Why won't my printer print with Windows 8?

Question

Why won’t my printer print with Windows 8?
Have you just upgraded, or purchased a new computer with Windows 8, and now you can’t get your printer to work?  If so, this may help you.  A lot of people have questions about installing their printer on a new OS.  This will help you answer those questions and make sure that you get everything installed. 
Before You Start
Before you try to install the printer on a Windows 8 computer, you should check to make sure the printer is compatible with the new OS.  The link below will give you a list of the printers that will work in Windows 8.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c03168175&lc=en&cc=us&destPage=document&dlc=en
If you have upgraded your computer to Windows 8 form another version of Windows, make sure to completely uninstall all of the software for your printer.  It should still print, but to use all the functions you will need to reinstall the software, if it’s available.
Another thing to consider is how you want to connect the printer to the computer. 
USB.  You should make sure that you have a USB cable that is no longer than 6 ft. (roughly 2m).  Make sure to connect the printer directly to the computer.  Do not use a USB hub. 
Ethernet cable.  Make sure you have the network setup, that you have a free cable port on the router, and that you have an Ethernet cable available.
Wireless.  You should make sure that you have the wireless network setup, and that you have the password for the wireless network. 
 1.     Installing Via USB
Installing via USB in Windows 8 has become much simpler for HP printer users.  In other versions of the Windows OS you had to start the installation and wait for it to ask you for the USB connection.  If you didn’t, you would have to uninstall the printer from the Printers/Devices folder, and then start the install.  In Windows 8, that will not be a problem.  If you plug the printer’s USB cable in and then install the printer’s software, it will still work.  Now for in depth instructions on installing the printer via USB click the link below.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c03460670&tmp_task=solveCategory&cc=us&dlc=en&la...
2.     Installing Via an Ethernet Network Connection
For an Ethernet network connected printer the install is amazingly simple.  All you have to do is connect the printer to the network.  Once you have that done, Windows 8 will automatically install the drivers for you.  Then, all you have to do is install the rest of the software, if it’s available.  It’s really that easy.
http://www8.hp.com/us/en/support-drivers.html
3.     Installing Via a Wireless Network Connection.
For a wireless network connected printer the install is amazingly simple as well.  All you have to do is connect the printer to the network.  Once you have that done, Windows 8 will automatically install the drivers for you.  Then, all you have to do is install the rest of the software, if it’s available.  It’s pretty much the same as an Ethernet install, just wireless.
http://www8.hp.com/us/en/support-drivers.html
Alternate Install Methods
With Windows 8, many printers’ drivers are installed with the OS.  These are known as InOS drivers, since they come built into the operating system.  If you have one of those printers, all you should have to do is connect it to the computer via USB, or connect it to the network via Ethernet or wireless.  Once you have that done Windows will handle the rest.  There are alternate methods of installing your printer if the normal methods are not working for some reason.  You can install the printer either using the Printer Install Wizard, or through Windows Updates. 
Printer Install Wizard:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c02681060&tmp_task=solveCategory&cc=us&dlc=en&la...
Windows Update:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c03460648&tmp_task=solveCategory&cc=us&dlc=en&la...
Note: The Laserjet drivers for the Asia-Pacific and Japan won’t be released until a later date.  Check the support site linked below for driver availability.  I will update this post once they become available.
http://www8.hp.com/us/en/support-drivers.html
-------------How do I give Kudos? | How do I mark a post as Solved? --------------------------------------------------------
This question was solved.
View Solution.

Answer 1

Hope this answers some questions.  
-------------How do I give Kudos? | How do I mark a post as Solved? --------------------------------------------------------