HP Printer Driver Guide: Get the Right Driver and Fix Driver Errors
Find the right driver for your HP printer, install it on Windows or Mac, keep it up to date, and fix the errors that show up when it stops working. You'll never need to pay for any of it.
What an HP Printer Driver Does (and How to Tell It's the Problem)
Your computer and your HP printer don't speak the same language. The driver translates. It turns the document you send to print into instructions the printer can follow, and it also lets your computer use the scanner, paper tray settings, and features like two-sided printing.
When the driver goes wrong, the printer itself is usually fine. Here's what driver trouble tends to look like:
Windows shows "Driver is unavailable" under the printer's name
Print jobs sit in the queue and never print
Scan options or two-sided printing are suddenly missing
Pages come out blank or covered in random symbols
The printer disappeared from your device list after a Windows update
If any of that sounds familiar, the sections below walk you through the fix, starting with making sure you have the right driver in the first place.
Which HP Printer Driver Should You Install?
HP offers several kinds of printer software. The right one depends on your computer, your printer, and how much you need beyond basic printing.
The HP App (Replaced HP Smart)
The HP app is HP's current all-in-one app. It replaced HP Smart and also took over from myHP. It walks you through connecting the printer, then handles printing, scanning, copying, mobile fax, ink levels, and troubleshooting from one place. Download it from the Microsoft Store, the Mac App Store, Google Play, or Apple's App Store. HP says it works with most wireless-capable printers made in 2014 or later.
Best for: Home users and small offices with a newer wireless HP printer.
Full Feature Driver
This is the traditional downloadable installer for Windows and Mac. It includes HP's print and scan drivers along with HP Printer Assistant, the desktop tool for printer settings, maintenance, and ink levels. Not every model has one. You can check by entering your model number at 123.hp.com/setup.
Best for: People who scan a lot from a computer, use older desktop programs, or want every setting in one window.
Basic Driver
A smaller download that installs the driver and nothing else. HP recommends it for computers that don't meet the full package's system requirements. On an all-in-one printer, expect to lose most of the scanning, copying, and faxing tools on the computer side.
Best for: Older PCs, locked-down work computers, or when the full installer keeps failing.
The Driver Built Into Windows or macOS
Most HP printers don't need a download at all for basic printing. Windows and macOS set up a working driver on their own when you plug in a USB cable or add the printer over your network. On a Mac, that's usually Apple AirPrint. On Windows 11, compatible printers now tend to get Microsoft's built-in IPP class driver. It's dependable for everyday printing, but you'll see fewer HP-specific settings.
Best for: Quick setups, shared or guest computers, and anyone who just needs to print.
HP Universal Print Driver (UPD) and Smart Universal Printing Driver (SUPD)
These drivers are made for offices and IT teams, not home setups. The UPD comes in PCL 6 and PostScript emulation versions and lets one driver cover many HP business printers. The newer SUPD is a single driver for everything from entry-level inkjets to LaserJet Enterprise and copier-class machines. It runs on x86, x64, and ARM computers and supports PIN printing and encrypted print jobs.
Best for: IT admins managing several HP printers on a network.
Quick Pick
Your situation
Install this
Newer wireless HP printer at home or in a small office
HP app
You scan often from your computer or want HP Printer Assistant
Full feature driver
Older or low-spec computer
Basic driver
Mac with a current HP printer
AirPrint (built in), plus the HP app if you want extras
Windows 11 in S mode
Built-in Windows driver, plus the HP app from the Microsoft Store
Office with many HP printers
HP UPD or SUPD
Before You Download: Two Checks That Save Time
Get your exact model number. "HP OfficeJet Pro" isn't specific enough, since drivers are matched to individual models like the OfficeJet Pro 9015e or LaserJet M209dw. The model name is usually printed on the front of the printer. The full product number is typically on a label on the back or inside the cartridge access door.
Download only from HP. HP printer drivers, the HP app, and HP's printer software are all free. The official sources are HP Software and Driver Downloads at support.hp.com, 123.hp.com, and the official app stores. Search results are full of look-alike "123 HP setup" sites that show fake error messages and then push a phone number. HP's real setup address is just 123.hp.com, with no extra words like "setup" added to the domain. If a site wants money for a driver, or a pop-up "technician" says you need a paid fix before you can install it, close the tab.
How to Download and Install an HP Printer Driver on Windows 11 or 10
Clear out failed installs first. If an earlier attempt didn't work, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps (on Windows 10, Settings > Apps > Apps & features), uninstall any HP software for this printer, and restart.
