Fix HP Deskjet Driver Issues in Windows 10

HP Deskjet printers are reliable workhorses, but Windows 10 updates, corrupted driver files, or leftover software from an old printer can cause the dreaded “driver is unavailable” error or make the printer vanish from your device list. This guide walks you through the most effective, safe methods to remove broken drivers, reinstall fresh ones, and get your Deskjet printing again—without needing to call support or buy new hardware.

What You’ll Need

Your HP Deskjet model number (printed on the front or top of the printer)
Administrator access to the Windows 10 PC
A stable internet connection (or the original driver CD as a fallback)
A USB cable if your printer is not on Wi-Fi
About 15–20 minutes of time

Step-by-Step

Run the Windows built-in troubleshooter first. Open Settings (Win + I) → Update & Security → Troubleshoot → Additional troubleshooters → select Printer → Run the troubleshooter. This often auto-detects and repairs a corrupted driver queue. If it finds nothing, proceed.
Uninstall the existing printer completely. Go to Settings → Devices → Printers & scanners. Click your Deskjet, then Remove device. Do not reconnect the printer yet.
Delete the driver package from the system. Open Device Manager (right-click the Start button → Device Manager). Expand Print queues, right-click your Deskjet, and choose Uninstall device. In the dialog that appears, check the box that says Delete the driver software for this device, then click Uninstall.
Remove leftover HP software. Open Settings → Apps → Apps & features. Uninstall anything named “HP” that relates to your printer (e.g., HP Smart, HP DeskJet series, HP Support Framework). Restart your PC after this step.
Download the correct driver from HP’s official site. Go to support.hp.com. Type your exact model (e.g., “DeskJet 2755e”) into the search bar. Select Software and Drivers, choose Windows 10 as the operating system, and download the Full Feature Software or Basic Driver—not just the HP Smart app, which sometimes lacks the core print driver.
Run the downloaded installer as administrator. Right-click the downloaded .exe file and select Run as administrator. Choose USB or Wireless connection when prompted. If using USB, plug the printer in only when the installer tells you to. Follow the on-screen prompts to completion.
Restart and test. After installation, restart your PC. Print a test page via Settings → Devices → Printers & scanners → select your Deskjet → Manage → Print a test page.
If the driver still fails, use the HP Print and Scan Doctor. Download and run HP’s free diagnostic tool (available on HP’s support site). It will detect the printer, reinstall the driver in the background, and fix print spooler issues automatically.

Common Mistakes

Plugging in the USB cable before installing the software. Windows will try to auto-install a generic driver, which often conflicts with the full HP driver later. Always install software first, then connect.
Skipping the “Delete driver software” checkbox. If you leave the old driver package in Windows, the next install may reuse the corrupted files. Always check that box.
Downloading the wrong architecture. Ensure you select the 64-bit driver if your Windows is 64-bit (most are). You can check in Settings → System → About → System type.
Using a third-party driver updater. These tools often install outdated or unsigned drivers, causing more problems. Stick to HP’s official site or Windows Update.

Tips

Disable automatic driver updates temporarily. If Windows keeps overwriting your HP driver with a bad one, go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update → Advanced options → Delivery Optimization → Advanced options and toggle off “Download updates over other networks.” Better yet, use the Show or hide updates troubleshooter tool from Microsoft to block the faulty driver.
Use HP Smart for wireless setup. For Wi-Fi Deskjets, the HP Smart app (from the Microsoft Store) handles network configuration more reliably than the legacy installer. Install the app first, then add your printer through it.
Keep your printer firmware updated. HP periodically releases firmware that fixes connectivity and driver compatibility issues. Check HP Support for a firmware update for your model.
Create a restore point before major changes. If something goes wrong, you can roll back in minutes. Search “Create a restore point” in the Start menu, then click Create.

Troubleshooting

Printer shows as “Driver is unavailable” after all steps. This usually means the print spooler service is stuck. Open Services (type “services.msc” in Run), find Print Spooler, right-click and select Restart. Then try printing again.

Installer fails with an error code. Note the exact code (e.g., 0x800f0247). Search it on HP’s support forum—most codes point to missing Windows updates. Run Windows Update fully, restart, and retry the install.

Printer connects but prints garbage characters. This indicates a mismatched driver (e.g., a PCL driver installed for a PostScript-only printer). Uninstall and reinstall, making sure you select the exact model variant from HP’s site, not a generic HP driver.

Wireless printer not found during setup. Temporarily disable your VPN, firewall, or third-party antivirus, then run the setup again. Also, ensure your PC and printer are on the same 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band—many Deskjets do not support 5 GHz.

Driver installs but printer is offline. Open Printers & scanners, click your Deskjet, then Manage → Printer properties → Ports. Ensure the correct port is selected (USB001 for wired, or the IP address for wireless). Uncheck “Use Printer Offline” in the printer’s context menu if it appears.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does Windows 10 keep saying “Driver is unavailable” for my HP Deskjet?
A: This error usually means the driver files are corrupted, or Windows Update replaced your HP driver with an incompatible generic one. A full uninstall (including the driver package) followed by a fresh install from HP’s site is the fix.

Q: Can I just use the HP Smart app instead of a full driver?
A: Yes, for basic printing on most modern Deskjets, HP Smart works. However, advanced features like duplex printing, scan-to-email, or custom paper sizes may require the full feature driver. If HP Smart fails, install the full driver.

Q: My printer worked before the Windows 10 feature update. What changed?
A: Major Windows updates sometimes reset the print spooler or remove third-party drivers. Reinstalling the latest HP driver for your model, after cleaning out the old one, usually resolves this.

Q: Is it safe to use the driver from the CD that came with my printer?
A: It is safe, but it is likely outdated and may not be compatible with the latest Windows 10 builds. Prefer downloading the current driver from HP’s website.

Q: How do I know if my HP Deskjet is 32-bit or 64-bit compatible?
A: Your printer hardware is fine with either; what matters is your Windows version. Check Settings → System → About → System type, then download the matching driver architecture.

Q: The HP driver installer says “Setup could not detect the printer.” What do I do?
A: For USB, try a different cable and port (preferably a rear port). For wireless, restart your router and printer, then use HP Smart to add the printer by IP address instead of automatic detection.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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