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A 'Fatal Error' (MSI error) Displays on the Computer During HP Software Installation in Windows

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Issue

A 'Fatal Error' error message displays on the computer while installing the HP software. Some of these errors are also known as MSI
Microsoft Installer
errors and usually include a four-digit numbered code.
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    Example fatal error messages:
    NOTE:The exact text of the error message varies. Do not worry if your error message does not match these examples.
    • Fatal Error HPZmsi
    • Error 1603: A fatal error occurred during installation
    • Error 1935. Fatal error during installation.
    • MSI.DOT4wrp fatal error, Cannot access…
    • MSI.MSI_BPD_Scan

Workaround

You can work around this issue by installing a basic driver without troubleshooting the error . With the basic driver, the product still prints as usual. However, the product might not have all its extra functionality. For instance, if the product has CD/DVD-printing capability, the product will lose this functionality with a basic driver.
To use the workaround instead of troubleshooting, click the plus sign () for more instructions.
The following steps describe implementing this workaround to use your product now without troubleshooting the error message. This workaround does not resolve the issue , but it does provide a way for you to use your product without further troubleshooting.
  1. If you have not already done so, close the error message window, and then cancel the installation.
  2. Restart the HP software installation, but this time select the Express or Minimal (basic) installation option instead of the Full or Recommended option.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the software installation.
You can now use your product with the basic driver. However, the product might not have full functionality. If you prefer to troubleshoot the error to ensure full functionality, continue with the solutions in this document.
Important : If you have a multi-function printer
A printer that is also capable of scanning, faxing, and/or copying.
, the process for scanning is different with a basic driver. Read or print this document, how to scan without HP software (c02459304 ) (in English), to learn how to scan with the basic driver.

Does your error include a numbered code?

The solutions for a fatal error during installation vary depending on the specific error message that displays on the computer screen. Choose one of the following options according to the issue you are experiencing, and then follow the link to the associated troubleshooting steps.

Step one: Identify the specific numbered code

  1. To identify the specific error message, look closely at the error that displays on your screen and find the numbered code. Usually (but not always), the error code is 4 digits.
    Examples of fatal errors WITH a numbered code
  2. Make a note of the numbered code, and then continue to the next step for appropriate troubleshooting.

Step two: Get troubleshooting for the specific error message

Find your error in the following list, and then click the associated link for the best troubleshooting steps.
  Do not worry if your error message does not match exactly. The numbered code is the most important part of the error message.
  Do not worry if your error message does not match exactly. The numbered code is the most important part of the error message.
  Do not worry if your error message does not match exactly. The numbered code is the most important part of the error message.
  Do not worry if your error message does not match exactly. The numbered code is the most important part of the error message.
  Do not worry if your error message does not match exactly. The numbered code is the most important part of the error message.
  Do not worry if your error message does not match exactly. The numbered code is the most important part of the error message.
  Do not worry if your error message does not match exactly. The numbered code is the most important part of the error message.
  Do not worry if your error message does not match exactly. The numbered code is the most important part of the error message.
If your four-digit code is not listed, try the HP Printer Installation website.
Warranty options
Click here to view additional support options if your HP printer is no longer covered under its standard warranty or an HP Care Pack Service.
If you do not see a 4 digit number with the error, follow these steps to identify the error before proceeding. Identifying the error ensures that you get the best troubleshooting steps for your error.

Step one: Check for fatal errors without a numbered code

Some fatal errors do not have a numbered code. If your error matches any of the following, you do not need to continue identifying the error. Just click the associated link for troubleshooting.
If your error does not match the following (or you already closed the error message), continue to the next step to find the error.

Step two: Find the error code in Event Viewer

If none of the previous errors matched the error you see, or if you already closed the error message window, follow these steps to find the error code in the Event Viewer on your computer. First, select your operating system.
  1. Click Start ( ), and then click Run ( ). The Run window opens.
  2. In the Run window, type eventvwr , and then click OK . The Event Viewer opens.
  3. In the Event Viewer frame (on the left), click Application . The Event Viewer results display in the right pane.
  4. In the right frame in the Source column, find the most recent Error entry from HP .
     Tip: You can click the Source column to sort in alphabetical order to make it easier find the most recent entry from HP. You can also click Date (or any of the other columns) to sort.
  5. Double-click the Error entry. The Event Properties window opens.
  6. Under Description , look for a numbered code. This is the specific error message that you need to troubleshoot.
  7. Make a note of the error code, and then continue to the next step for the appropriate troubleshooting.
If you cannot find the specific error code, or if you cannot find the Error entry from HP, try the HP Printer Installation website.
  1. Click the Windows icon ( ), type Event Viewer in the search box, and then press Enter . The Event Viewer opens.
  2. In the Event Viewer frame (on the left), click Windows logs .
  3. Under Windows logs , click Application . The Event Viewer results display in the middle pane.
  4. In the middle frame in the Source column, find the most recent Error entry from HP .
     Tip: You can click the Source column to sort in alphabetical order to make it easier find the most recent entry from HP. You can also click Date (or any of the other columns) to sort.
  5. Click the Error entry. The error details display in the General tab .
  6. In the General tab , look for a numbered code. This is the specific error message that you need to troubleshoot.
  7. Make a note of the error code, and then continue to the next step for the appropriate troubleshooting.
If you cannot find the specific error code, or if you cannot find the Error entry from HP, try the HP Printer Installation website.
  1. Click the Windows icon ( ), type Event Viewer in the search box, and then press Enter . The Event Viewer opens.
  2. In the Event Viewer frame (on the left), click Windows logs .
  3. Under Windows logs , click Application . The Event Viewer results display in the middle pane.
  4. In the middle frame in the Source column, find the most recent Error entry from HP .
     Tip: You can click the Source column to sort in alphabetical order to make it easier find the most recent entry from HP. You can also click Date (or any of the other columns) to sort.
  5. Click the Error entry. The error details display in the General tab .
  6. In the General tab , look for a numbered code. This is the specific error message that you need to troubleshoot.
  7. Make a note of the error code, and then continue to the next step for the appropriate troubleshooting.
If you cannot find the specific error code, or if you cannot find the Error entry from HP, try the HP Printer Installation website.

Step three: Get troubleshooting for the specific error message

Find your error in the following list, and then click the associated link for the best troubleshooting steps.
  Do not worry if your error message does not match exactly. The numbered code is the most important part of the error message.
  Do not worry if your error message does not match exactly. The numbered code is the most important part of the error message.
  Do not worry if your error message does not match exactly. The numbered code is the most important part of the error message.
  Do not worry if your error message does not match exactly. The numbered code is the most important part of the error message.
  Do not worry if your error message does not match exactly. The numbered code is the most important part of the error message.
  Do not worry if your error message does not match exactly. The numbered code is the most important part of the error message.
  Do not worry if your error message does not match exactly. The numbered code is the most important part of the error message.
  Do not worry if your error message does not match exactly. The numbered code is the most important part of the error message.
If your four-digit code is not listed, try the HP Printer Installation website.
Warranty options
Click here to view additional support options if your HP printer is no longer covered under its standard warranty or an HP Care Pack Service.