Adding an HP Printer

For most HP models, there are several different drivers available to choose from, which require the use of different types of printer interface (backend). For HP there are two interfaces: standard USB and a special interface from HP. For this reason, you may see two (or more) identical devices on the Add Printer page.

The HP interface must be used for hpcups, hpijs drivers. It contains HPLIP, HPCUPS or HPIJS in the name, which are not present in the printer description found on a regular USB interface.

HP Interfaces

HP Interfaces

Add a printer that has the string HPLIP, HPCUPS or HPIJS (make sure that on the next page the Connection field has a URI starting with hp:/. On the driver selection page, specify the driver for your model , which has hpcups in the name.

Adding HP LaserJet 1018 printer with hpcups driver

In some cases, an alternative driver may be better than the official hpcups. When using an alternative driver, use the usb:// interface when adding a printer (the printer name does not have HPLIP, HPCUPS or HPIJS string strings).

List of HP drivers in order from most preferred to least preferred:

  • hpcups
  • foo2zjs/foo2xqx
  • pxlmono/pxlcolor
  • CUPS+Gutenprint
  • ljet4
  • lj5gray/lj5mono