HP Printer Level 4 Uninstallation

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How to Perform a thorough HP Printer Level 4 Uninstallation and Reinstallation

HP Printer Level 4 UninstallationSome procedures in this document about HP Printer Level 4 Uninstallation requires you have a certain amount of technical knowledge and ability to troubleshoot Windows. It does not cover how to perform micro-procedures.

Examples include knowing how to download and run programs from your internet browser, how to find and browse folders, using the Control Panel, changing Startup Type in Services, and more.

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Problems

  • HP Solution Center cannot run because your device installation is not complete
  • Communication problems between computer and printer
  • .msi Installer Errors and more

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Common Causes

  • .msi errors can happen when the Microsoft Installer is attempting to install more than one program at a time. This can include Windows Updates, startup services, and other installations.
  • Malware infections
  • .NET Framework corruption
  • Adobe Flash Player conflicts
  • File System errors
  • Firewall and/or Router corruption or mis-configuration
  • Using a Registry Cleaner or Registry Fix tool

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Introduction to the Solution

If your computer is infected with malware, remove the malware first before attempting to deal with your printer. Also, if your computer has any other pre-existing conditions that could affect the operation of the printer, I suggest you repair them first as well.

While there are a variety issues that can cause problems with your HP printer software, the procedure below does not address any specific, quick fixes for any of them.

Instead, the procedure below addresses a very thorough removal and custom reinstallation of the HP printer “full solution” software, which should repair most any software problem your printer was experiencing, especially the ones mentioned above.

While it may seem extreme, it is not uncommon for consumers, and even PC Techs to attempt multiple installations, all of which may fail again and again because of a deep underlying problem. You may even be told you will have to reload Windows just to fix your printer problem. If you are up for a challenge and can follow the instructions below, you should be able to get your HP printer working the way it is supposed to.

The first time I went through this procedure, it took me about 4 hours, but now I have it down to about 2 hours. It has worked for me every time so far. Just be sure to take care of any other pre-existing conditions first!

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Preliminary

  • Log into an Administrator account
  • Create a manual System Restore Point and name it “Pre HP Printer Removal”
  • Determine if printer is connected via WiFi, Ethernet or USB
  • If connected via WiFi, check to see if WiFi Indicator on printer is Solid Blue or Blinking
  • If Blinking, check if the Printer’s Wireless settings match the Router’s Wireless settings. Correct any incorrect Wireless settings, and once connected with a Solid Blue light, note the IP Address and Ping it in a working Internet Browser to see if the printer’s Embedded Web Server (EWS) will open.
  • Press and hold the Power button on the printer until it turns off.
  • If connected via USB, disconnect the USB cable from both the printer and the computer.
  • Cancel any pending print jobs in queue.
  • Determine if your printer was originally installed with the HP Printer CD, or a Download from the HP Support website.
  • If installed from a Download, check the %temp% folder for a subfolder named “7zXXXXX” and copy it to the Desktop. (c:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Temp\7zXXXXX), where XXXXX = random characters for each attempted installation via a download. (Example: 7zS2356)
  • Search for the folder that contains a series of batch files named, “uninstall_L1.bat through uninstall_L4.bat”. Note the subfolder location, and copy the entire 7zXXXXX folder to the Desktop.
  • If your printer was originally installed with the HP Printer CD, have the CD handy, as we might need it for the uninstall batch files later.
  • Just to be organized, create a folder on your Desktop named after the printer’s model name (Example: HP Officejet 6500), and Download the latest full solution version of HP Printer software to this folder from: http://www8.hp.com/us/en/drivers.html
  • In case the uninstall batch files above are not available or do not work, download your HP printer’s “Scrubber Utility” and save it to the folder created above.

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Basic Cleanup

  • Run Windows Disk Cleanup
  • I would double-check the cleanup by manually cleaning any remaining files & folders from the following folders
  • c:\Windows\Temp
  • c:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Temp (clean all user profiles)

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HP Printer Level 4 Software Uninstalllation

Note: If you have an HP computer, or any other HP peripherals, do NOT perform a “Level 4 Uninstall” and be very careful about deleting the contents of any HP folders. The computer needs to be restarted after each Level.

  • If you have any other HP peripherals that you no longer use, remove the software for these devices using normal methods from the Control Panel and then restart Windows.
  • Download Scrubber Utility for your printer’s model to the folder you created on the Desktop
  • Perform “Level 3 Uninstall” – or – “Level 4 Uninstall” of HP Printer Software as Necessary from one of the following locations:
  • If installed from a Download: Open the 7zXXXXX you saved on the Desktop earlier, and open the folder that contains the series of batch files, “uninstall_L1.bat through uninstall_L4.bat”
  • If installed from the HP CD: Open the util\CCC directory on the CD
  • If using the Scrubber Utility, run the downloaded file saved earlier to extract files
  • Run uninstall_Lx.bat batch files from one of the locations above.
  • Run uninstall_L1.bat (press Enter when prompted) and Restart Windows when finished.
  • Run uninstall_L2.bat (press Enter when prompted) and Restart Windows when finished.
  • Run uninstall_L3.bat (press Enter when prompted) and Restart Windows when finished.
  • See Note above first: Run uninstall_L4.bat (press Enter when prompted) and Restart Windows when finished.
  • Download and Run Microsoft Fixit tool to remove “Solution Center” installer (if it exists)
  • Clean contents of: C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\ (if it still exists, but skip if you have another HP printer or scanner)
  • In some cases, you may want to delete printer files from the C:\Windows\system32\spool\printer & driver directories.