Keep the USB cable unplugged if you use one. Wait until the installer asks you to connect it.
Open HP Software and Driver Downloads at support.hp.com, choose Printer, and enter your model.
Check the operating system the page detected. If it's wrong, change it to your exact version of Windows.
Download the full feature software if it's listed. Choose the basic driver only if your computer can't run the full package.
Run the installer, accept the license agreement, and pick your connection type: USB, Wi-Fi, or wired network.
Let it finish. Don't close the window if it pauses while it searches for the printer.
Print a test page. Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select your HP printer, and choose Print test page.
Prefer the app? Install the HP app from the Microsoft Store, open it, and follow the prompts to add your printer.
Want the no-download route? Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners and click Add device. If Windows finds the printer but doesn't install a driver, search Windows for Change device installation settings and make sure Yes is selected.
How to Set Up an HP Printer on a Mac
Most current HP printers don't need a separate driver on a Mac. Apple AirPrint, which is built into macOS, handles printing and basic scanning.
Connect the printer to the same Wi-Fi network as your Mac, or plug it in with a USB cable.
Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners (on older macOS versions, System Preferences).
Click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax, select your HP printer, and click Add.
If there's a Use menu, choose AirPrint or Secure AirPrint.
Print something with File > Print to confirm it works.
Printer not showing up? Run Software Update on your Mac first, since some printer support arrives through macOS updates. Then check HP Software and Driver Downloads for a macOS package for your model.
Want more than AirPrint offers? Install the HP app from the Mac App Store for guided setup, ink levels, and more scan settings. HP's free HP Easy Scan app, also in the Mac App Store, adds two-sided scanning and can turn scans into editable text.
A note on HP Easy Start: Older guides tell Mac users to install HP Easy Start. It only supports certain macOS versions, and many users report it failing on recent releases. On a current Mac, use AirPrint and the HP app instead.
How to Update Your HP Printer Driver
There's no need to check for driver updates every week. Update when something stops working, after a major Windows or macOS upgrade, or when HP releases new firmware for your printer. These are the safe ways to do it:
The HP app. Turn on automatic app updates in the Microsoft Store or App Store. HP recommends this so the app stays compatible with your printer.
HP's download page. Look up your model on HP Software and Driver Downloads, compare the version and release date with what you have installed, and run the newer package if there is one.
Windows Update. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates, expand Driver updates, and install only the item that names your HP printer. (See the 2026 changes below for why this is becoming a less reliable source.)
Printer firmware. Firmware isn't the driver, but it matters just as much. It runs on the printer itself, and you can update it from the printer's control panel or download it from HP's site.
On a Mac, AirPrint updates arrive with macOS, so keeping Software Update current is all you need to do.
How to Fix "HP Printer Driver Is Unavailable" in Windows
This message means Windows can still see your printer but can't load the software it needs to talk to it. It often shows up after a big Windows update, an interrupted install, or a driver that was swapped out behind the scenes. Work through these steps in order and try printing after each one.
Restart everything. Turn off the printer and fully shut down the computer (not sleep), then turn them back on. It takes two minutes and rules out a driver that simply didn't load.
Run the printer troubleshooter. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters and click Run next to Printer. On current Windows 11 builds this opens the Get Help app. You can also open Get Help directly and search for the printer troubleshooter.
Clear the print spooler. Open Services, double-click Print Spooler, and click Stop. Delete everything inside %WINDIR%\System32\spool\PRINTERS, then go back, click Start, and set Startup type to Automatic. A corrupted print job stuck there can block the driver.
Remove the printer and add it back. In Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select the HP printer, click Remove, restart, and then click Add device.
Install HP's driver directly. If Windows attached a generic driver or none at all, download the full feature software or basic driver for your model from HP and run it.
Install every pending Windows update, including optional ones. HP points out that more updates can appear after the first batch installs, so keep checking until nothing is left.
Undo a bad update as a last resort. If the error started the same day an update installed, go to Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates, remove the newest one, and restart. Don't leave updates paused for long, because they carry security fixes.
Did you turn on Windows protected print mode? This Windows 11 security setting removes printers that use manufacturer drivers and only works with Mopria-certified printers. If your HP printer isn't compatible, turn the mode off under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Printer preferences, then add the printer again.
How to Completely Remove and Reinstall an HP Printer Driver
If the error keeps coming back, do a truly clean reinstall. The step most people skip is removing the driver package itself. If you only delete the printer, Windows can quietly reuse the same damaged files the next time you add it.
