HP LaserJet Pro M102w - How to Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

Overview

This document explains how to update, uninstall, and reinstall printer drivers for the HP LaserJet Pro M102w on Windows, macOS, and other supported platforms.
Driver issues can cause problems such as:

Printer not responding or going offline
Incorrect print output or missing print options
Inability to connect via USB or Wi-Fi

Updating or reinstalling the printer driver often resolves these problems and ensures full compatibility with the latest operating system updates.

1. Understanding HP Printer Drivers

The HP LaserJet Pro M102w uses several types of drivers depending on your system and needs:

Driver Type	Description	Recommended For
Full Feature Software	Includes HP Smart, utilities, and setup tools	General users (Windows & macOS)
Basic Driver	Lightweight driver with standard printing functions	Enterprise or minimal installations
Windows Built-in Driver	Automatically installed via Windows Update	Quick, temporary setup
HP Universal Print Driver (UPD)	Supports multiple HP printers via a single package	IT or network environments

2. Check Current Driver Version

Before updating, verify which driver is currently installed.

For Windows

Press Windows + R, type control printers, and press Enter.
Right-click HP LaserJet Pro M102w → select Printer Properties.
Go to the About or Driver tab.
Note the Driver Provider, Version, and Date.

For macOS

Click Apple Menu > System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
Select HP LaserJet Pro M102w → click Options & Supplies.
Under General, view the driver name and version.

3. Update Drivers via HP Smart App (Recommended)

The HP Smart app automatically detects your printer and installs the latest driver.

Steps

Download the HP Smart app from:
- HP Smart for Windows/Mac
Launch the app and Sign in or create an HP account.
Click Add Printer, then follow the on-screen instructions.
If a driver update is available, HP Smart will prompt you to install it.
Restart your computer after installation.

4. Manual Driver Update from HP Support

If HP Smart is unavailable or fails, manually update the driver from HP’s website.

Steps

Go to HP Support – Software and Drivers.
Enter HP LaserJet Pro M102w in the search field.
Select your Operating System (e.g., Windows 11, macOS Sonoma).
Under Driver-Product Installation Software, choose:
- Full Feature Software and Driver (recommended)
- or Basic Driver for a lightweight installation.
Download the installer.
Run the downloaded .exe (Windows) or .dmg (Mac) file.
Follow on-screen instructions to install the new driver.
Restart your PC or Mac after installation.

5. Uninstall the Old or Corrupted Driver

If the printer driver is corrupted or causing errors, remove it completely before reinstalling.

For Windows

Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
Right-click your printer → Remove device.
Press Windows + R, type printui /s /t2, and press Enter.
In the Print Server Properties window, remove any existing HP LaserJet Pro M102w drivers.
Delete leftover driver files from:

C:\Program Files\HP\ C:\ProgramData\HP\
Restart the computer.

For macOS

Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
Select the printer and click the minus (-) button to remove it.
Delete the HP printer folder (if any) from /Library/Printers/hp/.
Restart your Mac before reinstalling.

6. Reinstall the Driver

After uninstalling, proceed with a fresh installation.

Windows Reinstallation (USB or Wireless)

Connect the printer via USB or Wi-Fi.
Run the driver installer downloaded from HP Support.
Choose Automatic Setup and follow prompts.
After installation, print a Test Page to confirm functionality.

macOS Reinstallation

Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners > Add Printer (+).
Select HP LaserJet Pro M102w from the list.
If macOS suggests a driver, select HP LaserJet Pro M102w (AirPrint) or HP Smart.
Test with a sample print document.

7. Alternative: Use Windows Built-in Driver

If HP’s driver fails to install, use the Windows built-in driver.

Steps

Connect the printer via USB.
Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers > Add a printer.
Choose The printer that I want isn’t listed → Add a local printer.
Select the port (usually USB001) → Windows Update → choose HP LaserJet Pro M102w.
Finish installation.

8. Update via Windows Update

Windows can automatically detect and install the latest HP drivers.

Steps

Press Windows + I > Windows Update.
Click Check for updates.
Under Optional updates, expand Driver updates.
Select the HP LaserJet Pro M102w driver if available.
Restart your computer.

9. Verify Successful Installation

Windows

Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
Right-click your printer → Printer Properties > Print Test Page.
If the test page prints correctly, installation is complete.

macOS

Print a sample file from any application.
Verify that print options (such as paper size and quality) are functioning properly.

10. Troubleshooting Installation Issues

Problem	Possible Cause	Solution
Installer freezes or fails	Incomplete removal of previous driver	Run HP Print and Scan Doctor, then reinstall
Printer not detected during setup	USB cable or Wi-Fi issue	Use a different cable or reconfigure network
Missing print options	Installed with basic driver	Reinstall using Full Feature Software

Summary

Keeping your HP LaserJet Pro M102w driver updated ensures optimal performance and full compatibility with your operating system.
If printing stops unexpectedly or the printer shows offline, reinstalling or updating the driver using HP Smart or HP Support tools will typically resolve the problem.