If you’re using an HP DeskJet 1212 printer and your system isn’t detecting it automatically, this article will guide you through the entire process of downloading and manually installing the correct driver.
The HP DeskJet 1212 is part of the HP DeskJet 1200 series — a simple, lightweight, and affordable printer model popular for home and small office use. However, like many older HP printers, Windows 10 and 11 no longer include automatic driver support for it. That means you’ll have to manually install the correct driver to make it work properly.
Let’s walk through each step carefully — from checking your Windows version to downloading the proper files, extracting them, and completing the manual installation process.
1️⃣ Why HP DeskJet 1212 Needs Manual Driver Installation
The HP DeskJet 1212 belongs to the DeskJet 1200 series, which includes models like the 1210, 1212, and 1215. These models use the same core driver base, but HP has stopped officially bundling drivers for modern versions of Windows (10 and 11).
Because of this, Windows might fail to automatically recognize your printer when you connect it via USB. This is completely normal — you just need to manually install the proper driver.
Doing a manual installation ensures:
- Correct printer detection
- Full printing functionality
- Compatibility with both 32-bit and 64-bit systems
Now that you understand the reason, let’s begin by checking which driver version you actually need.
2️⃣ Step 1: Check Your System Type – 32-bit or 64-bit
Before downloading any driver, you must confirm whether your computer runs on 32-bit or 64-bit Windows. Installing the wrong version will cause errors during setup.
🔍 How to Check System Type
- Right-click on This PC (or My Computer) on your desktop or in File Explorer.
- Select Properties.
- In the “System” section, look for System type.
- If it says 64-bit Operating System, download the 64-bit driver.
- If it says 32-bit Operating System, download the 32-bit driver.
💡 Tip: Most modern PCs and laptops use 64-bit Windows. Still, confirm it to avoid installation issues.
Once confirmed, close this window — now you’re ready to download the right file.
3️⃣ Step 2: Download the Correct HP DeskJet 1212 Driver
Let’s move on to downloading the driver files. Since HP removed Windows 10/11 listings for this printer, we’ll use two safe methods — the official HP support page (via Windows 7 compatibility) and alternate mirror links.
✅ Option A: Official HP Support Page (Recommended)
HP still hosts original drivers for the HP DeskJet 1200 series, which includes the 1212. Here’s how to access them:
- Go to HP’s official driver page:
🔗 https://support.hp.com/rs-en/drivers/model/33691537 - On the page, click Choose a different OS.
- Select Windows 7 (64-bit) or Windows 7 (32-bit) — depending on your system.
- The Basic Driver and Full Feature Software download options will now appear.
- Click Download and save the file.
These Windows 7 drivers work perfectly fine with both Windows 10 and Windows 11 through manual installation.
✅ Option B: Verified Mirror Links (Google Drive / Mega)
If the HP website loads slowly or fails to start your download, you can use these alternate, verified links containing the same driver files.
Google Drive
- 64-bit → Download Here
- 32-bit → Download Here
Mega Link
- 64-bit → Download Here
- 32-bit → Download Here
⚠️ Always pick the version that matches your operating-system type. Incorrect versions won’t install successfully.
Once the download finishes, the file will appear in your Downloads folder. Now we’ll prepare it for installation.
4️⃣ Step 3: Extract the Driver Files
Driver packages are usually compressed into ZIP format for easy sharing. You need to extract these files before installation.
📦 Steps to Extract the ZIP File
- Locate the downloaded ZIP file (e.g.,
HP_DeskJet_1212_Driver.zip). - Right-click the file and choose Extract All or Extract Files….
- When prompted for a destination, choose Desktop for convenience.
- Click OK or Extract to start.
- Wait a few seconds — extraction will create a new folder on your desktop.
Inside this folder, you’ll find multiple driver files like .INF, .CAT, and .DLL. These are the core installation components that Windows will use.
Now let’s move forward to the manual setup stage.
5️⃣ Step 4: Install the Driver Manually Using Windows Settings
We’ve reached the most important part — actually installing the HP DeskJet 1212 driver. Don’t worry; even though this is called “manual installation,” it’s straightforward if you follow the steps below carefully.
🧩 Step-by-Step Manual Installation
- Press the Windows key and type Printers & Scanners.
- Click to open Printers & Scanners Settings.
- Click Add a printer or scanner at the top.
- Windows will search for available devices. Wait a few seconds.
