Once you use a computer daily or even once in a while, there is the need to have a printer installed to have your documents printed. It is critical because once this happens, there is easy access into simply sending your documents through without having to set up your devices manually. In this article, we will highlight the steps in efficiently setting up your HP Printer Driver in your 7, 8.1 and 10 versions of Windows.

It may be a hard and complicated task for many, but we will create a simple step by step process to allowing you to understand adequately. Though most times all it requires to connect your printer to your PC is via a cable, it is critical that the drivers are installed to quickly identify the printer when connected and to work efficiently.

Setting Up Your HP Printer Driver

There are different versions of Windows thus there are different steps needed to install your printer drivers. Here is a guide to working with…

How to Install HP Printer Driver in Windows 7

STEP 1: Click on Start

STEP 2: Open the ‘Control Panel‘

STEP 3: In the Control Panel click on Hardware and Sound option

STEP 4: Now click on Devices and Printer Option

STEP 5: You’ll see a bunch of devices inside the Devices and Printers. But, you need to ignore them and click on add a printer at the top

STEP 6: Next, you’ll see the option “What type of Printer do you want to install?” Click on “Add a local printer”

STEP 7: Then, you need to choose an existing port. Choose the LTP1: (Printer Port) and click on Next at the bottom

STEP 8: You need to select the HP Printer under the printer manufacturers section and choose your model number and then click on Next.

STEP 9: You can change the printer name if you want to, otherwise leave the default name as it is and then click on Next

STEP 10: You’ll see a box with Installing Printer message inside it. Once the process is done, you’ll see another box that says, “if you want to share this printer.” Click on share the printer if you want to and if you don’t, then click on Don’t share this printer.

This is how one can easily download and install the HP printer drivers on Windows 7 computer.

How to Install HP Printer Driver in Windows 8.1

Windows have been designed to support practically all printer types and versions and whether you are setting up on your office or home network, once it is completed, you can usually start using right away. The setup for a Windows 8.1 version of your HP Printer Driver may differ from version 7. Once you have installed, you can always get the relevant support you may need from the Windows team. Here’s how to set up on Windows 8.1…

Connecting Wireless

When connecting your PC to your printer through a wireless connection, you may sometimes need to change the setting of your computer. You will need to…

STEP 1: Select system settings (whether by swiping your screen or via the start option with a mouse), then go to “Change PC Settings”. Once selected, move to step 2.

STEP 2: Click on “PC and Devices”, select the “Devices’ option. Once your printer is installed, you should see it listed on the screen under “Printers”.

STEP 3: However, if your printer is not installed, you may need to select “Add a Device” and manually the devices via selecting the type and model.

Installing a Local Printer

Installing a local printer wirelessly in the sense that you need to…

STEP 1: Open search option from bottom right hand corner and click on Device Settings

STEP 2: Click on PLUS Sign which says Add a device

STEP 3: You’ll see an option like the one below

STEP 4: After the searching is completed you can find your printer and install it.

STEP 5: Clicking next will open the “Install a printer driver” page which will allow you to choose your printer type and model. Once completed, click next.

NB: If your printer does not install correctly, you may need to have Windows update your system and have them installed automatically. If no updates are available and you have the CD which you received with your purchase, you may need to install through that option.

Once you have done all the previous steps, follow all the other onscreen steps in the wizard and then click finish.

How to Install HP Printer Driver in Windows 10

If you are using Windows 10, the first and utmost thing you need to do is ensure you set your device to have Windows update the driver software automatically. Once you are positive that they have been downloaded, you need to…

STEP 1: Click on Start Option on your Windows 10 and then click on Settings

STEP 2: Click on Devices

STEP 3: If you printer have been successfully installed you can find it on the list of printers.

STEP 3: If not then, click on Add a Printer or Scanner

STEP 4: Let the Windows 10 search the drivers for your HP Printer. In case you the Windows can’t find the driver then it’ll give the option ‘The printer that I want isn’t listed’ Click on it.

STEP 5: Select Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings and click on Next

STEP 6: Choose use an existing port LPT1: (Printer Port)

STEP 7: Now from the left side choose the printer manufacturer i.e. HP and from the right choose your model

STEP 8: Next you need to choose the option use the driver that is currently installed (recommended)

STEP 9: Rename the HP Printer if you want to other wise leave it as it is

STEP 10: If you want other people share this printer then choose share this printer option and click on Next or you can choose Do not share this printer.

Step 11: Make sure to check the box ‘Set as Default Printer’ then print test page to confirm the HP printer driver has been successfully installed and you are able to print from your HP printer again.

Once everything is confirmed and done then you need to click on Finish option to complete the driver installation process. We hope these ways has helped you downloading and installing HP printer on Windows 7, 8.1, & 10.

Alternate Method

Once can easily download HP printer latest printer drivers for almost every HP printer from their official website.

Here’s how to do it: –

STEP 1: Open HP Drivers & Software Support Website

STEP 2: Search for your product

STEP 3: Select your product and click on Submit. After that you need to click on Driver-Product Installation Software (1) and after that click on Basic Drivers to expand the option

STEP 4: The final step is to click on Download option to download the driver

Once the download file is complete you need to open and run it in order to install the HP latest drivers into your computer. Follow the on-screen guide to install the drivers and use your HP printer.

Common HP Printer Problems

Printers are generally a thing that knows how to “act up” or malfunction and most times, at the wrong period. HP printer does have a few issues that are faced while using but can easily be corrected with on-screen solutions or a little support from their website. But what are the most common HP Printer issues that users face? These include:

• Paper Jam Issues

Every too often while printing, we get a notification that a paper has been jammed either at the front or back of the printer. It is generally caused by a slight shift of an internal element. To correct this issue, you may need to restart so it runs through when powered on or you may have to lift the front/back cover and pull the paper out.

• Printer Error

This is most times caused by a driver software error or a break in transmission between the connection from your printer to your PC. This issue can be corrected by canceling that print and restart the process. If the issue continues, you may need to seek help from their support team or re-install the device.

• Not Printing Any Document

So many times, when a document is sent to the printer it either falls short of printing or the paper comes blank. This may be a result of technical issues with your system that can most times be fixed without having to consult a technician.