Uninstall Universal Fax Driver

[jgb60]

When I try to uninstall Universal Fax Driver, the uninstall hangs and the only way I have found to terminate it is to reboot the computer. I need a way to uninstall it because when I download the software and try to do a new install it says it is already installed.

[Deep_World]

Hi  @jgb60 
 
Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

I Understand your concern that you're having trouble uninstalling the HP Universal Fax Driver. I'll be glad to help.

Could you kindly  Confirm the below details?

• What is the exact model of your HP printer or fax device?
• Which version of Windows are you using (Windows 10, Windows 11, etc.)?
• Are you logged in with an administrator account when performing the uninstall?

In the meantime, Kindly try the following  steps and confirm  : 

1.Remove the Driver Through Print Management

1. Expand Print Servers -Your Computer Name -Drivers.
2. Locate the HP Universal Fax Driver.
3. Right-click it and select Remove Driver Package.

2.Remove the Driver from Print Server Properties

1. Open Control Panel -Devices and Printers.
2. Click any printer once, then select Print Server Properties at the top.
3. Go to the Drivers tab.
4. Select the HP Universal Fax Driver and click Remove.
5. Choose Remove driver and driver package if available.

3. Clean Up Remaining Driver Files

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to: 
   • C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers
2. Check for any HP Universal Fax Driver folders or files.
3. Remove only the files associated with the Universal Fax Driver after stopping the Print Spooler service.

4. Perform the Installation in Clean Boot Mode

If the driver still appears as installed:

1. Perform a Windows Clean Boot.
2. Restart the computer.
3. Attempt the uninstall and reinstallation again.

I hope this helps. 

[jgb60 · Accepted solution]

Deep_World,

Thanks for the detailed reply.

Exact model: HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP 3301dfw

Windows version: Fully patched Windows 11 Home - recent fresh install

Logged in with: The only user account on the machine which is an administrator

1. I cannot find Print Management. Is it a Windows Pro only feature? (After I finished, I saw some speculation on the internet that it is an optional feature in Windows 11.)

2. I do not see HP Universal Fax Driver listed under "Installed printer drivers" in Print Server Properties\Drivers. I wonder if the App uninstalls that hung removed that part before the hang.

3. Assuming HPUFD means HP Universal Fax Driver, I removed HPUFD_coverpage_dll.dll, HPUFD_fax_print.gpd, HPUFD_FaxPCSend.ini, HPUFD_FaxPCSendDialogUI.dll, HPUFD_FaxPCSendRenderPlugin.dll, HPUFD_FaxPCSendRenderPlugin_pcfax.dll, HPUFD_hpbuio.dll and HPUFD_hpbuiodm.dll.

4. I followed the Microsoft instructions to do a Clean Boot and rebooted. Then I tried to do an install of HP Universal Fax Driver and it said it was still installed so I went back to Services\Apps\Installed apps and tried to do an uninstall of HP Universal Fax Driver. After a minute or two it popped up a box (that I had never seen before and I waited 10+ minutes one time) titled "HP UFD Uninstall" saying: "The fax driver is currently in use. Please restart the print spooler from Control Panel\System and Security\Administrative Tools\Services and manually delete the driver from Control Panel\System and Security\Administrative Tools\Print Management." There are several problems with these instructions: When I look at Control Panel on my system (using File Explorer) there is nothing labeled "Administrative Tools" but there is a "Windows Tools" where I found "Services" and did the restart. However, I still did not find anything labeled "Print Management" so again (see Step 1 above) I could not delete the driver from there. I looked under "Services" and did not find anything there either. When I just clicked on the OK in the box, the uninstaller window went away but the app was no longer listed in Services\Apps\Installed apps so I just tried another install.

AND it appeared to work.

The app will now open and my printer is listed as an option. I did not know of a way to test with an actual fax but I am happy. THANKS.

I checked the "Installed printer drivers" in Print Server Properties\Drivers and HP Universal Fax Driver is listed there now. (I left it alone.)

Unsolicited user comment: Writing an installer so it will not do an install if it thinks the app is currently installed takes away a simple and often effective problem solving tool.

Thanks again,
Drew

[Deep_World]

Hi @jgb60,

A huge thank you for marking this post as the 'Accepted Solution'! We're thrilled that we could help resolve your issue. 

If you have any more questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to ask. We're here to help! 

Thanks again for your confirmation, and we wish you an amazing day ahead! 

 Regards,

Deep_World