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HP Deskjet F2480 All-in-One Printer Troubleshooting

Installing the Printer Software in Windows 7 for a USB Cable Connection

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Introduction

This document explains how to install the print driver
A print driver is a software program that allows the computer to run the printer. HP offers a variety of print drivers and software on the CD you received with your printer and the HP website. The available choices vary by printer.
and software for your printer for a USB cable connection. There are several methods available to install the software and driver for your printer, including using the HP Printer Install Wizard, downloading the HP software and driver, using the printer CD and installing the basic driver built into the operating system (in-OS driver).
Click the plus sign () for more information.
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The following information can help you decide which installation method to use.
For a new printer:This program quickly finds and installs the best print driver for your printer.
For an older printer:Using the Printer Install Wizard software provides the best results for your older printer . This program automatically finds and installs the best print driver, meaning you do not need to search the HP website for the correct software.
About the software:The software is available for download from the HP website and is updated on a regular basis.
Don’t worry if you don’t have the product CD! You can download the most current software available for your product from the HP Web site at no cost. The following information might help you decide which installation method to use:
CDDownload
For a new product:CD installation is a quick and easy method.If you do not have a CD, you can download the software you need.
For an older product:CD installation might not work if you are installing the product on a computer running a newer operating system that released AFTER the HP product released.

For example, Windows 7 released in 2009. If HP manufactured your product prior to that year, the CD that came with the product might not work correctly on a computer running Windows 7.		Downloading the software provides the best results for your older product. Even though it takes more time than using the CD, downloading the latest software can help you avoid installation issues.

Downloading is the recommended method if your computer operating system released after the HP product released.
About the software:The software on the CD is current to the date of the product release.The software you can download from the HP Web site is most current software available for your product. HP often updates software and drivers AFTER the product and CD release to the market.
For some printers, Windows 7 comes with a basic in-OS driver built into the operating system. With this basic driver, the buttons on the printer do not function, and some of the advanced printer features are not available. However, workaround procedures allow you to print from a software program. If your printer has a memory card slot, you can also import and view images on a memory card.
The HP Printer Install Wizard finds and installs the best Windows 7 print driver for your printer. To save time, use the wizard instead of the other installation methods in this document.
NOTE:The HP Printer Install Wizard is not available for all printers.
Follow these steps to install and run the HP Printer Install Wizard.
NOTE: Do NOT connect the USB cable now. Wait until the on-screen instructions prompt you to connect it. HP recommends using a USB cable that is less than 3 m (10 ft) long.
Link to toolFile size
HP Printer Install Wizard > 1MB
  1. Click the link to the Printer Install Wizard.
  2. Make sure that your computer meets the system requirements, and then click Download .
  3. When the Security Warning dialog box opens, choose one of the following options to download the wizard.
      Option one: Save the utility (recommended)
      1. In the Security Warning dialog box, click Save .
      2. When the Save As window opens, browse to your Desktop, and then click Save .
      3. When the download is complete, browse to where you saved the file, and then double-click the file to run the utility.
      Option two: Run the utility
      1. In the Security Warning dialog box, click Run .
      2. When the Download Complete dialog box opens, click Run , and then click Run again on the Security Warning dialog box.
  4. When the tool finishes installing, click Finish . The wizard opens automatically.
For more information about the HP Printer Install Wizard, you can review a complete summary of its functions and capabilities.
Learn more!

Using the HP Printer Install Wizard
Follow these steps to download the driver, and then install it.
NOTE: Do NOT connect the USB cable now. Wait until the on-screen instructions prompt you to connect it. HP recommends using a USB cable that is less than 3 m (10 ft) long.

Step one: Download the driver

Video about the different drivers

Watch the following video for information about the differences between a full driver and a basic driver.
If you have trouble viewing the video or to view the video in a different size, click here to play the video on YouTube .
Many products have more than one driver option on the downloads page. Choices might include a Basic type, and Full Feature type. If both options are available, the following information might help you decide which driver to download.
Basic typeFull Feature type
For basic printing: This driver runs the basic print functions of your product only.

If you have an All-in-One, the basic driver does not provide the software needed for most users to copy or fax from the computer, or to use all the scanning features of the All-in-One.

For quick download: The file size is smaller than the Full Feature driver, so it is faster to download and install.		For enhanced printing and full functionality: HP includes valuable software to help you get the most from your product. If you have an All-in-One, this driver provides complete product functionality for printing, scanning, copying, and faxing.

The software varies by product , but here are some examples:

  • Searchable help files tailored to your product
  • Image-editing software
  • HP Solution Center: This important tool helps you establish settings for printing. It also helps you with product maintenance, troubleshooting, software updates, and links to buy supplies.


