This article will guide you on how to fix the HP printer setup failed to complete error that appears during an HP printer setup via USB installation on Windows and Android.
Table of Contents
HP Printer Setup Failed to Complete [Reasons]
The following are the reasons responsible for the HP printer setup failed to complete error:
i. An issue affecting the USB connection.
ii. Certain browser plugins/toolbars, malware, and viruses might interfere with the installation of your HP printer software.
Ensure that your computer is protected with a reliable antivirus program and does not have malware or viruses. You should also ensure that your PC is up-to-date.
iii. In some cases, Windows automatically tries to find and also install an OS driver on your HP printer when it is connected via a USB cord to your Windows computer. If the OS driver is unavailable, it might cause the HP printer setup failed to complete error.
iv. When you install the HP full feature printer software on your Windows computer, during a point in the installation, you will get a prompt asking for a USB connection into your computer. If you plug the USB cable into your computer before the prompt, you might get the HP printer setup failed to complete error.
HP Printer Setup Failed to Complete on Windows [Solutions]
Do the following solutions to fix the HP printer setup failed to complete error. After trying each solution, try to set up your HP printer again before trying the next solution.
1. Unplug and then Plug in the USB Cord
To unplug and then plug in the USB cord, do the following steps:
Step 1: Unplug the USB cord from your HP printer’s USB port.
For most printers, this port is usually at the back.
Step 2: Unplug the USB cord from your computer’s port.
Step 3: Wait for about 5 seconds.
Step 4: Plug the USB cord back into your HP printer.
Ensure that the cord is well-secured.
Step 5: Plug the USB cord back into your computer.
Ensure that the cord is well-secured.
Step 6: Ensure that you connect the USB cord correctly.
Step 7: Try to set up your HP printer again.
If you still get the HP printer setup failed to complete error, move to the next solution.
2. Examine the Connection
How to Examine the Connection if your HP Printer is connected directly to your Computer via the USB Cord
Do the following to examine the connection if your HP printer is connected directly to your computer via a USB cord:
Step 1: Plug the USB cord into a different USB port on your computer.
Step 2: Restart your computer.
Step 3: Restart your HP printer.
Step 4: Try to set up your printer again.
In the event that the HP printer setup failed to complete error still displays, do the next solution.
How to Examine the Connection if your HP Printer is connected to your Computer via a Docking Station or USB Hub
Do the following to examine the connection if your HP printer is connected to your computer via a docking station or USB hub:
Step 1: Unplug the USB cord from the docking station or USB hub.
Step 2: Plug the USB cord directly into your computer.
Step 3: Restart your computer.
Step 4: Restart your HP printer.
Step 5: Try to set up your printer again.
In case the HP printer setup completes while connected directly to your computer via the USB cord, then the docking station or USB hub might be faulty. Therefore, you can choose to leave it that way or get in touch with the docking station or USB hub manufacturer to provide you with troubleshooting.
If the HP printer setup failed to complete error is not resolved, move on to the next solution.
3. Use another USB Cord
To confirm if the issue is with the USB cord, you have to use another USB cord. The replacement USB cord you choose should be less than 9 ft. 10 in. (3 meters).
Try the setup again.
If the HP printer setup failed to complete error message still appears after using another USB cord, do the next solution.
4. Remove Other USB Devices Connected to your Computer
If other USB devices are connected to your computer, it might be over-demanding on your computer to expend the required energy to discover all the connected USB devices.
Therefore, you have to disconnect all the devices (except your printer, keyboard, and mouse) connected to the USB ports on your computer.
After removing the other devices, try to set up your HP printer again.
If this solution works, HP recommends that a powered hub be used for multiple devices connected to your computer to enable your HP printer to receive sufficient power transfer and signal from your computer.
5. Reset your HP Printer
To reset your HP printer, do the following steps:
Step 1: Turn on your HP printer.
Step 2: Unplug your printer’s power cable from your HP printer.
Step 3: Unplug your printer’s power cable from the electric wall outlet or any other power source you connected it to.
Reminder: HP recommends that you plug your HP printer straight into an electric wall outlet.
- In the event your HP printer setup continues automatically and gets completed, then the HP printer setup failed to complete error has been resolved. Therefore, you don’t have to try further solutions.
- If your HP printer setup does not continue automatically, begin the setup process from the beginning.
- If the HP printer setup failed to complete issue persists, do the next solution.
We recommend that you read this article: How to Reset HP Printer [Detailed Guide]where we discuss other resets that you can perform on your HP printer.
