HP Printers - Windows Update Error 'Null Fax' or '0x80070490' - HP LaserJet Pro M102w

This document is for HP printers and computers with Windows 10.

Windows Update reports a problem and lists your printer name with any combination of the following error messages:

HP-Other Hardware Printer	Null Fax
0x8024200b	0xa024200b
0x800706b9	0x0000007E
0x80070450	0x80070103
0x00000709	0x8007490

Figure : Example of a Windows Update printer error

What’s happening:
Windows Update is trying to install a printer-related driver (sometimes a “ghost”/unknown device entry), but the device record is corrupted or incomplete. This often shows up as Unknown device under Printers in Device Manager, and Windows Update can keep failing until that entry is removed.

Resolution: Remove the Unknown Printer Device in Device Manager

Step 1: Open Device Manager

1. Click Start.

2. Type Device Manager.

3. Click Device Manager from the results.

Step 2: Find the printer device category

1. In Device Manager, locate and expand:

   • Printers
     (If you don’t see “Printers,” also check Print queues or Other devices—Windows sometimes places the “unknown” entry there.)

Step 3: Uninstall the Unknown device

1. Under Printers (or the relevant section), look for:

   • Unknown device

   • or any entry that clearly doesn’t match your real printer driver name

2. Right-click Unknown device.

3. Select Uninstall device.

4. If you see an option like “Delete the driver software for this device”, leave it unchecked unless you are specifically instructed to remove the driver package (most cases do not require deleting the package).

Step 4: Retry Windows Update

1. Return to Windows Update.

2. Click Retry (or Check for updates).

3. Allow updates to install.

If “Unknown device” doesn’t appear under Printers

Try these quick checks:

A) Check alternate sections

• Expand Print queues

• Expand Other devices

• Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers (less common, but possible)

Uninstall the “Unknown device” entry if it corresponds to the printer update problem.

B) Re-scan for hardware changes (optional)

After uninstalling:

1. In Device Manager, click Action (top menu).

2. Select Scan for hardware changes.

3. Then retry Windows Update again.

Expected result

After removing the unknown/ghost printer entry:

• Windows Update should stop reporting Null Fax / HP-Other Hardware Printer update failures

• Printer-related updates should install normally (or Windows Update may simply stop offering the problematic driver update)