NOTE: During the Full Feature installation process, you can choose a custom installation, where you select the specific software items that you want to install.
HP recommends the Full Feature type of download, if available, to ensure the best support your product.
Follow these steps to download the product software and save it to your computer.
  1. Disconnect the USB cable from both the product and the computer (if you already connected it).
  2. Turn the product on.
  3. Browse to the Get Software and Drivers page: Get Software and Drivers .
  4. Check the instructions on the page, and then click the Plus sign (+) next to the correct heading for additional instructions:
      If prompted to enter your product in the window .
      1. Type your product number in the window.
      2. Click Next . If necessary click your model in a list of similar products.
      3. Click Software and Driver Downloads .
      4. Click the drop-down arrow ( ), and then click your operating system.
      5. Click Next , and then continue to the next step.
      If prompted to select your operating system .
      1. Click the drop-down arrow ( ), and then click your operating system.
      2. Click Next .
      3. Continue to the next step.
  5. Click the Plus sign ( ) next to Driver , and then click the driver that you want to download. If you need help deciding, see the information in the previous table.
  6. Read through the minimum system requirements and additional instructions. You can also click View directions ( ) for complete download instructions.
  7. Click Download .
  8. If the File Download Security Warning window displays, click Save , and then browse to the location on your computer where you want to save the file.
  9. Click Save . The software downloads to your computer.
    Hint: Make a note of the place that you saved the file, in case you want to install it at a later time.

Step two: Install the driver

Follow these steps to install the driver.
  1. When the download is complete and you are ready to install the files, click Open Folder , and then click the downloaded file. The file name ends in .exe .
    NOTE:If you closed the Download Complete screen, browse to the folder where you saved the .exe file, and then click it.
  2. You can accept the default place to save the files. Click Next , and then wait while the installer extracts the files to prepare for installation.
  3. When the Install Wizard starts, follow the on-screen instructions to install the software.
    For a Full Feature installation, you choose what type of installation you want: Typical (Recommended) or Minimum . The Typical (Recommended) type of installation allows you to get the most out of your printer.
NOTE: Do NOT connect the USB cable now. Wait until the on-screen instructions prompt you to connect it. HP recommends using a USB cable that is less than 3 m (10 ft) long.
Follow these steps to install the software with the printer CD.
  1. Turn the printer on.
  2. Insert the printer CD into the CD drive of the computer, and then wait a few seconds for the software installer to start.
    If the installer does not start automatically, click the Windows icon ( ), click Computer , and then double-click the CD drive.
    NOTE:If the User Account Control screen opens, click Allow to continue.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the software.
    IMPORTANT: The installer might ask if you want to check online for the latest installation updates for your printer. For the best installation results, HP recommends that you click “Yes” to let the installer check for updates and download them for you.
NOTE:The basic in-OS driver is not available for all printers.
When you connect the printer to the computer, Windows 7 detects the hardware and automatically installs the correct driver. A notification lets you know when installation begins and when it is complete. You do not have to download a driver or insert the printer CD.
Follow these steps to install the basic driver in Windows 7.
  1. Turn the printer on.
  2. Connect the USB cable to the printer and to the computer.
  3. A Your devices are ready to use window might display on the screen. If the window displays and does not close automatically, close the window.
Your basic Windows 7 driver is now installed. Some functions might not be available, but you can use the following workaround procedures instead.
The basic driver in Windows 7 is sufficient for printing from a software program, scanning documents, faxing documents, and importing and viewing images on a memory card.
Use these steps to print from a software program.
  1. Open the document to be printed in the software application in which it was created.
  2. Click File , and then click Print .
Video of printing from a software program
Watch the following video for a demonstration of printing from a software program with Windows 7 operating system.
If you have trouble viewing the video or to view the video in a different size, click here to play the video on YouTube .
Use one of the following methods to scan a document.
  1. Click the Windows ( ) icon.
  2. Click All Programs .
  3. Click Windows Fax and Scan .
  4. Click New Scan , and then click Scan .
Video of scanning with Windows Fax and Scanning
The following video demonstrates how to scan with Windows Fax and Scan in Windows 7.
If you have trouble viewing the video or to view the video in a different size, click here to play the video on YouTube.
  1. Click the Windows ( ) icon, click All Programs , and then click Accessories .
  2. Click Paint ( ).
  3. Click the drop-down arrow in the upper-left corner, and then click From Scanner or Camera .
  4. Make sure the correct device is selected, click OK , and then click Scan .
Video of scanning with Paint
The following video demonstrates how to scan with Paint in Windows 7.
If you have trouble viewing the video or to view the video in a different size, click here to play the video on YouTube.
Although you cannot fax a document directly from your computer, you can still fax a printed document from the printer if your printer supports faxing.
  1. Print the document you want to fax.
  2. Place the printout on the flat surface or feeder slot in the same way you would for scanning or copying a document.
  3. Fax the paper version of the document by using the faxing buttons on the control panel of the All-in-One.
If your printer has a memory card slot, follow these steps to access images on a memory card.
  1. Insert the memory card into the appropriate memory card slot on the product.
    NOTE:If the memory card is already inserted, remove it, and then reinsert it.
  2. On the Autoplay window that opens, click Import Pictures , View Pictures , or Open folder to view files .
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Video of importing and viewing images on a memory card
The following video demonstrates how to import and view images on a memory card in Windows 7.
If you have trouble viewing the video or to view the video in a different size, click here to play the video on YouTube.

Experiencing installation errors?

HP Printer Installation
If you experience an error during installation, try the HP Printer Installation website.