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- HP Community
- Printers
- Printing Errors or Lights & Stuck Print Jobs
- printer not being able to be set as default

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12-24-2018 10:38 AM
Hey,
Can you one help me figure out why all of a sudden my printer will not be found in the print options. I have unistalled and reinstalled and now it will not allow me to set the printer as a default printer. I dont know what happened or why it happened either.
12-24-2018 06:06 PM
The problem might be that the printer software is balking at the reinstallation. If you can fix that, the printer should again show up in Devices and Printers AND you should be able to select it as the Default printing device.
Your printer:
Results for "HP 8600"
Select your printer and open the Software and Drivers category
Open the Driver page to download the Full Feature Software for your model
- HP Officejet Pro 8600 Plus e-All-in-One Printer series - N911
- HP Officejet Pro 8600 Premium e-All-in-One Printer series - N911
- HP Officejet Pro 8600 e-All-in-One Printer series - N911
- HP Officejet Pro K8600 Printer series
- HP OfficeJet 8600 Series Printer
Model Selected for the example below:
HP OfficeJet 8600 Series Printer
Clear it out - Put it back
Hint: For best results, do not ignore the suggested Restart sequences.
Printer Software – Uninstall Existing Software
If the software is already installed and you want (need) to uninstall it:
Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features >
Scroll down, click, and Uninstall the software
After the software is removed, Restart the computer and log in
If printer software will not uninstall, appears to be removed and then shows up again, or is otherwise not “going away” when you tell it to do so, try an Uninstaller program.
Microsoft: Fix problems that block programs from being installed or removed
Printer Software – Lurking in the Device Manager
After uninstalling the software and the computer Restart, if the printer is still lurking about in the Device Manager, remove it.
Control Panel > icon view > Device Manager
Expand category Printers
If any printer name or “Unknown Device” is listed,
Right-Click on the printer / device > Uninstall
Expand category Imaging Devices
If any printer name or “Unknown Device” is listed,
Right-Click on the printer / device > Uninstall
Restart the computer and log in
Printer Software - Installation
NOTE
- If using USB, disconnect the USB cable between the printer and the computer before starting the installation.
- Connect the cable when instructed to do so (toward the end of the installation procedure).
Download, save, and install the Full Feature Software for your Operating System version
After the software is installed, Restart the computer and log in
Video help
NOTE: Videos may be found in one or more locations (depending on printer / software / version)
Open the printer Software and Drivers page >
Scroll down and select Related Videos > Click View All >
Find and view the relevant video
AND / OR
Printer Homepage – “Things that are your printer”
Drivers / Software / Firmware Updates, Videos, Bulletins/Notices, How-to, Troubleshooting, User Guides, Product Information, more
Open the printer support Homepage >
Scroll down and select Video Tutorials > Click View All >
Find and view the relevant video
Firmware
Consider installing the printer Firmware
READ (when provided) all instructions before installing the firmware
If / After the firmware is installed, Restart the computer and log in
Reminder: Firmware is normally updated after the printer software is installed / functional.
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