Windows 10: Uninstalling & Reinstalling Printer on Windows 11

Hi everyone, I was having an issue with my HP Printer web services as I subscribe to HP Instant Ink, so I reset the printer and removed the HP Smart App from my Windows 11 Laptop & removed the Printer from the device manager.After resetting the Printer I re-installed HP Smart App which wasn't working properly, so I uninstalled the App again and restarted the device. This time I went to devices and printers and searched for my HP Printer which Windows 11 successfully found and then I downloaded the HP Smart App once more and it said the Printer is already installed and will let me use the A

:)

 

Windows 11 - Unable to add a printer

Thank you for taking the time to reply. Let me begin by reiterating that this is not a problem I am having with a printer that is currently installed in the system; it started out that way, but it's become a different problem. It's not just that I can't reinstall the problem printer - I can't install any printer.







Anyway, here's a rundown of the results of your suggested remedies:







Option 1 - I can't really say what the final results of this step are. I started the troubleshooter about 15 minutes ago, and it seems to be hung up on "Checking the Spooler service..."







Option 2 - There is no Print queue listed for the printer in question, which is not surprising, since (as mentioned in my OP) I uninstalled the printer.







Option 3 - There was one Cumulative Update available since my OP. I installed it, restarted, and still have the problem.



As for the suggested support link, I had pretty much completed the first 2½ steps on my own (as detailed in my OP):



Step 1 Unplug and restart your printer - check



Step 2 Check cables or wireless connection - My computer is connected to my home network, I can print to my other printer, so the computer to network connection is OK. My other computers can print to the "problem" printer, so the printer to network connection is also OK.



Step 3 Uninstall and reinstall your printer - This is the crux of the problem. I had no problem uninstalling the printer; the problem is I can't reinstall it. From the support link (BTW, this link ins for Windows 10, so there are some minor differences):



Reinstall a wireless printer

1. Select the Start button, then select Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners .
   Open Printers & scanners settings
   
2. Select Add a printer or scanner. Wait for your device to find nearby printers, choose the one you want, and then select Add device.
   

For that matter, I can't install any printer because the "Add device" button does nothing but hang up the settings window. (Notice the dimmed-out "Add device" button.)

 

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

 

Printer not working

Hi Terry,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community.

How have you connected the printer to your computer? Is it wired or wireless connection?

I suggest you to follow the methods below and check if it helps.

Method 1: Run Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

Follow these steps to run Hardware and Devices troubleshooter:

• 
  Press Windows key + X and click on
  Control Panel.
  
• 
  Select Troubleshooting.
  
• 
  Select View all on the top left corner.
  
• 
  Click Hardware and Devices.
  
• 
  Follow the on-screen instruction to run the troubleshooter.
  

Method 2: Uninstall and reinstall the driver

I suggest you to try uninstall the Mouse, Touchpad and Printer drivers check if it works for you.
Follow the steps below:

• Press Windows Key + X key and click Device Manager.
• Right-click on the Touchpad device listed and click on ‘Uninstall’.
• Select the option to Delete driver software.
• Follow the same steps to uninstall Mouse and Printer drivers.
• Restart the computer after its uninstalled.

Try to access the device manufacturer's website and download and install the latest chipset, touchpad and Printer drivers.

Hope this will fix the issue, if not let us know with the updated status and we will be happy to assist you further.