HP Printer Blue Screen Error

A “blue screen error” related to an HP printer usually means your Windows computer is crashing (BSOD) when you print or after installing HP printer software. This is frustrating, but it’s almost always a software conflict—typically a corrupted driver, a stuck print spooler, or an update that mismatched the printer’s driver type. The printer itself is rarely the cause. This guide explains the safest way to stop the crashes and reinstall a stable HP driver so printing works normally again.

Common Symptoms

• Windows blue‑screens immediately after clicking Print.
• The PC crashes during HP Smart or full driver installation.
• BSOD appears after a Windows update, even though printing worked before.
• Spooler service keeps restarting or the queue won’t clear.

Step 1: Note the Stop Code

If you can, write down the stop code (for example, APC_INDEX_MISMATCH, IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, or a printer‑related DLL name). It helps confirm the crash is driver‑based. You don’t need to interpret it deeply; the next steps fix the usual root causes.

Step 2: Disconnect the Printer

Unplug USB or turn off the printer’s Wi‑Fi for a moment. This prevents Windows from immediately trying to print or reinstall a broken driver while you clean up the system.

Step 3: Remove the HP Printer From Windows

1. Open Settings > Printers & scanners.
2. Select the HP printer and click Remove.
3. Delete any duplicate HP queues listed there.

Step 4: Uninstall HP Software and Drivers

Go to Settings > Apps and uninstall HP Smart, HP Full Feature Software, and any HP driver entries. Restart the computer afterward. This clears the printer driver stack that may be crashing the system.

Step 5: Reset the Print Spooler

A corrupted spooler can trigger BSOD. Restart it:

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, press Enter.
2. Find Print Spooler and click Restart.
3. If the queue is stuck, stop the service, clear files in C:\\Windows\\System32\\spool\\PRINTERS, then start it again.

Step 6: Install a Fresh, Stable Driver

Download the latest driver directly from HP for your exact model. For many HP business printers, choosing the correct driver type matters:

• PCL6: best general driver for most OfficeJet/laser models.
• PostScript: good for graphics workflows but can be heavier on older systems.
• HP Smart/basic: simplest install and often very stable.

If you previously used a full suite and it caused crashes, try HP Smart or the basic driver first.

Step 7: Reconnect and Add the Printer

Reconnect the printer and add it using HP’s installer. If the printer is networked, add it by its IP address to avoid WSD discovery problems. Print a small test page. If the system remains stable, the issue is resolved.

Fixes for Update‑Related Crashes

If BSOD started after a Windows update:

• Roll back the display/print drivers in Device Manager.
• Install HP’s newest driver to match the updated OS.
• If you’re on an older HP model, use the “previous versions” driver HP provides for Windows 10/11.

Use Print Management to Remove Old HP Drivers

If Windows keeps reinstalling a crashing driver, open Print Management (search it in Start), expand Drivers, and delete older HP entries. Removing stale drivers avoids conflicts from past HP models and forces Windows to accept the fresh driver you install next.

Safe Mode and System Repair

When BSODs are frequent, boot into Safe Mode, uninstall HP drivers there, and reboot normally. If Windows still blue‑screens with no printer installed, run system checks like sfc /scannow and DISM to repair spooler and driver components. A damaged print subsystem can crash regardless of printer brand.

If the Printer’s Own Screen Turns Blue

Very rarely, an HP printer may show a blue or blank front panel after an interrupted firmware update. Power‑cycle the printer and try a firmware recovery through HP Smart or the Embedded Web Server. If the display never returns, HP support may need to reflash firmware.

Check Firmware (Optional)

Firmware is rarely the cause of a Windows BSOD, but a firmware update can fix printer‑side crashes that lead to malformed jobs. Use HP Smart or the Embedded Web Server to check for updates when your system is stable.

When to Seek More Help

If blue screens continue even after a clean driver install, test printing to another printer or to “Microsoft Print to PDF.” If those also crash, Windows itself may be damaged and you should run system file checks or seek OS support. If only the HP printer triggers BSOD, contact HP support with the stop code and driver version you tried.

Removing the old driver stack, resetting the spooler, and reinstalling a clean HP driver resolves the majority of HP printer blue screen errors on Windows.