- When it says: “The printer that I want isn’t listed,”
click that link. - A setup wizard will appear. Select: Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings.
- Click Next.
- Under “Choose a printer port”:
- If you see HP Printer Port or HP Device, select it.
- If not, select a USB option such as USB001 (Virtual Printer Port for USB) or USB002.
- Click Next.
- Click the Have Disk button.
- In the pop-up window, click Browse.
- Go to your Desktop, open the extracted driver folder (e.g., HP_DeskJet_1212_64bit).
- Select any
.INFfile (they all belong to the driver). - Click Open → OK.
- From the model list, choose HP DeskJet 1200 Series or HP DeskJet 1210/1212 Series.
- Click Next.
- Assign a printer name (for example, HP DeskJet 1212).
- Click Next again.
Windows will now begin installing the driver. It usually takes 30–60 seconds.
Once complete, it will ask whether you want to share the printer on your network.
- Choose Do not share this printer for home use.
- Choose Share this printer only if others on the same network will print through it.
Click Next, then decide whether to print a test page. Finally, click Finish.
🎉 Your HP DeskJet 1212 printer is now installed successfully!
6️⃣ Step 5: Verify Printer Installation and Print a Test Page
To confirm everything worked correctly, let’s check if Windows recognizes your printer.
🔎 Verify Installation
- Open Printers & Scanners again.
- Look for HP DeskJet 1212 in the list.
- If it appears, click Manage → Print a test page.
If the printer responds and prints a test page, congratulations — setup is complete.
If not, don’t worry. A few quick checks can fix it: ensure the USB cable is plugged in securely, the printer is powered on, and Windows recognizes it under “Devices.”
❓ Troubleshooting and Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
Let’s go over common issues users face while setting up the HP DeskJet 1212.
Q1. My printer isn’t detected automatically. What should I do?
👉 Use the manual installation method described above. Automatic detection often fails on older HP models, especially on Windows 11.
Q2. The driver says “Not digitally signed.” Is it safe to install?
👉 Yes, it’s safe. HP’s older drivers predate Microsoft’s modern signature system. Choose Install anyway — it won’t harm your system.
Q3. The printer prints blank pages. How do I fix this?
👉 Check your ink cartridges for proper seating and ink level. Perform a cleaning cycle from your printer’s control panel or HP Smart app.
Q4. Can I use this same driver for HP DeskJet 1210 or 1215?
👉 Yes. The 1200 series (1210, 1212, 1215, 1218, etc.) shares the same universal driver.
Q5. Does this process work on Windows 11?
👉 Absolutely. Although HP officially lists the driver for Windows 7, the same files are fully compatible with Windows 10 and 11 when installed manually.
Q6. My printer still doesn’t print even though it’s installed.
👉 Reconnect the USB cable, restart both your PC and printer, and try printing again. If it still doesn’t work, re-add the printer following the same manual process.
💡 Additional Tips for Smooth Performance
We’ve come a long way — great work so far! Before you start printing, keep these extra tips in mind for the best experience:
- Restart your PC after installation. It helps finalize driver registration.
- Keep your printer connected during driver installation. Unplugging early can interrupt setup.
- Use high-quality USB cables. Damaged or cheap cables often cause communication errors.
- Print regularly. Running the printer at least once a week prevents ink from drying.
- Backup the driver folder. Store it on a flash drive for quick reinstallation later.
- Avoid third-party “driver updater” software. They often provide incorrect or unsafe files.
These small precautions save time and prevent repeated troubleshooting in the future.
⚠️ Disclaimer and Official HP Source
This article is written for educational and troubleshooting purposes only. HP has officially discontinued automatic driver support for older DeskJet models such as the 1212 on modern Windows OS.
You can still download legitimate drivers from HP’s official source here:
🔗 HP DeskJet 1200 Series (1212) Driver Page
The alternate Google Drive and Mega links mentioned above are archived copies of genuine HP drivers — no modifications or third-party software included. Always scan downloaded files with antivirus software before extraction.
✅ Final Thoughts
And there you have it — a complete, step-by-step guide to downloading, extracting, and manually installing the HP DeskJet 1212 printer driver on Windows 10 or 11.
Even though HP stopped automatic support for this model, it remains a reliable, budget-friendly printer when configured correctly. With these instructions, you can continue using your DeskJet 1212 for years to come without frustration.
Whether you’re printing school documents, invoices, or creative projects, your printer is now ready to deliver crisp results once again.
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