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HP LaserJet - Install the Windows driver for an HP printer on a network in Windows 10

Introduction

To determine whether the printer is supported or to view a list of HP LaserJet drivers and software available for use in Windows, go to Drivers and software support for Windows 10.
note:
HP drivers for Windows 10 will not be available in Windows or Windows Update until Windows 10 releases July 29, 2015.
Many HP LaserJets come with a driver provided in Windows Update or built into the Windows operating system (OS) also known as "In-OS". For some LaserJets, these are the only drivers available for the printer and there is no download available from www.hp.com. This document provides instructions on how to obtain the driver for a wired or wireless network-connected printer.
If the printer is supported, you can obtain the driver one of four ways:

Method one: Connect to a network and enable auto discovery

In Windows 10, an auto-setup feature is enabled by default for all computers and printers on a small network with 30 devices or less. When you first connect the computer to a network, the operating system prompts you to allow Windows to discover devices and printers on home and work networks. If allowed, Windows automatically detects the printer, and downloads and installs the correct HP driver software (where available) for devices and printers. This requires that network is not part of domain and that the user has Administrator privileges.
note:
If your environment has more than 30 devices, this feature might be disabled. To enable this feature, turn on Web Services Discovery or contact your system administrator or IT help desk.
  1. Connect to a wired or wireless network.
  2. Select Yes to allow Windows to connect to the private network and automatically discover and setup printers.
    note:
    If you already received this prompt and either opted out or selected a public network, skip to the Method two to manually install from Windows Devices and Printers. To change your selection, open Settings, select Network & Internet, select Ethernet, select the connection, and then turn On the 'Find devices and content' feature.
    Figure : Windows 10 auto discovery prompt
  3. Wait for Windows to automatically detect and setup the printer.

Method two: Install the driver now from Windows Devices and Printers

If the printer is connected to a network with 30 or less devices, follow these steps:
note:
If your environment has more than 30 devices, this feature might require administrator credentials. If so, contact your system administrator or IT help desk.
  1. Connect the network cable to the printer.
  2. Open Devices and Printers.
  3. Click Add Printer and wait for Windows to automatically detect available printers.
  4. Select the printer and click Next.
  5. If prompted, type the WPS PIN for the printer.
  6. Follow the onscreen prompts to complete the installation.
If the printer was not listed, try the steps below.
  1. Open Devices and Printers.
  2. Click Add Printer.
  3. Click The printer I want isn't listed.
  4. Select My printer is a little older. Help me find it and follow the onscreen prompts to complete the installation.
If the printer is not found, try the steps below.
  1. Have the printer IP address or hostname ready.
  2. Open Devices and Printers.
  3. Click Add Printer.
  4. Click The printer I want isn't listed.
  5. Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings and click Next.
  6. Select Standard TCP/IP port.
  7. Type the printer IP address or host name and then click Next.
  8. Select Replace the current driver and click Next.
  9. Print a test page.
    • If the test page prints, you are done.
    • If not, or for more advanced features, see Install the driver from Windows Update or when connected to a different subnet.

Method three: Install the driver using Windows Update or when connected to a different subnet

note:
If your company restricts access to the internet or Windows Update, contact your system administrator or IT Help Desk.
  1. Run Windows Update.
    1. Make sure the computer is connected to the internet.
    2. Open Devices and Printers.
    3. Click Add Printer.
    4. Click The printer I want isn't listed.
    5. Select Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings and click Next.
    6. Select Use an existing port.
    7. Click Windows Update and wait for the update process to complete.
  2. Click HP from the Manufacturer list and find your printer.
    note:
    The printer drivers might not be listed in alpha or numerical order. Be sure to carefully scroll through the list to find the correct printer model.
  3. Select the printer driver and then click Next.
  4. Select Replace the current driver.
  5. Print a test page.
If you were not able to successfully install the print driver or you can't print, see the Troubleshooting section.

Method four: Download the driver for later use or use on another computer

To download the Windows Update driver to install later or on another computer, follow these steps:
note:
These steps are typically intended for system administrators and IT Help Desk professionals. These steps can also be used by users who are unable to connect to Windows Update or otherwise want an alternative option to obtain the driver file.
  1. Go to Microsoft Knowledge Base article 323166 and read the instructions before proceeding.
  2. Go to the Microsoft Update Catalog (http://catalog.update.microsoft.com) and, if prompted, create a username and login.
    note:
    To view a list of frequently asked questions about the Microsoft Update Catalog, go to the following Microsoft Web site http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Faq.aspx.
  3. Type the HP printer name or model number (M351 or M475, etc.) in the search field, and then click Search.
  4. In the Microsoft Update Catalog search results, locate the driver under the Classification column indicated by Drivers (Printers).
  5. Select the driver option with the Windows 10 operating system indicated in the Products column, and then click Add.
  6. Repeat this process for any additional print drivers in Windows and then download the updates.
  7. Follow Microsoft's instructions to extract and install the driver(s) as described in Microsoft Knowledge Base article 323166.
If you were not able to successfully install the print driver in Windows, see the Troubleshooting section.

Troubleshooting

If you have trouble during installation, use the following tips:
  • Make sure the computer on which you want to install the driver is connected to the internet.
  • If necessary, temporarily disable your firewall to use Windows Update.
  • Make sure that the printer is powered on and is properly configured.
  • Make sure that you have administrator credentials.
Use the links below to troubleshoot a specific symptom:

I don't know the IP address or hostname

If you do not know or have the printer IP address or hostname, print a configuration page that contains the printer IP address. For instructions see the user guide that came with the printer.

Unable to connect to Windows Update

Make sure the computer is connected to the internet and that Windows Update is enabled. If internet access is not available or if your company restricts access to Windows Update, contact your system administrator or IT help desk.

The driver is not listed

Try again to run Windows Update and try searching again by model number (M351 or M475, for example). If the driver is still not listed, the printer might not be supported. Go to Printers not supported in Windows.

The driver is listed but it does not work

Install the driver manually using Windows Devices and Printers.

Loss of functionality or features

Install the driver manually from Devices and Printers, or go to HP Support and search for a driver download.

Unable to print or scan

Install the driver manually from Devices and Printers.

"Your devices are ready to use" message

When plugging in the USB cable, this connection creates the port and in some cases automatically installs the driver. For printers that have a driver included in Windows, when you connect your computer to the internet and then connect the product to the computer using a USB cable, Windows detects the hardware and automatically installs the correct driver. If a Your devices are ready to use window is displayed and does not close automatically, close the window.

Multiple drivers are listed for the printer

The 'Class' driver listed in Devices and Printers is typically the In-OS driver. This driver is typically recommended when no other option is available. If multiple drivers are listed for your printer and you are not sure which one to choose, go to How to Select the Correct Printer Driver.

Windows Update appears to freeze or stall

The Windows Update process can take some time to complete (depending on the environment this can take up to an hour or more). Do not interrupt the update process and be sure to wait for the process to finish. If the Windows Update process appears to freeze or stall, check your internet connection and try again.

Two printers are listed after the install

If you have two printers listed in Devices and Printers and you only want one, remove the printer that is not selected as the default. To remove it, right click the printer that is not selected as the default and the click Remove device.
If you were not able to successfully install the print driver included in Windows or from Windows Update, the printer might not be supported. Go to Products Not Supported in Windows.