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HP Photosmart C6380 All-in-One Printer Troubleshooting

Install the Printer Software in Windows RT or Windows 8 on a Tablet

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Introduction

You can easily install the print driver
A print driver is a software program that allows the computer to run the printer.
for your Windows RT
Microsoft's operating system released in 2012 designed to run on devices such as the Microsoft Surface tablet.
or Windows 8 tablet for a USB or a network connection. HP has included a basic print driver for your printer in the Windows RT operating system (called an in-Operating System or in-OS driver), and you can install Full Feature print driver software on a device using the Windows 8 operating system. HP also offers two free Windows Store apps for enhanced printing and scanning functionality.

Install the printer software in Windows RT or Windows 8 on a tablet

Use the following steps to determine your tablet's operating system, and then install the printer software.
Click the plus sign () for more information.
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About the driver:Available in the Windows RT and Windows 8 operating systems, this driver provides basic printer functionality. It automatically installs the most current driver when the printer is connected to the tablet with a USB cable or is detected on the network.
What can I do with the in-OS driver?Perform basic printing tasks from apps such as Internet Explorer and Microsoft Office. Scan from Desktop apps such as Paint.
Will I lose any functionality with this driver?Some of the buttons on the printer do not function and some of the advanced printer features are not available when compared to a full feature driver you might have used with a Windows tablet.
About the driver:Available in the Windows 8 operating system, this driver provides full printer functionality. HP includes valuable software to help you get the most from your printer. If you have an All-in-One, this driver provides complete printer functionality for printing, scanning, copying, and faxing.
What can I do with a Full Feature driver?With the software included in a full feature driver, you can edit images, scan editable text, and troubleshoot printer problems with the HP interface.
Will I lose any functionality with this driver?You will not lose any functionality with this driver.
HP Printer Control app: Provides helpful tools to manage your printer, including checking estimated ink levels, product support links, and convenient shopping for supplies.
HP Scan and Capture app: Easily scan documents and photos with supported networked printers in a friendly user interface.

Click here for a list of printers that support the HP Scan and Capture app .
How do I get these apps? Visit the Windows Store, and search for HP to find and install the apps.

Step one: Determine your operating system

Follow these steps to determine which operating system is installed on your tablet.
  1. Swipe from the right side of the touchscreen, or move the mouse cursor to the lower-right or upper-right corner of the screen to open the Charms bar.
  2. Click or tap Search ( ).
  3. Click or tap Settings ( ).
  4. Type System in the Search box, and then click or tap System in the results.
  5. Locate the Windows edition in the window.
    • If your Windows edition is Windows RT , continue to the Windows RT section in this document.
    • If your Windows edition is Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro , continue to the Windows 8 section in this document.