On Windows 11 or 10:
Unplug the USB cable, or turn off the printer if it connects over your network.
Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find your HP printer software (it's often listed under the printer's name), and click Uninstall. Remove the HP app too if you plan to reinstall it.
In Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, remove every entry for the printer, including duplicates labeled "Copy 1" or similar.
On the same page, open Print server properties, go to the Drivers tab, select the HP driver, click Remove, and choose Remove driver and driver package.
Restart the computer.
Download a fresh copy of the full feature software or the HP app from HP, run it, and connect the printer only when the installer asks.
On a Mac:
Open Printers & Scanners, Control-click in the printer list, and choose Reset printing system. This removes every printer and scanner, not just the HP.
If you've installed HP software before, open Applications, look for an HP or Hewlett Packard folder, and run HP Uninstaller if it's there.
Restart the Mac and add the printer again using AirPrint.
Windows Printer Driver Changes in 2026: What HP Owners Should Know
Microsoft is gradually moving Windows away from manufacturer printer drivers and toward its own built-in driver, which uses the IPP and Mopria printing standards. Here's the timeline:
January 15, 2026: Windows Update stopped publishing new manufacturer printer drivers for Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025, apart from case-by-case exceptions.
July 1, 2026: When you add a compatible printer, Windows now prefers Microsoft's IPP class driver over the manufacturer's driver.
July 1, 2027: Manufacturer driver updates on Windows Update will be limited to security fixes.
What this means for you:
Your working HP printer isn't being cut off. Microsoft has said that if a printer works with Windows today, it will keep working, and you don't need to do anything.
HP's own installers still work. Windows still allows drivers installed from a manufacturer's package, so the downloads on HP's site remain a solid option.
A newly added printer may show fewer settings. If Windows picked its built-in driver, install HP's full feature software or the HP app to get the extra options back.
Go to HP first for drivers. Windows Update is becoming a less dependable place to find them.
FAQs
Do I need the HP app, or is a driver enough?
For printing only, a driver is enough, and the one built into Windows or macOS often does the job. The HP app adds guided Wi-Fi setup, scanning tools, ink alerts, printer settings, and troubleshooting. If you own an all-in-one and scan regularly, the HP app or the full feature software is worth installing.
Can I still download HP Smart?
No. HP replaced HP Smart with the HP app, and once the HP app is available for your device, HP Smart can't be reinstalled. If you update instead of uninstalling, your printers and settings move over automatically. If you uninstalled HP Smart first, you'll just need to add your printers again in the HP app.
What happened to HP Print and Scan Doctor?
HP retired it on May 27, 2025. A high-severity security flaw affected every version, and the tool had also reached the end of support. HP recommends removing it: delete the desktop shortcut and the PSDR folder in C:\HP\Diagnostics and C:\Program Files (x86)\HP\Diagnostics. It was also bundled with HP Support Assistant versions before 9.40.48.0, so update that if you have it. For diagnostics now, use the troubleshooting tools in the HP app.
Should I use a driver updater program for my HP printer?
We don't recommend it. These programs can install a driver meant for a different model or version of Windows, and many come with extra software or ask you to pay for upgrades. Everything your HP printer needs is available free from HP.
Can I install HP printer software on Windows 11 in S mode?
Only from the Microsoft Store. S mode blocks regular .exe installers, so HP's full feature software won't run. Use the driver Windows installs automatically and add the HP app from the Microsoft Store. To use the full feature software, you'd need to switch out of S mode, and that switch can't be undone.
Will a new driver fix my printer problem?
It will if the problem is software related, like a "driver unavailable" error, missing scan options, jobs stuck in the queue, or garbled pages. It won't fix a paper jam, an unrecognized cartridge, or a hardware error on the control panel. HP also notes that wireless connection trouble and most print quality problems usually need other fixes.
How do I check which driver my HP printer is using?
In Windows, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select your printer, click Printer properties, and open the Advanced tab. The Driver field shows the name. "Microsoft IPP Class Driver" means Windows' built-in driver. A name that includes your HP model or "HP Universal Printing" means you're using HP's driver.
Printer Tales is an independent troubleshooting resource and is not affiliated with, authorized by, endorsed by, or sponsored by HP. "HP" and all related names, logos and model names are trademarks or registered trademarks of HP or its affiliates, used here only to identify the products these guides cover. Full disclosure.
