What is the HPLIP Binary Plug-In and How Do I Install It?

Binary Plug-in Information

Some HP printers require proprietary software technologies to allow full access to printer features and performance.  Unfortunately, these technologies cannot be open sourced, but to resolve this HP uses a binary plug-in for these printers.  This plug-in works in conjunction with our Linux Open Source Printing Software to improve the printing experience for HP’s Linux Printing Customers. Additionally, it requires the user to read and agree to a license agreement at the time of driver installation.  However, to limit confusion, there is a single plug-in file (for each HPLIP release) for all plug-in enabled devices.

As of February 2009 (concurrent with the 3.9.2 release of HPLIP), there were approximately 50 LaserJet printers or MFP's that either require the plug-in for the device to operate or use the plug-in for enhanced performance (i.e. improved print quality, faster print speed, etc.).  However, additional devices (including inkjet products) are anticipated that will use the plug-in in the future.  For the current list of plug-in enabled printers, see the table below, which also includes the enabled or enhanced features.

Device Plugin (Required/Optional) Min. Plugin Version Reason(s)
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m25nw Required 3.17.5 Printing support.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m25a Required 3.17.5 Printing support.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m26a Required 3.17.5 Printing support.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m26nw Required 3.17.5 Printing support.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m27cnw Required 3.17.5 Printing support.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m27c Required 3.17.5 Printing support.
HP LaserJet 100 Color MFP m175 Required 3.11.7 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m125nw Required 3.14.3 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m125rnw Required 3.14.3 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m125a Required 3.14.3 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m125r Required 3.14.10 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m125ra Required 3.14.10 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m126nw Required 3.14.3 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m126a Required 3.14.3 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m127fn Required 3.13.11 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m127fs Required 3.16.2 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m127fp Required 3.14.3 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m127fw Required 3.13.11 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m128fp Required 3.14.4 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m128fw Required 3.14.4 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
Device Plugin (Required/Optional) Min. Plugin Version Reason(s)
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m128fn Required 3.14.4 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP Color LaserJet Pro Mpf m176n Required 3.13.11 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP Color LaserJet Pro Mpf m177fw Required 3.13.11 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet Pro 200 Color MFP m276n Required 3.12.9 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet 200 Color MFP m275s Required 3.11.12 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet 200 Color MFP m275t Required 3.11.12 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet 200 Color MFP m275u Required 3.11.12 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet Pro 200 Color MFP m276nw Required 3.12.9 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet 200 Colormfp m276j Required 3.12.9 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet 200 Colormfp m276b Required 3.12.9 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet 200 Colormfp m276e Required 3.12.9 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet 200 Colormfp m276g Required 3.12.9 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet 200 Colormfp m276k Required 3.12.9 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet 200 Colormfp m276p Required 3.12.9 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet 200 Colormfp m276q Required 3.12.9 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet 200 Colormfp m276r Required 3.12.9 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet 200 Colormfp m276u Required 3.12.9 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet 200 Colormfp m276v Required 3.12.9 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet 200 Color MFP m275nw Required 3.11.12 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m225dw Required 3.14.10 1.Scanning support. 2.Faxing support.
Device Plugin (Required/Optional) Min. Plugin Version Reason(s)
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m225dn Required 3.14.10 1.Scanning support. 2.Faxing support.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m225rdn Required 3.14.10 1.Scanning support. 2.Faxing support.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m226dw Required 3.14.10 1.Scanning support. 2.Faxing support.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m226dn Required 3.14.10 1.Scanning support. 2.Faxing support.
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP m274n Required 3.15.11 Scanning support.
HP Color LaserJet MFP m277dw Required 3.15.4 Scanning support.
HP Color LaserJet MFP m277c6 Required 3.16.10 Scanning support.
HP Color LaserJet MFP m277n Required 3.15.4 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet 300 Color MFP m375nw Required 3.12.2 Scanning support.
HP Color LaserJet MFP m377 Fnw Required 3.16.7 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet 400 MFP m425dw Required 3.12.6 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet 400 MFP m425dn Required 3.12.6 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet 400 Color MFP m475dw Required 3.12.2 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet 400 Color MFP m475dn Required 3.12.2 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m426fdw Required 3.15.11 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m426fdn Required 3.15.11 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m426dw Required 3.15.11 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m427fdw Required 3.15.11 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m427dw Required 3.15.11 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m427dn Required 3.15.11 Scanning support.