Step two: Install the software

Click the plus sign () next to your operating system for more information.
Here are some simple installation steps to get you printing right away. Select your connection type below. Choose the wired (Ethernet) or wireless connection option if you are installing a network-connected printer, or choose USB connection if you plan to connect the printer to the tablet with a USB cable.
Turn the printer on, and then make sure that it is connected to the network. Windows RT detects the printer on the network and then installs the in-OS driver.
What if the network installation did not begin automatically?
If the installation does not begin automatically, follow these steps to add the printer in Devices and Printers .
  1. Swipe from the right side of the touchscreen, or move the mouse cursor to the lower-right or upper-right corner of the screen to open the Charms bar.
  2. Click or tap Search ( ).
  3. Click or tap Settings ( ).
  4. Type Devices and printers in the search box, and then click or tap Devices and Printers in the results.
  5. Click or tap Add a printer . The device searches for available printers.
  6. Select your printer, and then click or tap Next .
  7. Wait while Windows RT detects the printer on the network and installs the in-OS driver.
  8. After the installation completes, the Add Printer window displays. Either accept the default printer name or rename it, and then click or tap Next .
  9. Choose whether to share the printer over the network, and then click or tap Next .
  10. Choose whether to set the printer as the default printer, and then click or tap Finish .
  1. Turn the printer on.
  2. Connect the USB cable to the printer and to the device. Windows RT automatically installs the in-OS driver for the printer.
What if the USB installation did not begin automatically?
If the installation did not begin automatically, follow these steps to add the printer in Devices and Printers .
  1. Make sure that the printer is turned on and that it is connected to the device with the USB cable.
  2. Swipe from the right side of the touchscreen, or move the mouse cursor to the lower or upper-right corner of the screen to open the Charms bar.
  3. Click or tap Search ( ).
  4. Click or tap Settings ( ).
  5. Type Devices and printers in the search box, and then click or tap Devices and Printers in the results.
  6. Click or tap Add a printer . The device searches for available printers.
  7. Select your printer, and then click or tap Next .
  8. Wait while Windows RT detects the printer on the network and installs the in-OS driver.
  9. After the installation completes, the Add Printer window displays. Either accept the default printer name or rename it, and then click or tap Next .
  10. Choose whether to set the printer as the default printer, and then click or tap Finish .
Windows 8 supports both full feature and in-OS drivers. Select one of the following methods to install the driver on your tablet.
The HP Printer Install Wizard quickly and easily finds the best Windows 8 print driver for your printer. To save time, try using this automated tool instead of the other installation methods in this document. You can use this tool for wired, wireless, and USB connections.
What does the Printer Install Wizard do?
Following are some common installation problems that the HP Printer Install Wizard can help with:
  • You cannot find your driver for Windows 8
  • You need help using your HP printer in the same way you used it with your old Windows operating system
  • You are not sure which driver you should select
NOTE:The HP Printer Install Wizard is not available for all printers. This wizard is available only for Windows 8 and Windows 7 operating systems.The HP Printer Install Wizard works with printers connected with a USB cable or with a wired (Ethernet) or wireless network connection. If you would like to connect your printer wirelessly, but it is not yet on a wireless network, you need to temporarily connect the printer with a USB cable to run the wizard.
Step one: Download the wizard
  1. Click or tap the following link to download the wizard:
    Link to wizardFile size
      HP Printer Install Wizard > 2MB
  2. Make sure that your tablet meets the system requirements, and then click or tap Download .
  3. Check to see if the Security Warning dialog box opens, and then click or tap the Plus sign ( ) next to the corresponding option:
      If the Security Warning dialog box opens
      When the Security Warning dialog box opens, choose one of the following methods to download the wizard.
        Method one: Run the utility
        1. In the Security Warning dialog box, click or tap Run .
        2. When the Download Complete dialog box opens, click or tap Run , and then click or tap Run again on the Security Warning dialog box.
        Method two: Save the utility
        1. In the Security Warning dialog box, click or tap Save .
        2. When the Save As window opens, browse to your Desktop, and then click or tap Save .
        3. When the download is complete, browse to where you saved the file, and then double-click or double-tap the file to install the utility.
      If the Security Warning dialog box does not open
      1. Click or tap Run in the Notification bar to download the software.
      2. Click or tap Yes in the User Account Control window.
    When the wizard finishes installing, the wizard opens automatically.
    Figure 1: Example of the Printer Install Wizard window
    Image: Example of the Printer Install Wizard window
Step two: Run the HP Printer Install Wizard
  1. Press the Power button to turn on the printer, if it is not already on.
  2. Connect the USB cable to the HP printer and to the tablet, if it is not already connected to the tablet or the network.
  3. Make sure that your tablet has an Internet connection. The wizard must access the Internet to work correctly.
  4. Click or tap Next to begin the utility. The wizard displays a list of detected products.
  5. If the wizard detects more than one printer, select your HP printer from the list.
  6. The wizard automatically displays the best available driver for your HP printer.
    • If a full feature driver is available , the wizard detects it. Click or tap Next to download and install the software. For full functionality, HP recommends installing the full feature driver if it is available.
        What is a full feature driver?
        This installation provides full product functionality. HP also includes valuable software to help you get the most out of your printer.
    • If an in-Operating System (in-OS) driver is available , the wizard explains that the driver is already installed. It also supplies a link to more information about using the in-OS driver with your printer.
        What is an in-OS driver?
