hp-plugin

hp-plugin [OPTIONS]

-g, --gui
    Launches the graphical user interface for plugin installation. This is the default if a display environment is detected.

-c, --cli
    Forces the command-line interface for plugin installation, even if a graphical environment is available.

-i, --install
    Initiates the plugin installation process. This is often implied when the command is run without other specific actions.

--check
    Checks for missing or outdated plugins for the currently installed HPLIP version and connected devices.

--plugin <file>
    Specifies the path to an already downloaded plugin file for offline installation. Useful when an internet connection is not available.

-f, --force
    Forces the installation or re-installation of the plugin, even if it's already present or appears to be up-to-date.

--skip
    Skips asking for user confirmation during the installation process, making it non-interactive. Use with caution.

--dry-run
    Simulates the plugin installation process without making any actual changes to the system. Useful for testing.

-h, --help
    Displays a help message and exits, showing available options.

-v, --version
    Displays the HPLIP version installed on the system and exits.

The hp-plugin command is an essential utility within the HPLIP (HP Linux Imaging and Printing) software suite. While HPLIP provides open-source drivers for a wide range of HP printers and multi-function devices, some advanced functionalities (such as certain scanner features, fax capabilities, or specific device firmwares) rely on proprietary, closed-source binary plugins. hp-plugin automates the process of downloading, installing, and managing these necessary proprietary components. It typically checks for the correct plugin version required by your installed HPLIP version and connected HP device, ensuring seamless integration and full functionality for your HP hardware on Linux. It can be run interactively to guide the user through the installation, often requiring an internet connection to fetch the plugins.

Requires an active internet connection for automatic plugin download, unless using the --plugin option with a locally available file.
Must be run with root or sudo privileges to install plugins into system directories.
The installed plugin version must precisely match the installed HPLIP driver version to ensure compatibility and correct functionality.
The plugins are proprietary binary files provided by HP, which some users might consider a limitation in an otherwise open-source environment.

For systems without an internet connection, you can manually download the required plugin file (typically from the HP Developer website for HPLIP) and then use the --plugin <file> option to install it. Ensure the downloaded plugin version matches your HPLIP installation.

To successfully install the proprietary plugins into system directories, hp-plugin must be executed with root privileges. This is commonly done by prefixing the command with sudo (e.g., sudo hp-plugin).

It is critical that the version of the proprietary plugin matches the version of your installed HPLIP drivers. Mismatched versions can lead to functionality issues or installation failures. hp-plugin generally handles this automatically when downloading, but it's a key consideration for manual installations.

The hp-plugin utility has been an integral part of the HPLIP project since its early days, emerging from the necessity to support advanced features of HP devices that could not be fully implemented with open-source drivers alone. As HP continued to release new printer and multi-function models, some requiring proprietary firmware or specific algorithms, hp-plugin became the designated tool to bridge this gap, ensuring that Linux users could achieve full functionality from their HP hardware. Its development closely tracks the evolution of HPLIP, adapting to new device requirements and distribution environments over more than two decades.

hp-setup(1), hp-check(1), hp-info(1), hplip(7)