6. Refresh Windows Device Manager
To refresh Windows Device Manager, do the following steps:
Step 1: On your Windows computer, search for “Device manager”.
Step 2: Click on “Device Manager” from the search results.
Step 3: Click on the Right arrow beside the entries below to expand the entries. Search for your HP printer in those lists:
i. Printers
ii. Print queues
iii. Other devices
iv. Universal Serial Bus controllers
- If a yellow exclamation symbol or “Unknown device” message is beside your HP printer, do step 4.
- If there is no yellow exclamation symbol or “Unknown device” message beside your HP printer, move to the next solution.
Step 4: Right-click on the entry with the yellow exclamation mark symbol or that with the “HP device/Unknown device”.
Step 5: Click on “Update Driver Software”.
This action will open this wizard: “Update Driver Software – Unknown Device”.
Step 6: Click on “Search automatically for updated driver software”.
Step 7: Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the device manager refresh.
Step 8: Repeat the above steps for the device entries that have the yellow exclamation mark symbol.
If refreshing the Device Manager clears the HP printer setup failed to complete error message, then you don’t need to do the next solution.
However, if the error message is still displayed, do the next solution.
7. Uninstall your HP Print Driver & Software Applications
In some cases, partially installed HP printer software and driver on your PC might cause the HP printer setup failed to complete issue. In such a situation, you need to remove all the HP software and driver on your computer.
How to Uninstall HP Printer Software and Driver
To uninstall your HP printer software and driver, do these steps:
Step 1: Unplug the USB cord from your HP printer if it is plugged in.
Step 2: Search for “Control Panel” on your Windows computer.
Step 3: Click on “Control Panel” from the search results to open it.
Step 4: Click on “Programs and Features”.
Step 5: Click on the name of your HP printer in the programs list.
Step 6: Click on “Yes” or “Uninstall”.
Step 7: Follow the instructions on the screen to complete your HP printer software and driver removal.
Step 8: Restart your computer.
We recommend that you watch the video below:
8. Remove the Unnecessary Files on your Computer
To remove the unnecessary files on your computer, do these steps:
Step 1: Search for “Disk cleanup” on your Windows computer.
Step 2: Click on “Free up disk space by deleting unnecessary files” from the search results to open the tool.
Step 3: Click on “C: drive”.
Step 4: Allow the Disk Cleanup tool to scan your computer and then display the files that you should delete.
9. Disable Background Programs
To disable background programs, do the following steps:
Step 1: Search for “msconfig” on your Windows computer.
Step 2: Click on “msconfig.exe” from the search results.
Click on “Continue” if you see this window prompt message: “Windows needs your permission to continue”. When you do that, the window message will close.
Step 3: Click on the tab labeled “General” in the window for “System Configuration”.
Step 4: Click on the option button next to “Selective Startup”.
Step 5: Click on the box beside “Load startup items”. This will get rid of the checkmark.
Step 6: Click on the tab labeled “Services”.
Step 7: Click on the checkbox for “Hide all Microsoft services”.
Step 8: Click on “Disable All”.
Warning: Microsoft Services should not be disabled.
Step 9: Click on “Apply”.
Step 10: Click on “OK”.
Step 11: When you get a prompt to restart your PC, click on “Restart”.
Step 12: When this message: “System Configuration Utility” is displayed after your computer restarts, click the checkbox for “Do not show this message again”, before clicking “OK”.
10. Reinstall HP Printer Software and Driver
To reinstall your HP printer software and driver, do the following steps:
Step 1: Turn your HP printer on.
Step 2: Unplug the USB cord from your HP printer if plugged in.
You will get a prompt by your printer software installation to plug it in when needed.
Step 3: Visit https://support.hp.com/redirect/hub/s-002
Step 4: If this page: “Let’s identify your product to get started” is displayed, click on “Printer”.
Step 5: Type the model number of your HP printer.
Step 6: Click on “Submit”
Step 7: If you want to change your windows OS, click on “Change”, and then choose the version you want before clicking “Change”.
Step 8: Go to the heading labeled “Driver”, and then click on “Download”: This option will give you the full software package which is most recommended.
Alternatively, you can click on “Basic Drivers”: This option will give you driver options you can choose from.
11. Turn on Startup Programs
To turn on startup programs, do these steps after reinstalling your HP printer software and drivers:
Step 1: Search for “msconfig” on your Windows computer.
Step 2: Click on “msconfig.exe” from the search results.
Click on “Continue” if you see this window prompt message: “Windows needs your permission to continue”. When you do that, the window message will close.
Step 3: Click on the option button next to “Normal Setup” in the System Configuration window.
Step 4: Click on “Apply”.
