Independent brand guide

HP Printer Guide: Product Families, Apps and Owner Tips

Last reviewed

HP makes printers for almost every kind of user, from compact home inkjets to heavy-duty office lasers. This page gives you a general map of HP’s well-known product families and the official tools owners tend to use, then points you to our step-by-step guides for common tasks.

Super Laser Guide is independent. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by or authorized by HP. HP and its product names are trademarks of their owner and are used here only to identify the products discussed. For warranty questions, repairs or account issues, contact HP directly through its official support site.

HP printer families

  • HP LaserJet

    HP’s long-running laser line, covering monochrome and color models for homes and offices. LaserJet printers use toner cartridges and suit people who print text-heavy documents or print only occasionally, since toner does not dry out.

  • HP OfficeJet

    Inkjet all-in-ones aimed at home offices and small businesses, typically adding scanning, copying and often an automatic document feeder. They use ink cartridges.

  • HP DeskJet

    Entry-level inkjet printers and all-in-ones for light home use, such as school assignments and occasional photos.

  • HP Smart Tank

    Inkjet printers with refillable ink tanks filled from bottles instead of replaceable cartridges. They are designed for people who print regularly and want to refill less often.

Official apps and utilities

  • HP Smart

    HP’s official app for setting up supported printers, printing and scanning from phones and computers, and checking printer status. Feature availability depends on your printer model and region.

  • HP Print and Scan Doctor

    A Windows diagnostic utility from HP that can help detect common connection and driver issues on supported printers. It is not available for macOS.

  • A note on names

    Software names, features and supported models change over time. Get any HP app only from HP’s official website or your device’s official app store, and confirm it supports your model.

Official HP support, drivers and manuals

For drivers, firmware, manuals, warranty questions and hardware faults, go directly to the manufacturer: HP Customer Support . HP’s official support site for drivers, manuals, firmware and warranty information. Enter your exact model or serial number to see the correct resources.

Super Laser Guide has no connection with HP and cannot access your device, account or warranty.

Notes for HP owners

  • Find your exact model number. It is usually printed on the front or top of the printer, on a label inside the cartridge access door, or on a sticker on the back. Many HP printers can also print a printer status or configuration report from the control panel. Similar-sounding models can use different drivers and supplies.

  • Get drivers and software only from official sources. Search results and ads sometimes lead to lookalike “printer setup” or “support” sites. Be wary of any site or caller that asks for remote access to your computer or for payment to install a driver. Windows and macOS can often add a printer using built-in drivers; see add a printer to a computer.

  • Consider firmware updates. HP periodically releases firmware for many printers to fix bugs or change features. Updates can be offered through the printer’s control panel, the HP Smart app or HP’s support site. Firmware can also change how a printer handles non-HP supplies, so read the release notes before updating.

  • Where maintenance tools usually live. On most HP inkjets, printhead cleaning, alignment and print quality reports sit in a Tools, Setup or Printer Maintenance menu on the control panel, or in the HP Smart app. LaserJet models often provide cleaning pages and supply status reports in a similar menu or the printer’s built-in web page. Exact menu names vary by model.

Guides that apply to HP printers

Frequently asked questions

Do I need the HP Smart app to use my HP printer?

Not always. Many HP printers can print using drivers built into Windows, macOS or ChromeOS. The app adds convenient setup, scanning and status features, and some models rely on it more than others. Check your model’s documentation.

Why does my HP printer reject a cartridge?

The cartridge may be the wrong model number, still have protective tape on it, or be incompatible with the printer’s current firmware. Confirm the cartridge number listed for your printer and reseat it as the manual describes.

Is Super Laser Guide part of HP support?

No. We are an independent educational site with no connection to HP. For warranty service or account help, use HP’s official support site.