Deskjet 2541 Stopped Connecting Via WiFi - Driver is Unavailable

[wolfie42]

Printer was working fine. I don't use it often. It's been turned off for a few months. Now it won't connect to WiFi. It will print if wired. What's odd is that every software fails when I try to install the WiFi. 

• Install using Windows - finds the wireless printer, but install fails with "Driver is unavailable". Printer is added to the Printer list but I can't choose it to print to.
• Install using HP Smart - also fails; "The selected printer is detected but not installed completely on your Windows system. Please install the printer driver to print from this computer". Clicking Next takes me to the Windows install which fails.
• Downloaded and re-installed the software. That fails too. "Unsuccessful Network Installation. The printer was unable to be installed over the network". It does find the printer. I can select it. The install just fails.
• HP Print and Scan Doctor - does nothing helpful.
• I've tried to Uninstall the software to reinstall it but it fails when I do. I tried uninstalling using the Windows application uninstall. "Call to DriverPackageUninstall returned error 5 for package.... path to INF file.... A caller of DriverPackageInstall must be a member of the Administrators group to install a driver package". I am an administrator.
• I made sure I had the latest firmware installed. It installed over WiFi with no issues and even printed a success page.
• I've run the Microsoft FixIt Utility. No help.

Notes

• I can connect to the printer via the IP using a browser
• Computer is less than a year old, high end-ish, and has Windows 10 64-bit
• Seems like the driver won't install.
• I haven't installed any new software. No downloads of any kind outside of Windows OS updates.
• I have rebooted numerous times.

I need WiFi to work as my printer stand is too far from the computer and can't move it any closer. Cord is way too short. Just so confusing why it used to work and now doesn't. Not sure if the HP software is corrupt or if he's experiencing conflicts with Windows or if the driver just is no longer compatible with the OS. Can anyone help?

[The_Fossette]

@wolfie42,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

I reviewed your post and I understand that you are unable to print wirelessly.

Don’t worry, I assure you I will try my best to get this sorted.

Your router is configured for 2.4GHz or 5GHz frequency?

Is your computer connected to 5GHz frequency? (The printer works only with 2.4GHz and the printer and the computer should be on the same frequency to work correctly)

Meanwhile, I recommend you root uninstall the printer and then reinstall it and check if it helps.

Here is how it is done.

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” and “/s”)

8.) 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

13.) Restart the PC

14.) Download and install the printer software from the below link.

http://hp.care/2nikIQ9

Let me know how it goes and you have a great day!

If you wish to show appreciation for my efforts, mark my post as Accept as Solution. Your feedback counts!

Cheers!

[J-Oliver]

I, the only administrator, had the same problem with Wi-Fi 2 mos. ago. Last week it was my scanner. I don't print often - but, I now believe it’s a Windows update issue (update or not, it’s the same fix). Infuriating.

My printer was barely over 1 yr. old. I phoned HP printer support at [edited]. The guy was great and fixed the problem free of charge (2 wasted days for me). 

When I went thru the uninstall/reinstall maze, it left behind drivers, etc.  Once I got rid of the extra printer in (control panel) “Devices and Printers” and extra drivers, I was able to uninstall from “Programs & Features,” in one instance; the other using FixIt for programs blocked from install/uninstall.

The link's 2nd phase begins with "Uninstall a Program". Try it.  If it doesn’t work, continue with No. 4, removing any extra printers and drivers. Then, try the FixIt, again.  I hope this helps.

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Printer-Software-and-Drivers/Software-will-not-uninstall/m-p/7379137#M...

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17588/windows-fix-problems-that-block-programs-being-instal...