Device Plugin (Required/Optional) Min. Plugin Version Reason(s)
HP LaserJet Pro MFP m435nw Required 3.13.9 Scanning support.
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP m476nw Required 3.14.4 Scanning support.
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP m476dn Required 3.14.4 Scanning support.
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP m476dw Required 3.14.4 Scanning support.
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP m477 Fdn Required 3.15.11 Scanning support.
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP m477 Fnw Required 3.15.11 Scanning support.
HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP m477 Fdw Required 3.15.11 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet Pro 500 Color MFP m570dw Required 3.12.11 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet Pro 500 Color MFP m570dn Required 3.12.11 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet Pro m521dw Multifunction Printer Required 3.13.4 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet Pro m521dn Multifunction Printer Required 3.13.4 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet 1000 Printer Required 2.7.12 Printing support.
HP LaserJet 1005 Printer Required 2.7.12 Printing support.
HP LaserJet m1005 Multifunction Printer Required 2.8.9 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet p1005 Printer Required 2.8.2 Printing support.
HP LaserJet p1006 Printer Required 2.8.2 Printing support.
HP LaserJet p1007 Printer Required 2.8.6 Printing support.
HP LaserJet p1008 Printer Required 2.8.6 Printing support.
HP LaserJet p1009 Printer Required 3.9.4 Printing support.
HP Color LaserJet cm1015 Multifunction Printer Required 2.8.10 Scanning support.
Device Plugin (Required/Optional) Min. Plugin Version Reason(s)
HP Color LaserJet cm1017 Multifunction Printer Required 2.8.10 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet 1018s Printer Required 2.7.10 Printing support.
HP LaserJet 1018 Printer Required 2.7.10 Printing support.
HP LaserJet 1020 Plus Printer Required 2.7.10 Printing support.
HP LaserJet 1020 Printer Required 2.7.10 Printing support.
HP LaserJet 1022nxi Printer Optional 2.7.10 Faster printing speed.
HP LaserJet 1022 Printer Optional 2.7.10 Faster printing speed.
HP LaserJet 1022n Printer Optional 2.7.10 Faster printing speed.
HP LaserJet 1022nw Printer Optional 2.7.10 Faster printing speed.
HP LaserJet Pro Cp 1025nw Color Printer Series Required 3.12.4 Printing support.
HP LaserJet Pro Cp 1025 Color Printer Series Required 3.12.4 Printing support.
HP LaserJet Pro cp1025 Color Printer Series Required 3.11.1 Printing support.
HP LaserJet Pro cp1025nw Color Printer Series Required 3.11.1 Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional p1102 Printer Required 3.10.4 Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional p1102s Printer Required 3.10.4 Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional p1102w Printer Required 3.10.4 Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional P 1102w Printer Required 3.12.6 Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional p1106w Printer Required 3.12.4 Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional p1106 Printer Required 3.12.2 Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional p1107 Printer Required 3.12.6 Printing support.
Device Plugin (Required/Optional) Min. Plugin Version Reason(s)
HP LaserJet Professional p1107w Printer Required 3.12.6 Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional p1108w Printer Required 3.12.4 Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional p1108 Printer Required 3.12.2 Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional p1109w Printer Required 3.12.6 Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional p1109 Printer Required 3.12.6 Printing support.
HP LaserJet m1120 Multifunction Printer Required 2.8.9 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet m1120n Multifunction Printer Required 2.8.9 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional m1132s Multifunction Printer Required 3.10.4 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional m1132 Multifunction Printer Required 3.10.4 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional m1136 Multifunction Printer Required 3.10.6 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional m1137 Multifunction Printer Required 3.12.6 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional m1138 Multifunction Printer Required 3.12.6 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional m1139 Multifunction Printer Required 3.12.6 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet m1210 MFP Series Required 3.12.10 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional m1212nf Multifunction Printer Required 3.10.4 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional m1213nf Multifunction Printer Required 3.11.1 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional m1214nfh Multifunction Printer Required 3.11.5 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP Color LaserJet cp1215 Printer Required 3.9.2 Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional m1216nfh MFP Required 3.11.7 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional m1217nfw Multifunction Printer Required 3.10.9 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
Device Plugin (Required/Optional) Min. Plugin Version Reason(s)
HP Color LaserJet cp1217 Printer Required 3.12.2 Printing support.
HP Hotspot LaserJet Pro m1218nfs MFP Required 3.12.10 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional m1219nfs MFP Required 3.12.10 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional m1219nf MFP Required 3.11.7 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional m1219nfg MFP Required 3.12.10 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP Color LaserJet cm1312nfi Multifunction Printer Required 2.8.10 Scanning support.