Step 5: Click on “OK”.
Step 6: When you get a prompt to restart your PC, click on “Restart”.
If the above steps resolve the HP printer failed to complete error, don’t troubleshoot further.
12. Service your HP Printer
If none of the solutions we have shared so far fixed the HP printer failed to complete issue, then you have to service your HP printer. Since you can’t do this yourself especially if your printer is still under warranty, you need to contact HP Customer Support. You can then schedule a date for the repair or if the product cannot be fixed a replacement.
Note that the repair fee and replacement are free if your HP printer is still under warranty. For products that are out of warranty, you will have to pay the repair fee.
If you want to perform your HP printer setup without Wi-Fi, you can use the instructions we have shared so far to do this.
In this article: HP Printer Setup [How To, Issues & Solutions], we discuss other HP printer setups and issues not covered in this article.
HP Printer Setup Failed to Complete on Android via HP Smart App [Solutions]
If your HP printer setup fails to complete when using the HP Smart app, follow the instructions below depending on your printer’s control panel type.
How to Fix HP Printer Setup Failed to Complete on Android
HP Touchscreen Control Panel Printers
Do the following steps to fix the problem if your HP printer fails to complete on Android:
Step 1: Go to your HP printer’s control panel.
Step 2: Touch the icon for “Wireless”.
Step 3: Touch the icon for “Settings”.
Step 4: Touch the “Wireless Setup Wizard” option.
Step 5: From the networks list, choose your wireless network.
Step 6: If you can’t find the name of your network, tap “Enter New Network Name”. Now, follow the on-screen instructions to input the name of your network. Ensure that you input the name the way it is with corresponding lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
Step 7: Type your network’s WPA or WEP key.
We recommend that you read this article: HP Printer Network Security Key [Quick Guide] to learn how to find your network security key if you don’t know your network’s WPA or WEP key.
Step 8: Touch “Done”.
This action will cause the blue wireless LED indicator on your printer’s control panel to turn on indicating that the connection is successful.
Step 9: On your Android device, open the HP Smart app.
Step 10: Touch the plus icon to add your printer.
Step 11: Choose your HP printer
If your HP printer cannot connect to your wireless network, we recommend that you print out a Wireless Network Test Report to find out what is responsible.
HP Touchscreen Control Panel Printers
Do any of the following methods to fix the problem if your HP printer fails to complete on Android:
Connect with WPS – Method 1
Follow the steps below to connect your HP printer to the wireless network with the aid of WPS:
Step 1: Find your router’s WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) button.
If your wireless router lacks a WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) button, use the next method.
Some routers that do not have WPS support include Google, Luma, Plume, and eero.
Step 2: Go to your printer’s control panel.
Step 3: Press down the printer’s “Wireless” button for about 3 seconds or until you see the wireless LED indicator begin to blink.
Your printer will be able to stay in this WPS mode for just 2 minutes; therefore, you need to connect your printer within this period.
Note: For Tango X and Tango printers, press down the “Power” and “Wi-Fi” buttons simultaneously for about 5 seconds. The lighting pattern will change to signify that your printer is now in WPS mode.
Step 4: Press down your router’s WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) button for about 5 seconds or until the connection begins.
Step 5: Check the blue wireless LED indicator.
- If the LED indicator is on, then it means that the connection was successful. Therefore, on your Android device, open the HP Smart app, and then touch the plus icon, before selecting your HP printer to add the device.
- If the LED indicator is off, then it means that the connection to your network failed. Therefore, move your HP printer to be closer to your router. After that, do the steps above. If you still experience an issue in the connection and setup, use the next method.
Connect via HP Software (Mac and Windows) – Method 2
Follow the steps below to connect your HP printer to the wireless network with the aid of the HP Software:
Step 1: Go to your printer’s control panel.
Step 2: Press down the printer’s “Wireless” button for about 3 seconds or until you see the wireless LED indicator begin to blink.
Your printer will be able to stay in this WPS mode for just 2 minutes; therefore, you need to connect your printer within this period.
Note: For Tango X and Tango printers, press down the “Power” and “Wi-Fi” buttons simultaneously for about 5 seconds. The lighting pattern will change to signify that your printer is now in WPS mode.
Step 3: Visit this website, and then type the model of your HP printer to download the HP software. Wait for the on-screen instructions to guide you on how to complete the installation of your HP printer.
Note: In most cases, you’ll be required to disconnect your USB cable from your printer when the installation is in process.
Step 4: On your Android device, open the HP Smart app, and then touch the plus icon, before selecting your HP printer to add the device.
