Windows 10 Update Killed My Printer

[MichaelTopic]

Since this week's Windows 10 update (May 18th, 2018), a perfectly working network printer no longer prints from Windows 10. The same network printer works just fine if I print from iPad, iPhone or Android phone. It's the Windows 10 update that has wiped out the printer connection configuration in my Windows 10 machines. Right now, I can only print from Apple and Android devices.

Nothing I have tried has corrected the problem. Adding the printer manually results in a "This Didn't Work" message, even though the printer printed out a personal PIN code wirelessly, in response to me trying to add it.

There are no printer drivers to update in Device Manager, as it's a network printer.

Using ePrint results in a "Printer Validation Failed" message.

The HP Support Assistant printer troubleshooters do not resolve the problem.

What did the Windows 10 update break and how do I get it fixed? Reverting to an earlier version of Windows 10 appears to be the suggested fix, on forums I have read, but that's a very poor temporary option.

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@MichaelTopic

If the issue is due to Windows Update having changed / corrupted the Print File system, the procedure offered below may help.

Reminders

Note the (in both the illustrated and unillustrated) instructions that remind you to retry the steps to stop the print spooler and then delete / rename the print folders.  "If it does not work, try-try again."

This is not a "Fix everything" process, rather the procedure may fix a particular kind of issue that prevents the printer software from installing completely / correctly.

______________________________________________________________

If you have already tried to reinstall the printer software and the program just won't install

OR

If it appears the software does install and then does not work as expected,

Try / Consider a procedure to clear the print setup and then reinstall the software.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Corrupt OS components can prevent installation of Full Feature Software.

Essentially the same fix as for the “not compatible with a policy” error, this repair method can help in those cases where Windows Updates might have corrupted driver components in the Operating System.

See a shortened (unillustrated) version of the procedure:

• greenturtle:  HP Officejet 8710 drivers not available
• ShlomiL: Printer Problem

and / or

Illustrated Dragon procedure is based on Solutions contributed by ShlomiL and greenturtle

Dragon Document

Install Full Feature Software - Printer

Subject:  Cannot Install Software

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