HP Printer Driver Issues: Complete Troubleshooting Guide

Last updated: February 8, 2026 | 15 min read

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HP printers are reliable workhorses, but driver issues can bring productivity to a halt. This comprehensive guide covers the most common HP printer driver problems and provides step-by-step solutions to get you printing again.

Common HP Printer Driver Problems

HP printer drivers act as translators between your computer and printer. When these drivers malfunction, you'll encounter errors like:

"Driver is unavailable" error message
Printer not found or offline status
Print jobs stuck in queue
Poor print quality or garbled output
Windows can't find printer after updates
USB printer not recognized

Problem 1: "Driver Unavailable" Error

This is the most frustrating HP driver error. Your printer appears in Windows but won't print, displaying "Driver is unavailable" when you try.

Solution: Complete Driver Reinstall

Step 1: Remove Current Drivers

Press Windows Key + R
Type control printers and press Enter
Right-click your HP printer
Select "Remove device"
Click "Yes" to confirm

Step 2: Delete Driver Packages

Press Windows Key + R
Type printmanagement.msc and press Enter
Expand "Print Servers" → Your computer name → "Drivers"
Right-click the HP driver
Select "Remove"
Check "Remove driver and driver package"
Click OK

Step 3: Install Fresh Drivers

Visit HP's official support website
Enter your printer model (e.g., "HP DeskJet 2755e")
Download the "Full Feature Software and Drivers" package
Run the installer
Follow on-screen prompts
Restart your computer

Problem 2: HP Printer Not Found After Windows Update

Windows updates frequently break printer functionality. Your HP printer was working fine, then suddenly disappeared after an update.

Quick Fix: Windows Troubleshooter

Open Settings → System → Troubleshoot
Click "Other troubleshooters"
Find "Printer" and click "Run"
Follow the prompts
Windows will attempt to detect and fix issues automatically

Advanced Fix: Roll Back Driver

If the troubleshooter doesn't work, you can roll back to the previous driver version:

Right-click Start and select "Device Manager"
Expand "Print queues"
Right-click your HP printer
Select "Properties" → "Driver" tab
Click "Roll Back Driver" (if available)
Select a reason and click "Yes"

Problem 3: HP Wireless Printer Won't Connect

Wireless HP printers often lose connection or fail to connect during setup. This usually relates to network configuration rather than drivers.

Solution: Network Reset and Reconfiguration

Check Network: Ensure printer and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network (not guest network)
Restart Everything: Power cycle printer, computer, and router
Reset Printer Network: Access printer's network menu and select "Restore Network Settings"
Run Wireless Setup: Use printer's control panel to reconnect to Wi-Fi
Reinstall Printer: Add printer again in Windows using HP Smart app

Pro Tip: Download the HP Smart app (free for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android). It simplifies wireless setup and automatically installs correct drivers.

Problem 4: Print Jobs Stuck in Queue

Print jobs accumulate in the queue but nothing prints. This often indicates a driver communication problem.

Solution: Clear Print Spooler

Windows Method:

Press Windows Key + R
Type services.msc and press Enter
Scroll to "Print Spooler"
Right-click and select "Stop"
Open File Explorer and navigate to:
C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS
Delete all files in this folder
Return to Services window
Right-click "Print Spooler" and select "Start"
Try printing again

Problem 5: HP Universal Print Driver Issues

The HP Universal Print Driver (UPD) works with many HP printers but can cause problems when used with incompatible models.

When to Use HP Universal Print Driver:

Printing to multiple HP printers in an office
Your specific printer model lacks Windows 11 drivers
You need basic printing functionality only

When NOT to Use Universal Driver:

You need scanning or copying features
Model-specific driver is available
You need advanced features (duplex, multiple trays)

Installing HP UPD Correctly:

Download UPD from HP's official website
Uninstall any existing HP drivers first
Run UPD installer as administrator
Select your printer model from the list
Choose connection type (USB or Network)
Complete installation and restart

Problem 6: HP Printer USB Not Recognized

You've connected your HP printer via USB, but Windows shows "USB Device Not Recognized" or doesn't detect the printer at all.

Troubleshooting Steps:

Try Different USB Port: Use a different port, preferably USB 2.0 on desktop PCs
Avoid USB Hubs: Connect directly to computer, not through a hub
Replace Cable: USB cables fail more often than you'd think
Update USB Drivers: In Device Manager, update "Universal Serial Bus controllers"
Disable USB Selective Suspend:
- Control Panel → Power Options
- Change plan settings → Change advanced power settings
- USB settings → USB selective suspend setting
- Set to "Disabled"

HP Smart App: The Easy Fix

HP Smart app solves many driver problems automatically. It's the easiest way to set up and troubleshoot HP printers.

HP Smart Features:

Automatic driver installation
Wireless printer setup wizard
Print quality diagnostics
Ink level monitoring
Mobile printing from phone
Scan to device or cloud

How to Use HP Smart:

Download HP Smart from Microsoft Store (Windows) or App Store (Mac/iOS)
Open HP Smart app
Click "+" to add printer
Follow on-screen setup instructions
HP Smart installs drivers automatically

Preventing Future HP Driver Issues

Avoid driver problems before they happen with these best practices:

Keep Drivers Updated: Check HP's website quarterly for driver updates
Use Full Drivers: Download "Full Feature Software" not just basic drivers
Avoid Windows Generic Drivers: They lack features and cause problems
Backup Working Drivers: Create system restore point when drivers work
Delay Windows Updates: Wait a few days after major updates to see if printing issues are reported

Recommended HP Printers with Solid Driver Support

If you're shopping for a new HP printer, these models have excellent driver support and reliability:

HP DeskJet 2755e

$79

Budget-friendly with excellent driver support. Easy wireless setup via HP Smart app.

View on Amazon

HP ENVY 6455e

$149

All-in-one with auto document feeder. Regular driver updates and HP+ features.

View on Amazon

When to Contact HP Support

If you've tried all troubleshooting steps and still have driver issues:

HP Support Website: Visit support.hp.com for live chat
HP Print and Scan Doctor: Download this free diagnostic tool from HP
HP Forums: Community members often have solutions for specific models
Phone Support: Call HP support if printer is under warranty

Conclusion

Most HP printer driver issues can be resolved by completely removing old drivers and installing fresh downloads from HP's website. The HP Smart app eliminates many common setup problems and is highly recommended for all HP printer users.

Remember these key points:

Always download drivers directly from HP, not third-party sites
Use "Full Feature Software" not basic drivers
HP Smart app automates driver installation and troubleshooting
Network issues often appear as driver problems
Regular driver updates prevent many issues

With proper driver management, your HP printer should provide years of reliable service. When problems do occur, this guide will help you quickly diagnose and fix the issue to get back to printing.