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Freedom251 › Blog › HP Smart

Windows Renamed Your Printer to HP LaserJet M101-M106? Here’s the Fix

By Freedom251 Team · · 3 min read

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If a printer from any manufacturer suddenly appears in Windows as “HP LaserJet M101-M106,” the name or icon may be wrong because of a Windows printer-metadata issue—not because the printer itself became an HP device. Microsoft published a Printer Metadata Troubleshooter to restore printer information and remove the incorrect HP metadata from devices that do not match that model. Check the installed driver and test the functions you rely on before changing drivers or replacing hardware.

What the HP LaserJet M101-M106 rename means

Microsoft documented a Windows issue in which printer names and icons could change, often to HP LaserJet M101-M106, including for printers made by other manufacturers. Some Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices also installed the HP Smart app automatically. Microsoft said its investigation linked the symptoms to automatic HP Smart installation, but that the issue was not caused by an HP update. Microsoft’s issue description

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A changed display name or icon alone does not prove that the printer’s driver or hardware changed. Microsoft said basic functions such as printing, copying, scanning, and faxing often remained available, although an incorrect association with another manufacturer’s app could affect extended functions.

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Check the driver and printer functions first

  1. Open the affected printer’s properties in Windows and check which driver is listed. A model label in the printer list is not, by itself, confirmation that the installed driver changed.
  2. Test the functions you need, such as printing and, where relevant, scanning or faxing.
  3. If the driver is still the expected one and those functions work, avoid changing drivers or hardware solely to correct the displayed name. If a needed function fails, investigate that specific driver or app issue separately.

Use Microsoft’s Printer Metadata Troubleshooter

Microsoft’s dedicated troubleshooter reviews printer information, restores previously downloaded model information and icons, and removes “HP LaserJet M101-M106” model information, icons, and application associations from printers that do not match that name and model. Microsoft Download Center: Printer Metadata Troubleshooter

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M101-M106 Toner Cartridges Compatible for HP LaserJet PRO M101-M104 Ultra
  • 【Compatible Printer】For HP LASERJET PRO M101-M104 ULTRA M105-M106 PRO M104A 104W Printers.
  • 【Paper Yield】M101-M106 Black toner cartridge can print up to 1600 pages.(With 5% coverage on A4 paper)
  • 【Quality Assurance】Our premium quality toner can print clear images and text while ensuring the environmental protection of toner.
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  • 【Warm tips】please confirm your printer model and toner cartridge model before placing an order. If you encounter any product problems please feel free to contact us via email.

Microsoft says the tool may uninstall HP Smart only when all of these conditions apply: it finds incorrect metadata, no HP printers or HP printer drivers are installed, and HP Smart was installed after November 25, 2023. The tool is not described as a general HP Smart removal utility.

Supported Windows and Server versions

The Download Center lists Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2019, and Windows Server 2022. The troubleshooter was released in January 2024; the Download Center listing was published July 15, 2024. Check Microsoft’s KB5034510 article for the requirements and instructions specific to your Windows or Server release before running it: KB5034510: Printer Metadata Troubleshooter Tool.

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PSHYYQ Compatible M101-M106 Black Toner Cartridge Works for HP M105-M106 for Laserjet Pro M101-M104 M104a 104w Printer Black 1 Pack
  • This product is not compatible with HP+ enrolled printers
  • Compatible Model: For M101-M106 Printer.
  • High Yield: Per 1,600 pages per Black cartridge(5% coverage of A4 paper).
  • With Chip: Our products are equipped with chips that can be directly used,with strong stability and durability can be ensured.
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What to do on a managed Windows Server

For a server or shared-printer setup, identify the affected host and queue before making changes. Confirm the OS release and driver shown in printer properties, then follow the release-specific directions in KB5034510. Avoid deleting device metadata folders or removing drivers as a blanket fix: Microsoft’s stated remediation is the troubleshooter, and ad hoc cleanup can affect more than the incorrect display information.

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Is this a current Windows incident, or a real HP printer model?

Microsoft’s Windows 10 version 22H2 known-issues page, checked October 7, 2026, does not list this older printer issue among its current known issues. The Microsoft Download Center still describes the January 2024 troubleshooter as the remedy. That supports treating this as a historically documented issue with a published fix, rather than evidence of a new widespread incident in 2026. Windows 10 version 22H2 release health

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M101-M106 Toner Cartridge Replacement for HP M101-M104 M105-M106 M104a
  • ⁜Compatible With Printers:M101-M106 M101-M104 Toner Cartridge for HP M101-M104 M105-M106 M104a Printer with Chip.
  • ⁜Compatible Toner Cartridge Model: M101-M104 M105-M106 M104a toner cartridge, black toner cartridge can print about 3000 pages, (5% coverage of A4 paper may vary depending on the type of use), greatly reducing the need for frequent replacement of toner cartridges, thereby improving work efficiency and saving time.
  • ⁜Enhanced Compatibility Chip: Our product comes equipped with a brand new compatible chip. This chip ensures seamless communication between the Toner Cartridge and the printer. You can print with confidence, knowing that the Toner Cartridge is fully recognized and supported by your printer
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HP LaserJet Pro M101-M104 and LaserJet Ultra M105-M106 are genuine printer models. HP’s guide describes a feature for renaming a network-connected printer through its Embedded Web Server for unique identification. That model-specific feature is separate from Windows assigning incorrect metadata to printers from different manufacturers; buying an HP printer is not a fix for the Windows issue. HP LaserJet Pro M101-M104 and LaserJet Ultra M105-M106 guide

Quick Recap

Best Value
M101-M106 Toner Cartridge Replacement for HP M101-M106 Toner Cartridge,Fit with LaserJet Pro M101-M104 Pro M104a Pro 104w Ultra M105-M106 Printers,1600 Pages,Black-2 Pack
  • ⭐ PRODUCT NAME - Compatible Replacement for HP M101-M106 (Please confirm your printer model before placing an order)
  • ⭐ Model M101-M106 Toner Cartridge Compatible for HP LaserJet Pro M101-M104 Pro M104a Pro 104w Ultra M105-M106 Printer.
  • ⭐ ESTIMATED PAGE YIELD - Black is about 1600 pages (A4 paper 5% coverage) The number of pages printed is based on factors such as: consumable change intervals, paper loading intervals, speed and typical customer usage.
  • ⭐ BRILLIANT PRINTOUTS: It is easy to install and can be quickly recognized and run by all compatible printers - Bright colors, smooth lines and clean pages will be available.
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HP SmartPrinter troubleshootingWindows 10Windows 11Windows Server

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