Completely Uninstall / Reinstall a printer

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Where I volunteer, they have an HP LaserJet MFP M426fdn that’s become very problematic to use and I’ve been asked to fix it. Without going into the details of what’s going on I prefer to completely uninstall it and then properly install it. In Devices and Printers, I know I can choose the printers icon and select Remove device but does that remove all drivers, software and what ever else it takes to remove everything pertaining to that printer.

Following that I’ll reinstall the printer software, drivers and firmware
HP LaserJet Pro MFP M426fdn
https://support.hp.com/us-en/product/hp-laserjet-pro-mfp-m426-m427-f-series/7458650/model/7458655?sku=F6W14A
In addition, it will be connected via USB because that’s what the office wants.
It’s a public printer available for volunteers & visitors

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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The HP software (aka bloatware) is known to add all sorts of extra things that Windows doesn’t seem to need so removing it can be difficult.
I’d delete the device in Device Manager, then unplug it. Now you can uninstall any HP software you can find. Lastly, remove any printer ports HP has installed.
PowerShell has Get-PrinterPort and Remove-PrinterPort commands that should do the job.

Now you can reboot and then plug the printer back in.

cheers, Paul

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cmptrgy

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For an HP printer it is vitally important that you DO NOT plug the printer in with a USB cable before installing the HP (downloaded from HP) software. If you plug in the printer before installing the HP software, it will install the Microsoft/Windows generic drivers and you will not have use of the HP specific software/special functions.

The proper sequence is to install the downloaded HP software first and wait for it to ask for connection. That will make the HP specific drivers the default.

This does not apply if you are using a network (wired) or WiFi connection. The best way to connect a network printer is to assign a static IP address, either through the printer’s menu or a reserved IP in the router, so that the printer remains on a constant IP. I have had problems using DHCP to assign the IP address because the address then becomes dynamic (arbitrary).

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cmptrgy

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PKCano wrote:

The best way to connect a network printer is to assign a static IP address

I quite happily use DHCP for printers and then use the DNS name for the network port. Saves the admin overhead at home or in a small installation.
Corporate is different as you probably want more control over the printer so you never allow users to connect to it directly.

cheers, Paul

 

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cmptrgy

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For many environments the best way to do things might be to have the DHCP server set to assign the printer a “reserved” IP.

Gets most of the benefits from fixed IP and most of the benefits from being DHCP-managed.

Then there’s the other thing about how to connect to a printer – even if the installer suggests that, I recommend not using WSD.

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Thanks for all of that excellent advice. I had made sure that printer ran fine for at least 3, maybe 4 years. I took time off for 3 months and since the printer is a public printer it seems some users decided to do whatever they did. Fortunately I understand the basics of what needs to be done. I don’t know why, but the office wants it connected via USB although I prefer wireless. I have an HP printer at home working wirelessly with a static IP address but I had HP set that up for me when I bought the printer and it still runs as good as the day I put it into use. I’ll also look into the PowerShell commands for the printer ports. Fortunately I’m confident now I’ll be able to get it going properly. I’ll post back on the results.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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Solved.
One of the office personnel used OneNote to have the printer print documents.
But I still uninstalled the printer in Device Manager.
I uninstalled HP Printer and Scan Doctor that was on the desktop by deleting the PSDR folder.
— I don’t know how the HP Printer and Scan Doctor got installed and neither did anyone else.
I still downloaded & installed the drivers from the HP website.
— Fortunately that went well. I was concerned it wouldn’t but it did.
Made sure the USB cable wasn’t connected until informed to do so.
Everything came together and the printer works like a charm. Thanks again.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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Glad you did get this fixed, maybe somebody tried to get it fixed before you could do it yourself with the print and scan doctor. The basic driver package is almost perfect for this kind of environment, unless you need all of the extra software.

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[cmptrgy]

More than 1 person tried to fix it themselves. I did not install the HP Print and Scan Doctor or use OneNote and the printer ran fine for 3 years. Office personnel wanted to set up the printer so no one using that printer could access other networked printers and that’s how I found out they wanted to run only as USB connection. The printer prints only in black but users were printing to networked printers in color. I was gone on vacation for 2 months and that’s what I retuned to. If it’s possible for me to accomplish their goal strictly only from this computer; printer please let me know. I don’t have access to their system, I only manage this one computer and printer available as a public printer for visitors and other volunteers.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

• This reply was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by cmptrgy.

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Regarding reply #1980752: I should have reread and typed ever word better, I apologize for stating that you had tried to install use the print and scan doctor program.

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Restrict printer rights via registry will work as long as only one user logs on.
See these two sites – same info, more info on the second.
If you are running Pro and are OK with group policy then you can restrict all users – see the second link .
http://www.activewin.com/tips/reg/1/reg_tip_5.shtml
https://computerstepbystep.com/prevent-addition-of-printers.html

cheers, Paul

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cmptrgy

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anonymous wrote:

Regarding reply #1980752: I should have reread and typed ever word better, I apologize for stating that you had tried to install use the print and scan doctor program.

No apologies needed. I should have explained my opening statement better. When I mentioned that I uninstalled HP Print and Scan Doctor I should have mentioned the reason why as it was as you had stated: it wasn’t necessary or applicable in our case. Have a great day friend.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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Paul T wrote:

Restrict printer rights via registry will work as long as only one user logs on.
See these two sites – same info, more info on the second.
If you are running Pro and are OK with group policy then you can restrict all users – see the second link .
http://www.activewin.com/tips/reg/1/reg_tip_5.shtml
https://computerstepbystep.com/prevent-addition-of-printers.html

cheers, Paul

Thanks Paul, I appreciate that information even though I won’t be allowed to follow through on it. The computer and printer are available to the public (visitors) as well as other volunteers. At the same time though I enjoy learning new things even if they aren’t applicable at the time but I’ll remember most of what I can recall when possible.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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Paul I looked up your first recommendation since the computer is Windows 10 Home. I’m going to see if it can be helpful even if I get resistance. Thanks again.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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Registry Editing Tips Restricting Access to Printer Properties
http://www.activewin.com/tips/reg/1/reg_tip_5.shtml

I looked into it at the office today for Windows 10 Home and unfortunately it doesn’t apply to Windows 10. It appears it applied only up to Vista. And fortunately the printer does continue to print as expected. Thanks for the advice.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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