HP Officejet Pro 251dw Drivers

Last checked against HP’s download list: November 10, 2026 · Checked by H&G

Looking for the HP Officejet Pro 251dw driver? This page lists HP’s official software for the whole HP Officejet Pro 251dw Printer series: the Officejet Pro 251dw and Officejet Pro 251dw Monochrome. HP lists some packages for specific models in the series, so check that the package title includes your model. For Windows 11; Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 (32-bit and 64-bit), the package most people need is the HP Officejet Pro 251dw Printer Full Feature Software and Drivers. For a Mac, HP lists Install HP Easy Start.

Models covered by this page

All 2 models share one download list at HP:

HP Officejet Pro 251dw HP Officejet Pro 251dw Monochrome

Which Windows package should you choose?

HP publishes 4 kinds of Windows package for the Officejet Pro 251dw:

• Full software solution (v32.4.119, Dec 06, 2021, 109.7 MB): driver plus HP’s setup wizard and tools.
• Driver-only installer (v32.4.119, Dec 07, 2021): print driver only, for PCs that can’t or shouldn’t take the full package.
• HP Universal Print Driver (v8.2.0.26778, Sep 26, 2026): HP’s shared driver for many models, also listed for this series.
• Firmware update (v2031A, Aug 18, 2020): updates the printer itself, not your PC.

All downloads for the Officejet Pro 251dw

Windows

macOS

Other HP software listed for this series

HP Universal Print Driver

HP lists its Universal Print Driver for this series on Windows 11; Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 (32-bit and 64-bit). Get it from our HP Universal Print Driver page.

Linux

HP lists Linux support for this series through its HPLIP project, outside the regular download list: HP’s Linux printing page (HPLIP).

Installing the Officejet Pro 251dw driver

For step-by-step instructions, see our guide to installing an HP printer driver.

Firmware update 2031A

The newest firmware HP lists for the Officejet Pro 251dw is version 2031A, released Dec 14, 2020. HP’s notes for it: Security fixes including network component update; Update certificate to maintain a secure connection to HP Cloud; General fixes.

• Keep the printer and the computer switched on until the update has finished.

Specifications that matter for setup

Connections	1 Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Device; 1 Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Host; 1 Ethernet 10/100 Base-TX network; 802.11 b/g/n Station; 802.11 b/g Access Point
Mobile printing	HP ePrint; Apple AirPrint™; Google Cloud Print 2.0
Print languages	HP PCL5c, HP PCLXL (PCL6), native PDF, HP Postscript Level 3
Print speed (black)	ISO Laser comparable, Professional Mode: Up to 20 ppm,General Office Mode: Up to 25 ppm Either after first page or after first set of ISO test pages. For details see hp.com/go/printerclaims
Recommended monthly volume	250 to 1500 pages
Two-sided printing	Automatic (standard)

Ink supplies HP lists for the Officejet Pro 251dw

HP’s specifications name these replacement supplies for the Officejet Pro 251dw:

• HP 950 Black Officejet Ink Cartridge (~1000 pages)
• HP 951 Cyan Officejet Ink Cartridge (~700 pages)
• HP 951 Magenta Officejet Ink Cartridge (~700 pages)
• HP 951 Yellow Officejet Ink Cartridge (~700 pages)
• HP 950XL Black Officejet Ink Cartridge (~2300 pages)
• HP 951XL Cyan Officejet Ink Cartridge (~1500 pages)
• HP 951XL Magenta Officejet Ink Cartridge (~1500 pages)
• HP 951XL Yellow Officejet Ink Cartridge (~1500 pages) Average based on ISO/IEC 24711 or HP testing methodology and continuous printing. Actual

What comes in the box

HP lists these items with the Officejet Pro 251dw:

• HP Officejet Pro 251dw Printer
• Automatic Two-sided Printing accessory
• HP 950 Setup Black Officejet Ink Cartridge (~1000 pages)
• HP 951 Setup Cyan Officejet Ink Cartridge
• HP 951 Setup Magenta Officejet Ink Cartridge
• Power cord
• Setup poster
• Getting Started Guide
• CD-ROMs (for software, Windows and Mac printer drivers, and User's Guide)

Paper handling and hardware details

Values below are HP’s published figures for the Officejet Pro 251dw; they help you check that this page matches your printer before you download anything.

