HP Printers - Installing an Alternate USB Print Driver (Windows 8)

This document is for HP printers and computers using Windows 8.

If you are having trouble finding a windows 8 driver for your printer and you need to print, a print driver solution might be included with the Windows 8 operating system. There is no need to download any additional software. The print driver for HP Deskjet 5550 or HP Deskjet 990c works as an alternative driver that is compatible with many types of HP printers. Once you install and configure the alternate print driver, your printer will be able perform basic print operations.

Install a basic print driver over the Internet using Microsoft Windows Update.

1. Make sure that the USB cable is not connected to the printer. If the USB cable is connected to the printer, disconnect it.
2. Make sure the computer is connected to the Internet.
3. Right-click the Start button () in the lower left corner of the screen, click Search, and then type Devices and Printers.
4. Click Devices and Printers.
5. Click Add a printer. The Add Printer window opens.
6. Click The printer that I want isn't listed.
7. Select Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings, and then click Next.
8. Select Use an existing port, and then click the Use an existing port drop-down list, select LPT1: (Printer Port). Click Next.
9. Click the Windows Update button to see the HP Deskjet 5550 print driver. This might take a few minutes.
10. Under Manufacturer in the Install the printer driver window, click HP.
11. Under Printers, select HP Deskjet 5550 as the alternate driver for your printer, and then click Next.
12. In the Printer name text box, the printer's name displays. Click Next. The print driver starts the installation process. When the installation is complete, a message displays on the computer stating that the printer was added successfully.
13. Click the box to Set as the default printer, and then click Finish.
14. Connect the USB cable to the printer, and connect the USB cable to the computer. A Device driver software was not successfully installed window opens.
15. Click Close to close the window.

Configure the installed driver by changing the port from parallel to a DOT4 port.

1. In the Devices and Printers window, right-click the name of the printer and then click Printer Properties.
   The Printer Properties window opens.
2. Click the Ports tab.
3. Click the drop down menu, and then change the port from LPT1 to USB or DOT4. If there is more than one USB/DOT4 port available, select the USB/DOT4 port with the highest port number.

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   To see the full port name, widen the ports row in the Properties dialog box by placing the cursor over the vertical line between Port and Description, and then click and hold the mouse button. Move the mouse to the right until the port name is visible.

4. Click OK.

Confirm that the basic print driver works by printing a test page.

1. Right-click the Start button () in the lower left corner of the screen, click Search, and then type Devices and Printers.
2. Click Devices and Printers.
3. Right-click on the newly added print driver, HP Deskjet 5550, and then click Printer Properties.
4. From the General tab, click Print Test Page.
   • If the page prints, you can use the basic print driver to print. Other functions, such as scanning and advanced printing options may not be supported.
   • If the page does not print, your printer might not be compatible with the basic in-OS driver in Windows 8. You can repeat these steps to try the other driver HP Deskjet 990c or replace the printer with a printer that is compatible with Windows 8.