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I am a computer professional. I was in IBM (don’t hold that against me!) for 19 years and have done consulting for 20 years since I left IBM. Now to the problem.
Windows 7 Professional – 64 bit.
All Windows updates are current.
In the Devices and Printers screen my computer has the yellow triangle with the exclamation point.
Right click Computer > Troubleshoot.
Pop-up stating:
Detecting Problems
Gathering information about your devices …
Checking for missing driver …
Then a new screen stating:
Enable this device
Enable OfficeJet Pro 8500 A909n. (My comment. The printer is installed and working perfectly!)
(green arrow) Apply this fix
(green arrow) Skip this fix
When I click Apply this fix, it says:
“Resolving problems”
Then it says:
Install a driver for this device
The driver for OfficeJet Pro 8500 A909n is not installed. Install the latest driver for the device.
(green arrow) Apply this fix
(green arrow) Skip this fix
When I try to apply this fix, it keeps coming back to this same screen saying I need to apply this fix.
I eventually click ‘Skip this fix’ and it still keeps coming back to this screen.
I eventually click the Cancel button.
NOW the printer is NOT in the Devices and Printers screen! The software, attempting to ‘install’ the drivers for my printer actually uninstalled it!
Oh, by the way, before I started this troubleshooting, I had:
1) Installed the printer using HP software and it works perfectly.
2) Used the printer for several months with no problems at all.
So, when I went to the Devices and Printer screen to check on another printer I have on the computer, I saw the exclamation point on the computer.
Remember, all this time, my printer has been installed and working perfectly … until I try to ‘Apply this fix’ in one of the previous screens. Then it gets uninstalled!!
I had to re-install the printer with the HP software to get it working correctly.
Help!
What is going on?
How do I get rid of the exclamation point on my computer in the Devices and Printers screen?
Jim Guess
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
Hi Jim,
I suggest you to send us the Event Viewer logs to get more information about the issue.
You can refer to the link to check information related to Event Viewer logs:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-in/windows7/what-information-appears-in-event-logs-event-viewer
Please get back to us with the required information in order to troubleshoot the issue further.
Uninstalling and reinstalling the printer was my first attempt months ago.
I have done it several times to no avail.
I also have done the clean boot before and I just did it again. The yellow triangle is still there in clean boot mode.
I personally think there is a problem with Windows 7 that Microsoft refuses to accept and/or attempt to solve.
The problem still exists.
Thanks for trying. Please escalate this problem to a higher level.
Hi Jim,
You might be facing this issue due to the conflict between printer software and other software installed on the computer. So I suggest you to uninstall the printer software once and reinstall it again and check if it helps.
Method 1 :
I suggest you to uninstall the printer driver and reinstall it.
To uninstall Printer Driver:
a) Press Windows Key + R, type Control Panel.
b) Click on Programs.
c) Click onPrograms and features, click on uninstall a program.
d) Right click on the Printer, click on Uninstall.
You can follow the link mentioned below to download the latest driver for the device.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareCategory?cc=us&lc=en&product=3752456
Method 2:
If the issue persists, Is suggest you to place the computer in a clean boot and check if it helps.. Clean boot will help you to avoid software conflicts.
How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7, Windows 8:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135
Note: After you have finished troubleshooting, follow steps under “How to reset the computer to start as usual after troubleshooting with clean boot” in the article to boot to normal startup.
Hope this helps.
Please post back with the status of the issue and we will be glad to assist you further.
Karthik,
Please go back and carefully read my post.
Here is a screen shot of my Devices and Printers.
And when I right click the WINDOW7PC icon, then click Troubleshoot, I get this screen - after diagnostics.
Please note that it says the driver for the printer is not installed.
However, the printer drivers and software from HP are perfectly installed and the printer works just fine.
Windows 7 Devices and Printers software is confused. It keeps thinking there is a problem with my printer when there is no problem with my printer.
Hi Jim,
If you get a yellow exclamation mark on the printer driver that means the driver for the printer is outdated or corrupted. I suggest you to uninstall the printer driver from the computer and reinstall it again and check if it helps.
Method 1:
I suggest you to install he latest driver for the printer form the manufacturers website and check if it helps. You can follow the link mentioned below to download the latest driver for the device.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareCategory?cc=us&lc=en&product=3752456
Method 2 :
****If the issue still persists I suggest you to follow the article mentioned below.
To troubleshoot printer problems:
Fix printer problems
Hope this helps.
Please post back with the status of the issue and we will be glad to assist you further.