Paper input tray	250-sheet input tray
Output tray	150-sheet output tray
Optional trays	Optional 250-sheet input tray
Paper sizes	Tray 1: US Legal (8.5 x 14 inches); 8.5 x 13 inches (8.5 x 13 inches); US Letter (8.5 x 11 inches); A4 (8.3 x 11.7 inches); US E x ecutive (7.25 x 10.5 inches)
Media types	Plain paper; Thick plain paper; HP Bright White Paper; HP Premium Presentation Paper, Matte; HP Premium Plus Photo Papers; Other inkjet papers (up to 28 lb bond); HP Advanced Photo Papers
Paper weight	Tray1: 16 to 28 lb (plain paper); 60 to 75 lb (photo); 20 to 24 lb (envelope); 90 to 110 lb (card)
Print speed (color)	ISO Laser comparable, Professional Mode: Up to 15 ppm
Print quality (black)	Black: Up to 1200 x 1200 optimized dpi on plain paper from 600 x 600 input dpi Color: Up to 1200 x 1200 optimized dpi from 600×600 input dpi
Print quality (color)	Up to 1200 x 1200 optimized dpi from 600×600 input dpi
Control panel	4.3" CGD (color graphics), touchscreen
Processor	480 Mhz
Size (W x D x H)	19.5 x 18.1 x 9.35 in
Weight	19.4 lb
USB cable	No, please purchase (USB) cable separately
Warranty	One-year limited hardware warranty, 24-hour, 7 days a week Web support, business hour phone support within warranty period

Common setup problems

• You’d rather not install software on a Mac. HP’s specifications list AirPrint support, so macOS can usually add the printer from System Settings without extra software.

Printer Failure and Ink Cartridge Problem errors on the Officejet Pro 251dw

HP has three documents for the Officejet Pro 251dw and 276dw. Two cover the Printer Failure message and the Ink Cartridge Problem message, which stop the printer from printing.

Printer Failure with no error code

• HP says to use the SETUP cartridges that came with the printer to avoid startup failures.
• Check the cartridges for leaks. Open the cartridge door by pulling forward on the slot at the left side, wait for the carriage to go quiet, press the latch handle on the carriage down, release each cartridge and look for leaking ink. HP says to stop troubleshooting and contact HP for a replacement if a cartridge is leaking.
• Turn the printer off, unplug it, wait 30 seconds and plug it back in.
• Remove and reinsert the printhead, because HP says the error is sometimes caused by poor electrical contact between the printhead and the printer. You can lift out the printhead with all the cartridges still inserted.

Error after installing a new black cartridge

• The HP document covers the HP 950XL black cartridge not seating or the messages Ink cartridge problem or Printer failure after you install it. HP says to examine the cartridge for glue residue blocking the ink supply.
• If there is no residue, reinsert the cartridge until it clicks and try printing. If residue blocks part of the round hole, HP says to contact HP: the cartridge is replaced under warranty for the Ink Cartridge Problem error, and the printhead for the Printer Failure error.

Source: HP Support, HP Officejet Pro 251dw and 276dw Printer Series – Printer Failure Error Message Displays on the Control Panel or Computer. The black-cartridge case is described in An Ink Cartridge Problem or a Printer Failure error message displays during new black cartridge installation.

Vertical bands or streaks on copies, faxes and scans (251dw)

HP has a separate article for the case where a printout looks normal but copies, faxes or scans show vertical white, black or colored lines.

HP’s solutions, in order

• Close the scanner lid before turning the printer on. HP says that turning it on with the lid open can cause poor scan quality such as vertical streaks.
• Reset the all-in-one: with the printer on, unplug the cord from the rear and the wall outlet, wait 15 seconds, reconnect, and keep the lid closed so the scan calibration is correct.
• Clean the scanner glass, the glass strip beside it and the white underside of the lid with a soft lint-free cloth and mild glass cleaner sprayed on the cloth, not the glass. HP warns against abrasives, acetone, benzene, carbon tetrachloride and isopropyl alcohol, which can leave streaks.

Source: HP Support, HP Officejet Pro 251dw Printer Series – Vertical Bands, Lines, or Streaks on Copies, Faxes, or Scans.

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