HP Color LaserJet cm1312 Multifunction Printer Required 2.8.10 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet m1319f Multifunction Printer Required 2.8.9 1.Scanning support. 2.Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional cm1411fn Required 3.11.1 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet Professional cm1412fn Required 3.11.1 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet Professional cm1413fn Required 3.11.1 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet Professional cm1415fnw Required 3.11.1 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet Professional cm1415fn Required 3.11.1 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet Professional cm1416fnw Required 3.11.1 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet Professional cm1417fnw Required 3.11.1 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet Professional cm1418fnw Required 3.11.1 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet p1505n Printer Optional 2.8.2 Better print quality.
HP LaserJet p1505 Printer Required 2.8.2 Printing support.
HP LaserJet m1522n Multifunction Printer Required 2.8.10 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet m1522nf Multifunction Printer Required 2.8.10 Scanning support.
Device Plugin (Required/Optional) Min. Plugin Version Reason(s)
HP LaserJet m1522 Multifunction Printer Required 2.8.10 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet m1536dnf MFP Required 3.11.1 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet m1537dnf MFP Required 3.11.1 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet m1538dnf MFP Required 3.11.1 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet m1539dnf MFP Required 3.11.1 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet Professional p1566 Required 3.10.4 Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional p1567 Required 3.12.6 Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional p1568 Required 3.12.6 Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional p1569 Required 3.12.6 Printing support.
HP Color LaserJet 1600 Printer Required 3.9.2 Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional p1606dn Printer Required 3.10.4 Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional p1607dn Printer Required 3.12.6 Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional p1608dn Printer Required 3.12.6 Printing support.
HP LaserJet Professional p1609dn Printer Required 3.12.6 Printing support.
HP LaserJet p2014 Printer Optional 2.7.6 Faster printing speed.
HP LaserJet p2014n Printer Optional 2.7.6 Faster printing speed.
HP LaserJet p2035 Printer Required 2.8.10 Printing support.
HP LaserJet p2035n Printer Required 2.8.10 Printing support.
HP Color LaserJet cm2320nf Multifunction Printer Required 2.8.10 Scanning support.
HP Color LaserJet cm2320n Multifunction Printer Required 2.8.10 Scanning support.
Device Plugin (Required/Optional) Min. Plugin Version Reason(s)
HP Color LaserJet cm2320fxi Multifunction Printer Required 2.8.10 Scanning support.
HP Color LaserJet cm2320 Multifunction Printer Required 2.8.10 Scanning support.
HP Color LaserJet 2600n Printer Required 3.9.2 Printing support.
HP LaserJet m2727nf Multifunction Printer Required 2.8.10 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet m2727 Multifunction Printer Required 2.8.10 Scanning support.
HP LaserJet m2727nfs Multifunction Printer Required 2.8.10 Scanning support.
HP Scanjet Pro 3000 s3 Required 3.16.10 Scanning support.
HP Color LaserJet 3500n Printer Optional 2.7.10 1.Faster printing speed. 2.Better print quality.
HP Color LaserJet 3500dtn Printer Optional 2.7.10 1.Faster printing speed. 2.Better print quality.
HP Color LaserJet 3500dn Printer Optional 2.7.10 1.Faster printing speed. 2.Better print quality.
HP Color LaserJet 3500 Printer Optional 2.7.10 1.Faster printing speed. 2.Better print quality.
HP Scanjet Pro 3500 f1 Flatbed Scanner Required 3.15.11 Scanning support.
HP Color LaserJet 3550n Printer Optional 2.7.10 1.Faster printing speed. 2.Better print quality.
HP Color LaserJet 3550 Printer Optional 2.7.10 1.Faster printing speed. 2.Better print quality.
HP Color LaserJet 3600 Printer Optional 2.7.10 1.Faster printing speed. 2.Better print quality.
HP Color LaserJet 3600n Printer Optional 2.7.10 1.Faster printing speed. 2.Better print quality.
HP Color LaserJet 3600dn Printer Optional 2.7.10 1.Faster printing speed. 2.Better print quality.
HP Scanjet Pro 4500 fn1 Required 3.16.2 Scanning support.
HP Scanjet Enterprise Flow 5000 s4 Required 3.16.10 Scanning support.
HP Scanjet Enterprise Flow 7000 s3 Required 3.16.10 Scanning support.

Most Linux distributions include HPLIP with their software, but most do not include the plug-in.  Therefore, it is a safe practice to run a utility called "hp-setup", which, will install the printer into the CUPS spooler, download, and install the plug-in at the appropriate time. 

To install the plug-in using the GUI you can follow these procedures:

1.  Launch a command-line window and enter:

                           hp-setup

2.  Select your connection type and click "Next".

3.  Select your printer from "Selected Devices" list and click "Next".

4.  Enter your root password when prompted and click "Next".

5.  Use the recommended installation method and click "Next".

6.  Check the box to accept with the "Driver Plug-In License Agreement" and click "Next".

7.  Finish the installation of the printer as normal, however you may be prompted to re-enter your user name and password.

If you run into any additional install problems you can go to our known issues page and check for a solution.

For advanced users who wish to install HPLIP components manually, a utility exists (hp-plugin) which will download and install the plugin file, but it does not also install a printer queue like hp-setup does.

Do the following:

1.  Launch a command-line window and enter:

                       hp-plugin

2. Follow the directions above for navigating the GUI but remember that the printer que will not be installed through this process.

 *Note: you may need to run hp-plugin as root or super user depending on your distro.