        An in-OS driver is a basic driver that is already included in the operating system. You do not need to download or install any software from HP.
    • If a Windows Update driver is available , the wizard explains that the driver is already installed. It will also supply a link to more information about using a Windows Update driver.
        What is a Windows Update driver?
        When you connect the USB cable to the printer, and then to the tablet, or Windows 8 detects that the printer is on the same network as the PC, Windows activates Windows Update. Windows Update searches online for the most recent printer driver on the Windows Update site. If the online driver is more recent than the driver stored in Windows, the tablet downloads and installs the updated driver. The Windows Update process takes place automatically.
Follow these steps to download the software, and then install it.
Step one: Download the software
Follow these steps to download the software from the HP website.
NOTE:If you are installing the software using a USB cable, and you previously connected the USB cable, right-click or tap and hold the bottom left corner of the screen, click or tap Search , click or tap Settings , type printers in the Search box, click or tap Devices and printers , and then delete any icons for your printer ( ) that might be listed.
  1. Disconnect the USB cable from both the printer and the tablet (if you already connected it). If the printer is connected to a network, leave it connected.
  2. Turn the printer on.
  3. Browse to the Get Software and Drivers page: Get Software and Drivers .
  4. Check the instructions on the page, and then click or tap the Plus sign ( ) next to the correct heading for additional instructions:
      If prompted to enter your printer in the window
      1. Type your printer model in the window.
      2. Click or tap Next . If necessary select your model in a list of similar printers.
      3. Click or tap Software and Driver Downloads .
      4. Click or tap the drop-down arrow ( ), and then click or tap your operating system.
      5. Click or tap Next , and then continue to the next step.
      If prompted to select your operating system
      1. Click or tap the drop-down arrow ( ), and then click or tap your operating system.
      2. Click or tap Next , and then continue to the next step.
  5. Click or tap the Plus sign next to Driver , and then click or tap the driver that you want to download.
  6. Read through the minimum system requirements and additional instructions. You can also click or tap View directions ( ) for complete download instructions.
  7. Click or tap Download .
  8. Click or tap Save in the Notification bar to download the software.
    NOTE:The software file automatically saves to the Downloads folder on your tablet. If you want to install it at a later time, right-click or tap and hold the bottom left corner of the screen, click or tap File Explorer , and then click or tap Downloads to access the file.
Step two: Install the software
Follow these steps to install the downloaded software.
  1. When the download completes, click or tap Run in the Notification bar.
    NOTE:If you closed the Notification bar after the download completed, right-click or tap and hold the bottom left corner of the screen, click or tap File Explorer , and then click or tap Downloads . Find the name of the HP software file, and then double-click or double-tap the file.
  2. Click or tap Yes in the User Account Control window, and then wait while the installer extracts the files.
  3. When the Install Wizard starts, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
  1. Turn the printer on, and then make sure that it is connected to the network.
  2. Wait while Windows 8 detects the printer on the network and installs the in-OS driver.
What if the network installation did not begin automatically?
If the installation did not begin automatically, follow these steps to add the printer in Devices and Printers .
  1. Swipe from the right side of the touchscreen, or move the mouse cursor to the lower or upper-right corner of the screen to open the Charms bar.
  2. Click or tap Search ( ).
  3. Click or tap Settings ( ).
  4. Type Devices and printers in the Search box, and then click or tap Devices and Printers in the results.
  5. Click or tap Add a printer . The device searches for available printers.
  6. Select your printer, and then click or tap Next .
  7. Wait while Windows 8 detects the printer on the network and installs the in-OS driver.
  8. After the installation completes, the Add Printer window displays. Either accept the default printer name or rename it, and then click or tap Next .
  9. Choose whether to share the printer over the network, and then click or tap Next .
  10. Choose whether to set the printer as the default printer, and then click or tap Finish .
  1. Turn the printer on.
  2. Connect the USB cable to the printer and to the device. Windows 8 automatically installs the in-OS driver for the printer.
What if the USB installation did not begin automatically?
If the installation did not begin automatically, follow these steps to add the printer in Devices and Printers .
  1. Make sure that the printer is turned on and that it is connected to the device with the USB cable.
  2. Swipe from the right side of the touchscreen, or move the mouse cursor to the lower-right or upper-right corner of the screen to open the Charms bar.
  3. Click or tap Search ( ).
  4. Click or tap Settings ( ).
  5. Type Devices and printers in the Search box, and then click or tap Devices and Printers in the results.
  6. Click or tap Add a printer . The device searches for available printers.
  7. Select your printer, and then click or tap Next .
  8. Windows automatically detects your printer model and then installs the correct driver.
  9. After the installation completes, the Add Printer window displays. Either accept the default printer name or rename it, and then click or tap Next .
  10. Choose whether to set the printer as the default printer, and then click or tap Finish .

Step three: Install the HP apps for network-installed printers (optional)

NOTE:Your printer must connect to a wired (Ethernet) or wireless network to use the HP Printer Control app and the HP Scan and Capture app in Windows RT or Windows 8. These apps are not supported for all HP printers.
  1. From the Start screen, click or tap Store .
  2. Swipe from the right side of the touchscreen, or move the mouse cursor to the lower or upper-right corner of the screen to open the Charms bar.
  3. Click or tap Search ( ), type HP in the search text box, and then click or tap Search . The HP Printer Control and HP Scan and Capture apps display in the results.
  4. Click or tap one of the apps, and then click or tap Install to install it. Repeat this step to install the other app.
See what other customers are saying at HP Consumer Forums .