you!