Windows 10: Windows11/HP printer driver issue

Using Windows 11, my HP ENVY 4520 wifi printer is not printing. I have this problem frequently and I uninstall printer and then reinstall. However this time my Windows settings say, "Driver is Unavailable" and when I right-click, there is no option to remove this printer. How to fix?

:)

 

HP printer driver bug/issue

I had an HP printer a couple of years ago, and since changed brands, but when I follow these steps, no HP shows. I only see my current printer. So if it's not listed I guess I don't have drivers for it anymore?




Also what about people who are just simple users, and will have no idea what to do? I know a couple that just let Windows do everything for them. This seems like a nightmare if a fix isn't pushed automatically since there will be a lot of people affected, and not even know since they don't even follow tech news for things like this.

 

HP printer driver bug/issue

If you go to Windows Settings and search for printers, you should see all the installed printers. Remove the ones you no longer own. Check Device Manager -> Printers too.

I don't know the answer to the question about what simple users should do. Hopefully their HP drivers would eventually get updates via WU, but I'm not sure.

 

HP Printer driver installation issue


Try adding the printers manually in control panel. (Meaning without running the HP driver CD).

1. Turn on your printer and make sure it is connected to the network.
2. Open the Control Panel
3. Click on Hardware and Sound.
4. Double-click the Add a printer icon.
5. Select "Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer" and click Next.
6. Let Windows scan for the printer and if detected, select the printer and click Next. If the printer is not listed, click "The printer that I want isn't listed" and skip to add printer by name or TCP/IP address.
7. If you know the printer's name, choose "Select a shared printer by name" and enter the path to the printer. For example, with a network named "hope" and a printer named "hp", the network path would be: "\\hope\hp".

If you do not know the printer's path, but have the printers IP address, select "Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname".
Click Next.
If during the install, Windows asks for drivers, point to the location of your printer drivers."

IME, I do this when a customer's printer has the same issue as yours and it (usually) works fine.