Windows compatible driver keeps saying "Needs New Driver"

Modifyinc · October 15, 2021

I've been using a HP LaserJet 5200 with PostScript (PS) on two of my Windows 10 PCs for a while now. I've never had any luck with any of HP's Universal PS drivers, so I have always depended on the compatible drivers provided by Microsoft. Thankfully, they have always worked...until today!

The issue is only with one of my W10 PCs. The status of the printer says "Needs New Driver". Also right clicking the printer now shows a "Update" button. I clicked the update button, and it appeared to act like it was updating, but the same message still persists. Anytime I try to open the properties of the printer, it keeps saying the driver is not installed, would I like to install the driver? Selecting Yes, and selecting the HP LaserJet 5200 PS from the Windows compatible drivers list, it appears to install the driver, but yet, once again I still have the same errors, Needs New Driver and drivers are not installed for this printer. It's like this cycle just keeps repeating itself.

So I finally uninstalled the printer and removed the printer drivers and its package using printui /s. I rebooted the PC and preceded to reinstall the printer again, but this time under the Windows compatible drivers list, the HP LaserJet 5200 PS was not listed. Is this b/c I removed the driver and package earlier? I clicked the Windows Update button and waited for it to update the list. Again, the printer was still not listed. So I'm confused, why is it missing from the list when it was there 30 minutes ago before I removed the printer, and if I did remove it, why didn't it reappear after clicking Windows Update?

I'm sure they keep a database of these compatible drivers they provide. How can I verify if Microsoft is still providing this compatible driver? If they are not, is there anyway I can copy/extract the same drivers from my other Windows 10 PC or do you have any other suggestions?