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HP LaserJet 1018, 1018s, 1020, and 1020 Plus Printers - 'Unsupported Personality: PCL' Error Page Prints

Issue

During normal use of the product, an 'Unsupported Personality: PCL' error page prints.

Solution

Follow these steps to download and install the most current print drivers for your product.

Step one: Download the print drivers

  1. Turn on the printer.
  2. Disconnect the USB cable from the printer, if necessary. The software installation prompts you to connect the cable if needed.
  3. Go to HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads.
  4. If a Let's identify your product to get started page displays, click Printer, type your printer model number, and then click Submit.
  5. If you need to change the operating system, click Change, select your version, and then click Change.
  6. Under the Driver heading, click Download for the full software package, or click Basic Drivers for other driver options.

Step two: Install the print driver

Follow these steps to install the downloaded software and driver.
  1. When the download is complete and you are ready to install the files, click Open Folder, and then click the downloaded file. The file name ends in .exe.
    note:
    If you closed the Download Complete screen, browse to the folder where you saved the .exe file, and then click it.
  2. You can accept the default location to save the files. Click Next, and then wait while the installer extracts the files to prepare for installation.
  3. When the Install Wizard starts, follow the on-screen instructions to install the software.
    For a Full Feature installation, you choose what type of installation you want. The following information might help you decide which installation type to use.
    Recommended
    Custom
    For full use of all your product features: This installation provides full product functionality. HP also includes valuable software to help you get the most out of your product.
    This installation type is designed to work for most users.
    A custom type of installation might be available for your product. This installation allows you to install the minimum software required or the preferred software.
    Use this type of installation only if the computer is low on hard disk space or you attempted a recommended type of installation and received errors. (Try to fix any errors before starting a custom installation.)
      caution:
    To avoid unintended loss of product functionality, read the description of each software component carefully during the installation process.
    The Recommended type of installation allows you to get the most out of your product.

Cause

The HP LaserJet 1018 and 1020 series products do not support Printer Command Language (PCL) printing. Because these products do not support PCL, this error occurs by design and is not a bug in the product software.

Additional support options

Try one of our automated tools or diagnostics
Ask a question on our HP Support Community page
Get in touch with one of our support agents

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