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Misc Software Removal

As of this writing, many HP Printer software packages come with and older version of Flash Player. Somehow, newer versions of Flash Player may sometimes cause the printer software installation to hang towards the end of the installation, which eventually causes an issue with the HP Solution Center. While the printer may work, you may need a work-around to operate the scanner. This entire procedure specializes in correcting this issue, as well as most any other issue you may have with your printer software.

  • Remove Adobe Flash Player
  • Run .NET Framework Repair Tool – or – .NET Framework Cleanup Tool as Necessary
  • Perform final Disk and Registry cleanup with CCleaner or JetClean (do not install piggy-backed program)

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Preliminary Procedures for HP Printer Software Re-installation

  • Run Windows Updates and install any .NET Framework items and restart Windows as necessary.
  • Temporarily Disable Startup Services with MSCONFIG
  • Open msconfig, select the “Startup” tab, and then click “Disable All” to turn off any programs that start when you turn on the computer.
  • Select the “Services” tab, check the “Hide All Microsoft Services” check box, click “Disable All” , and then click “OK”.
  • Temporarily Disable Windows Update
  • Opens Windows Update in the Start Menu or Control Panel
  • Click “Change settings”
  • Under “Important Updates”, click “Never check for updates”, and then click “OK”.
  • Restart Windows

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HP Printer Software Re-installation

Temporarily Disable Antivirus and Firewall software until after Next Restart

  • Right-Click the Printer installer that was previously downloaded to the Desktop folder named after the printer model, and Run as Administrator.
  • Extract files to the same folder on the Desktop instead of the default location in the AppData Temp folder (This will create a new 7zXXXXX folder).
  • Start a Custom Printer installation and check the boxes for everything except the HP Solutions Center (if it exists)
    • Look for a link that says “Customize Software Selections”(or words to that effect)
    • When complete, run installer again and click “Add More Software” (or words to that effect), and check the box to install the HP Solutions Center (if it exists).
  • When complete, Print a Test Page and open the HP Printer Software (usually the HP Solutions Center).
  • If the Test Page prints and the HP Solutions Center opens successfully, open Services and set “HP CUE Device Discovery” “Startup type” to “Manual” (if service exists)
  • Re-enable Startup Programs with MSCONFIG
    • Open msconfig, select the “General” tab, then click the “Normal Startup” checkbox, and then click “Apply” and “Close”. Exit without Restarting.
  • Re-enable Windows Updates
  • Open Windows Update in the Start Menu or Control Panel
  • Click “Change Settings”
  • Under “Important Updates”, select an option OTHER THAN “Never check for updates”, and then click “OK”.
  • Restart the computer and open HP Solutions Center and print a Test Page again.
  • If it worked, the mission is complete.

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Setting a Static IP Address for HP Network Printers

Setting a static IP address in the HP Network printer’s Embedded Web Server (EWS) Network settings may help to prevent printer communication issues when your router decides to change the IP address assigned to your network printer:

  • Open an internet browser such as Internet Explorer
  • Type the IP address of your printer in the Address Bar and press “Enter” on the keyboard. Assuming you entered the right address, the HP Embedded Web Server (EWS) should appear.
  • Click the “Networking” tab.
  • Under “Connections”, click “Wired”.
  • Under “IP Address Configuration”, click “Manual IP”.
  • Enter the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway in the appropriate boxes and click “Apply”.
    • Manual IP Address: type in the desired IP Address (one not currently in use by any other devices, preferably the one it is already assigned)
    • Manual Subnet Mask, type in: 255.255.255.0
    • Manual Default Gateway, type the Default Gateway for your router (such as 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, or 10.0.0.1)
    • If prompted for the DNS Server address, you will usually enter the same IP address as the Default Gateway, not the external DNS Server address for your ISP.

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Microsoft Windows Installer Issues

  • Unregister and Reregister Microsoft Windows Installer
  • Open a Run box and type “msiexec / unregister”, and then click “OK”.
  • The type “msiexec / regserver”, and then click “OK”.
  • Check the Microsoft Windows Installer Version and Upgrade to Latest Version

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Alternate Methods for Using Scanner without HP Software

If you have a multi-function HP printer, the process for scanning is different with a basic driver or when the HP Software (such as the HP Solutions Center) will not open. Below are some alternate methods for scanning without HP software.

  • Windows Live Photo Gallery
  • Paint
  • Windows Fax and Scan
  • HP Scan and Capture app (Win8)
  • Embedded Web Server (EWS)
  • In order to access the EWS, you will need to know the IP address assigned to your printer on your network, which can then be typed in your Internet Browser’s address bar.

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How to Find your Network Printer’s IP Address

Below are some methods for finding your printer’s IP address (or what it used to be), though options vary by printer.

  • Attempt to print a document and the IP Address should appear in the “Where” row in the Print Dialog Window
  • Observe your Printers Port settings in Device and Printers
  • Press the Wireless button on the printer control panel to view the network settings
  • Access the Network menu on the printer control panel
  • Print a network configuration page or wireless network test page
  • Check your router settings for connected devices
  • Type “arp –a” from a Command Line for a list of IP address (pick IP by trial & error)
  • Type “net view” from a Command Line for a list of device names (pick name by trial & error)
  • Then type “ping printer name” and IP address will be revealed in the Reply

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About the author

Dale Powell Dale Powell is the founder of ComputerAfterCare.com, a training website with a wealth of video tutorials about how to perform preventive maintenance on PCs to make them run faster, more reliably, and to last longer.

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