hp-probe

hp-probe [OPTIONS]

-h, --help
    Displays a help message and exits.

-l, --list
    Lists all detected HP devices with their details.

-a, --all
    Probes all supported bus types (USB, network, parallel) for devices. This is often the default behavior.

-b <bus_type>, --bus <bus_type>
    Specifies the bus type to probe. Common types include usb, net (network), and par (parallel).

-i <ip_address>, --ip <ip_address>
    When probing the network bus, specifies a particular IP address to check for an HP device.

-m <model_name>, --model <model_name>
    Specifies a particular device model name to search for.

-u <device_uri>, --uri <device_uri>
    Allows probing a specific device identified by its URI (e.g., usb://HP/Deskjet_3700?serial=... or hp:/net/HP_Printer_Name?ip=...).

-v, --version
    Displays the HPLIP version number and exits.

-d, --debug
    Enables verbose debug output, useful for troubleshooting detection issues.

-t, --test
    Runs the probe in a test mode, often used internally for development or diagnostics.

hp-probe is a utility included in the HPLIP (HP Linux Imaging and Printing) software suite. Its primary function is to automatically detect and identify HP printers, scanners, and multi-function devices connected to a Linux system. It can probe various connection types, including USB, network (wired and wireless), and parallel ports. While not typically run directly by end-users, it is an essential component used by other HPLIP tools like hp-setup (for configuring new devices) and hp-doctor (for diagnosing issues) to locate available HP hardware. The command provides detailed information about detected devices, such as their model, connection URI, and status, facilitating the setup and management of HP peripherals on Linux.

Requires the HPLIP (HP Linux Imaging and Printing) software suite to be installed on the system.
Network probing might require proper firewall rules to allow device discovery (e.g., mDNS/Bonjour).
For USB devices, ensure the necessary kernel modules (like usblp) are loaded and the user has appropriate permissions to access USB devices.

hp-probe is primarily an internal utility called by higher-level HPLIP tools. Users rarely need to execute hp-probe directly. Instead, hp-setup will automatically run hp-probe to find devices during the printer installation process, and hp-doctor may use it to identify connected devices when diagnosing problems. This integration streamlines the user experience for setting up and maintaining HP peripherals.

hp-probe is an integral part of the HPLIP project, which was initiated by HP in 2004 to provide comprehensive printer and scanner support for Linux. Over the years, HPLIP has evolved to support a vast range of HP devices, and hp-probe has remained a core component for device auto-detection, adapting to new connection technologies and device models. Its development is tied directly to the ongoing maintenance and expansion of the HPLIP suite.

hp-setup(1), hp-doctor(1), lpinfo(8)