Windows 10: Unable to Add Device printer

In an effort to reconnect my HP laptop and wireless HP 5741 printer so I can print without the printer cord, I uninstalled the drivers after trying just about every other option. Now when I try to add a device the window pops up for an instant and goes away. Same thing in safe mode. Unable to install HP Scan Doctor or download drivers on HP Support. Already disabled firewall and VPN. Printer is offline.

:)

 

win10 sez no drivers for brither hl5040 printer  

To be sure that you followed my suggestion correctly, I will specify some steps: CP>devices and printers>add a printer>the printer that I want isn't listed>add a local printer with manual settings>define port>Windows update and install

 

Windows unable to configure printer device.

Hello Caroline,

Thank you for posting your concern in Microsoft Community and welcome to the Windows 10 Family.

We regret for the inconvenience. Let me assist you to resolve the issue.

To be able to understand the issue better, let us know a few more details on the below questions.

• Do you find the printer identified and listed under Control Panel > Devices and Printers?
• What is the status of the printer device drivers in the
  Device Manager settings?
  
  Note: Unknown and uninstalled devices will be listed under
  Other. The device will have a yellow alert symbol on it. The properties for the device will show that
  no driver was found.
• Did you check if the printer works with other Windows 10 computers?

As an initial recommendation I suggest you to refer to the below Microsoft Help link and check if it helps.

Fix printer problems

Now, please be informed, Windows contains generic drivers for many different types of hardware connected to your computer. Windows releases drivers based on manufacturer's release addressing Windows 10 compatible device drivers. So, the default drivers Microsoft
provides are stripped down and a bit older, but they’re written by your device manufacturer and not Microsoft themselves.

Please follow the below suggested methods and check if it helps.

Method 1

Check for Windows update to find relevant drivers for the printer device through Device Manager settings.

Reference: Update drivers in Windows 10

Method 2

If it still does not help and you have the existing drivers for the printer device, you can try to install the drivers in compatibility mode and check if it helps. follow the below steps.

1. Go to the location where you had saved your downloaded setup files of the drivers and right click, then select
Properties.

2. Select Compatibility Tab.

3. Place a check mark next to Run this program in Compatibility mode
and select the operating system

accordingly from the drop down list.

4. Let the driver to install and then check the functionality.

Hope it helps. But still, I suggest you to check with the printer manufacturer for the latest drivers compatible to work with Windows 10.

Thank you.

 

Printer

Hi Brenda,

Thank you for using Windows 10.

I suggest you to use these steps and check:

• Press Windows/Start key.
• Type Devices and Printers and then tap or click Devices and Printers.
• Press and hold or right-click the printer you want to use, and then tap or click
  Set as default printer.

Let us know if you need more information and we'll be glad to assist.