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HP Enterprise - Install fails or unable to print after installing the printer driver in Windows

Issue

The installation fails or unable to print to one of the following HP Enterprise printers after installing the printer-specific PCL6 driver from the CD or from an older file downloaded previously from HP.com in Windows.
  • HP LaserJet Enterprise M506
  • HP LaserJet Enterprise MFP M527
  • HP LaserJet Enterprise Flow MFP M527
  • HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M552
  • HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M553
  • HP Color LaserJet Enterprise MFP M577
  • HP Color LaserJet Enterprise Flow MFP M577
  • HP LaserJet Enterprise M604
  • HP LaserJet Enterprise M605
  • HP LaserJet Enterprise M606
  • HP PageWide Enterprise Color 556
  • HP PageWide Enterprise Color MFP 586
  • HP PageWide Enterprise Color Flow MFP 586

Cause

As of April 1, 2015, new .inf files were created for the printer-specific PCL6 (discrete) driver for these printers.

Solution

Uninstall the existing driver and install the HP PCL 6, HP PCL.6 or HP PCL-6 driver required for the operating system version.
  1. Uninstall the existing driver.
    1. Open Devices and Printers.
    2. Right-click the printer and select Remove device.
    3. Select Yes to confirm.
  2. Determine which PCL and .inf file type (HP PCL 6, HP PCL.6, or HP PCL-6) is required for your operating system. See PCL and INF files by operating system.
  3. Download the latest printer-specific PCL driver.
    1. Go to www.hp.com/support and select your country/language.
    2. Select Software and Drivers.
    3. Type your printer model.
    4. Search your printer model.
    5. Select the appropriate operating system and version.
    6. Locate the HP PCL 6, HP PCL.6 or HP PCL-6 driver-only option you identified in step 2.
      note:
      This is typically found under the Driver - Product Installation Software section.
    7. Select Download, select Run, and then follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.

PCL and INF files by operating system

There are three types of PCL6 driver files: HP PCL 6, HP PCL.6, and HP PCL-6. Each comes with an .inf file for either 32-bit (x86.inf) or 64-bit (x64.inf) systems. Compatibility varies with each Windows operating system version. Use the following information to determine which PCL6 driver type and INF file is compatible with the Windows operating systems listed below. Depending on the printer model, not all files listed below will be available on the CD but all files are available for download from hp.com.
note:
The HP PCL6 V4 discrete driver files listed below are only available for download on HP.com. The HP PCL6 V3 discrete driver files are available on the in-box CD and for download on HP.com.

Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 8

32-bit
  • Use the HP PCL 6 V3 (hp*_x86.inf file), or
  • Use the HP PCL-6 V4 (hp*4_x86.inf file)
64-bit
  • Use the HP PCL 6 V3 (hp*_x64.inf file), or
  • Use the HP PCL-6 V4 (hp*4_x64.inf file)

Windows 7

32-bit
  • Use the HP PCL 6 V3 (hp*_x86.inf file)
64-bit
  • Use the HP PCL 6 V3 (hp*_x64.inf file)

Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2

64-bit
  • Use the HP PCL 6 V3 (hp*_x64.inf file), or
    note:
    This driver can be used on a Windows 7 (or newer) 64–bit client.
  • Use the HP PCL-6 V4 (hp*4_x64.inf file)
    note:
    This driver can be used on a Windows 8 (or newer) 64–bit client.

Windows Server 2008

32-bit
  • Use the HP PCL.6 V3 (hp*c.inf file)
64-bit
  • Use the HP PCL 6 V3 (hp*_x64.inf file)

Windows Server 2008 R2

64-bit
  • Use the HP PCL 6 V3 (hp*_x64.inf file)

Windows Server 2003

32-bit
  • Use the HP PCL.6 V3 (hp*c.inf file)
    note:
    Windows Server 2003 64-bit is not supported.

Windows Vista

32-bit
  • Use the HP PCL.6 V3 (hp*c.inf file)
    note:
    Windows Vista 64-bit is not supported.

Windows XP

32-bit
  • Use the HP PCL.6 V3 (hp*c.inf file)
    note:
    Windows XP 64-bit is not supported.
PCL and INF files available by operating system
PCL.6 V3 32–bit
HP PCL 6 V3 32–bit
HP PCL 6 V3 64–bit
HP PCL-6 V4 32–bit
HP PCL-6 V4 64–bit
(hp*c.inf)
(hp*_x86.inf)
(hp*_x64.inf)
(hp*4_x86.inf)
(hp*4_x86.inf)
Windows 2012 R2 (64)
X
X
Windows 2012 (64)
X
X
Windows 10 (64)
X
X
Windows 10 (32)
X
X
Windows 8.1 (64)
X
X
Windows 8.1 (32)
X
X
Windows 8 (64)
X
X
Windows 8 (32)
X
X
Windows 7 (64)
X
Windows 7 (32)
X
Windows 2008 (64)
X
Windows 2008 (32)
X
Windows 2003 (32)
X
Windows Vista (32)
X
Windows XP (32)
X

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