How to Fix HP Smart Printer Driver Not Working?

HP Smart printers have revolutionized the way we print, offering easy connectivity, cloud-based features, and mobile printing capabilities. However, like any technology, issues can arise, particularly when it comes to the printer driver not functioning correctly. If you're encountering problems with the HP Smart printer driver not working, it can hinder your ability to print documents, scan files, or access certain printer functionalities. Fortunately, there are several ways to troubleshoot and resolve these issues. Below is a detailed guide on how to fix your HP Smart printer driver.

1. Ensure Proper Printer Connection

Before delving into more advanced troubleshooting methods, it's always a good idea to check the connection between your printer and computer or network. Printer connection issues can often cause the driver to malfunction. Here’s how you can ensure the connection is secure:

• For USB Connection: Ensure the USB cable is properly connected to both the printer and the computer. If possible, try using a different USB port or cable to rule out the possibility of a faulty connection.
  
  

• For Wireless Connection: Make sure your printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer or mobile device. A weak or intermittent Wi-Fi connection can lead to issues with the HP Smart app and driver, causing the printer not to be detected.
  
  

2. Restart Your Printer and Computer

A simple restart of both your printer and computer can often resolve minor glitches and restore proper communication between the devices. Power down your printer and computer, wait for about 30 seconds to a minute, and then turn them back on. This process helps refresh both the printer's software and the computer's connection to the printer.

3. Update or Reinstall HP Smart Printer Driver

One of the most common causes for HP Smart printer drivers not working is outdated or corrupted drivers. In such cases, you may need to update or reinstall the driver to restore proper functionality.

Updating the Driver:

1. Open the Device Manager on your computer. You can search for it in the Start menu.
   
   

2. Under the “Printers” section, locate your HP Smart printer.
   
   

3. Right-click on the printer and select Update Driver.
   
   

4. Choose the option to search for updated drivers automatically. If a new driver is found, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
   
   

Reinstalling the Driver:

1. Go to the Control Panel and select Devices and Printers.
   
   

2. Right-click on your HP Smart printer and choose Remove device.
   
   

3. After removing the printer, visit the HP website to download the latest version of the HP Smart app and printer driver for your operating system.
   
   

4. Once the driver is downloaded, follow the installation instructions to reinstall it.
   
   

5. Restart your computer once the installation is complete to ensure the driver is properly configured.
   
   

By updating or reinstalling the driver, you can resolve any corruption or compatibility issues that may be affecting the performance of your HP Smart printer.

4. Run the HP Print and Scan Doctor

HP provides a dedicated troubleshooting tool called the HP Print and Scan Doctor, which can automatically detect and fix issues related to the printer, including driver problems. This tool is designed to resolve common issues, such as printer not responding or being unable to print.

To use HP Print and Scan Doctor:

1. Download and install the tool from the HP support website.
   
   

2. Launch the tool and select your HP Smart printer from the list of available devices.
   
   

3. Follow the on-screen instructions to run the diagnostic process. The tool will attempt to automatically fix any detected issues with your printer or its driver.
   
   

Using this tool can save you time and effort by quickly addressing driver-related problems and ensuring your HP Smart printer is functioning as expected.

5. Check Windows or macOS Updates

Sometimes, printer driver issues arise due to incompatibilities between your operating system and the driver. Ensuring that your operating system is up to date can help resolve many printer-related problems, including those with the HP Smart driver.

• For Windows:
  
  

  1. Open the Settings menu and go to Update & Security.
     
     

  2. Click on Check for updates.
     
     

  3. Install any available updates and restart your computer.
     
     

• For macOS:
  
  

  1. Click on the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
     
     

  2. Go to Software Update.
     
     

  3. If updates are available, click Update Now and restart your computer after installation.
     
     

Updating your system ensures that you have the latest patches, which may include fixes for printer driver issues.

6. Reset the Printer’s Network Settings

If you're using a wireless HP Smart printer, network connection problems can sometimes prevent the printer driver from working properly. In such cases, resetting the printer's network settings and reconnecting it to the Wi-Fi network can solve the issue.

To reset the network settings on most HP printers:

1. On the printer's control panel, go to the Wireless or Network settings menu.
   
   

2. Look for an option to Restore Network Defaults or Reset Network Settings.
   
   

3. Confirm the reset and wait for the printer to reboot.
   
   

4. After the reset, reconnect your printer to the Wi-Fi network using the printer’s control panel or the HP Smart app.
   
   

Once the printer is reconnected, check if the driver is now working.

7. Clear the Print Queue

If print jobs are stuck in the queue, they can prevent new documents from printing and cause the printer driver to stop functioning correctly. Clearing the print queue is an easy way to resolve this issue.

To clear the print queue:

1. Open the Control Panel on Windows and navigate to Devices and Printers.
   
   

2. Right-click on your HP Smart printer and select See what’s printing.
   
   

3. In the print queue window, click on Printer in the menu bar and select Cancel All Documents.
   
   

4. Restart both your computer and printer to clear any lingering issues.
   
   

8. Ensure HP Smart App is Up to Date

If you're using the HP Smart app to manage your printer, make sure the app is updated to the latest version. Sometimes, an outdated app can cause compatibility issues with the printer driver.

• For Windows: Open the Microsoft Store, search for HP Smart, and check if there’s an update available.
  
  

• For macOS: Go to the App Store, search for HP Smart, and update it if necessary.
  
  

• For Mobile Devices: Head to the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android), search for HP Smart, and install any updates.
  
  

An updated version of the HP Smart app can resolve bugs and improve functionality, including addressing issues with the driver.

9. Contact HP Support

If you've tried all the above steps and your HP Smart printer driver is still not working, there could be an underlying issue that requires professional assistance. HP offers technical support services that can help you diagnose and resolve more complex problems with the driver or printer.

Conclusion

Issues with an HP Smart printer driver can be frustrating, but with the right troubleshooting steps, most problems can be resolved relatively easily. Whether it’s updating or reinstalling the driver, checking for system updates, or resetting network settings, there are many ways to fix the driver and get your printer working again. If all else fails, using HP’s Print and Scan Doctor or contacting customer support can offer additional assistance.