Error - Printer driver was not installed. This operation requires an interactive window station.

I am trying to install two HP Laserjet Pro 404N printers on a server 2012R2. I have tried installing from control panel, devices and printers, and also print management. I have tried an older download from HP with no resolution. On each attempt, I get the error "Printer driver was not installed. This operation requires an interactive window station." I am attempting to install them by creating a TCPIP port and the have disk option. I have also tried to use the query printer option but that does not work either.

* I can ping both printers by IP

* I can use a browser and open the web interface for each printer

* I have read several articles that state this may be a permission issue to c:\windows\system32\drivers and driverstore. I have updated the security of those folders, again no resolution.

* HP support was of no assistance and he even encountered the same error

* in the event logs, I am getting an event ID 215 (0x5b3)

event id 215 printer install error.jpg

InstallationPrinters and ScannersSecurity

Last Comment

Rick Barwig

8/22/2022 - Mon

Lee W, MVP

12/8/2021

Not quite the exact same error, but I had a similar error on an HP business class laser printer recently. Windows tried to install the drivers, even seemed to suggest it had (Windows 10), but you couldn't open the print que or review anything for the printer. I downloaded the driver suite, but that failed to install as well. So I downloaded the BASIC drive (non-installer version) and manually added the printer, providing the path to the drivers (v4 drivers). They finally installed and worked fine. I'd suggest trying it.

Try these from https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-laserjet-pro-m404-m405-series/19203833/model/19202535

Roland Lee

12/9/2021

https://mizitechinfo.wordpress.com/2014/08/02/step-by-step-install-configure-printer-pool-in-windows-server-2012-r2/

Pls try if this works for you

Rick Barwig

12/9/2021

ASKER

This all works up to step 12 where you are asked to install the printer driver. Then, we are back to the same issue I am having now with installing the driver.

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Roland Lee

12/9/2021

Try get a new copy of drivers from the link below

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-laserjet-pro-m404-m405-series/19203833/model/19202535

http://printers.iyogi.com/help-support/printer-driver-not-installed.html

Roland Lee

12/10/2021

Found this article, see if these info helps
https://www.techinpost.com/this-operation-requires-an-interactive-window-station/

Rick Barwig

12/10/2021

ASKER

Ran thru these steps and they are the same as the article I posted. I am not going to use the reset function. This is a servr and has production applications already running on it.

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Rick Barwig

12/10/2021

ASKER

Lee, I went down that road yesterday already and still have the same issue.
My gut tells me this is related to CVE-2021-34527

Roland Lee

12/11/2021

Have you tried to install the printer using just the INF file?

Rick Barwig

12/11/2021