Experiencing the frustrating “driver is unavailable” error when trying to use your HP printer? This common issue can halt your printing tasks, but thankfully, it’s often resolved by utilizing the built-in drivers in your Windows system. This guide will walk you through the steps to install your HP printer using these drivers, ensuring you can get back to printing quickly and efficiently.
Installing Your HP Printer with Windows Built-in Drivers
Windows has a library of generic drivers that can work with many printers, including HP models. By using these, you can bypass the need for a specific driver download and potentially overcome the “driver is unavailable” problem. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Initiate Printer Installation from Control Panel
Begin by accessing the classic Control Panel. Navigate to “Devices and Printers” and select “Add printer” at the top. Windows will start scanning for available printers. Let this process run, and in the next step, we’ll manually guide it to use the built-in drivers.
Step 2: Force Windows Update for Driver Options
When Windows prompts you to select drivers, it’s crucial to click “Windows Update”. This action refreshes the driver list and ensures you have access to the most comprehensive set of built-in drivers available in your system. Wait for a few moments as Windows updates this list.
Step 3: Choose Your HP Printer Manufacturer and Model
Once the driver list is updated, you’ll see manufacturer options on the left pane. Look for “HP”, “Hewlett Packard”, or “Hewlett-Packard” and click on it. Then, in the right pane, browse through the “Printers” list to find the specific model of your HP printer.
Step 4: Connect Your HP Printer to Your Network
Before proceeding with driver installation, ensure your printer is powered on and connected to your network. The connection method varies based on your printer model:
- Printers with a control panel: Use the Wireless Setup Wizard usually found under the “Wireless”, “Settings”, or “Network Setup” menu. Select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password.
- Printers without a control panel: Press and hold the Wireless button on the printer until the wireless light blinks. Within two minutes, press and hold the WPS button on your router. The light should stop blinking when connected.
- Ethernet connection: Simply connect an Ethernet cable from your printer’s rear port to an available port on your router.
Make sure your computer is connected to the same network as your printer.
Step 5: Finalize Printer Setup in Windows
Now, go to “Add a printer or scanner” in Windows settings (search for it in the Windows search bar). Click “Add a printer or scanner”. Windows will now attempt to find your printer on the network. Once it appears in the list, click on your printer’s name and then “Add device” to complete the installation.
Step 6: Troubleshooting if Your Printer Isn’t Listed
If Windows doesn’t automatically find your printer, click “The printer that I want isn’t listed” link. This will open a new window with several options to manually locate and add your printer. Follow the on-screen prompts to try alternative methods of adding your printer.
By following these steps, you should be able to install your HP printer using Windows built-in drivers and resolve the “driver is unavailable” error. For more detailed information, you can refer to HP’s official guide on HP printer setup with Windows built-in drivers.
