It is a daily procedure to print out documents in the office for different tasks. To connect a computer to a printer, the need for a driver is essential. There are instances where you fail to put in a command to print the document. In most cases, the issue comes under «printer driver is unavailable.» To counter this, this article presents some explicit methods that explain how to fix this printing issue across your Windows 10/11 device.
Why Does Printer Driver Error Happen?
Problems with printers can go a long way, and they can become too hard to manage if not looked into on time. Although this article puts its focuses on discussing the reasons why printer driver is unavailable, you must know why it occurs on your computer. Thus, in this part, we will be discussing some reasons why the issue occurs with the printer:
Drivers Missing or Not Installed: For this first reason, there is a fair chance that you might have never installed the drivers of the printer on your Windows computer. The drivers are either missing from the computer for some reason, causing issues with connectivity with the printer.
Drivers are not Compatible: Another prominent reason for printer driver error is related to compatibility. If the printer does not support the computer device, there is no chance that you can use it to send printing commands, as no drivers will install across the device that is operable.
Underlying Windows Update: There is a chance that a scheduled Windows update prevents you from operating properly. With such incomplete updates, the chances of system malfunction are prominent.
Drivers are not Up to Date: In another scenario, you might have to update your printer drivers on Windows 10/11. With prevailing updates, there is a chance that the device won’t work properly.
How to Fix Printer Driver is Unavailable Error?
With an understanding of why the printer driver is unavailable in the Windows computer, we will now direct our discussion to how one can fix this issue within their device. The following solutions provide you with a guideline on how you can resolve this problem on your computer.
- Uninstall and Reinstall the Printer Driver
- Update Driver
- Update Operating System
- Reconnect the Printer
1. Uninstall and Reinstall the Printer Driver
You can first seek to uninstall and reinstall the printer driver on your computer. There might be no reason why the printer drivers are not working. To uninstall and reinstall the drivers, you can look into the steps described next:
Step 1. You must access the Windows search icon with the «Windows + S» shortcut key. Type Device Manager to open the respective window on your computer.
Step 2. In the list of drivers, go across the «Print queues» section to find your respective printer drivers. Right-click on them and select the «Uninstall device» option to uninstall the drivers. Follow the on-screen instructions to execute this task successfully.
Step 3. Next, you will have to look for the drivers online or connect the printer and follow the prescribed procedure to install the printer drivers again.
2. Update Driver
In some cases, you may have to update your driver to resolve any present glitches. For this, the procedure is quite simple and basic:
Step 1. You will have to access the «Search» icon and search for «Device Manager» to open it on a new window.
Step 2. As it opens, lead into the «Print queues» section to find your printer driver that is malfunctioning. Right-click on the particular printer driver to select the option of «Update driver.»
Step 3. For the next window, you can select any options and proceed with the on-screen instructions to update the drivers successfully.
3. Update Operating System
Problems in OS might lead to issues with the printer driver. If you are facing the problem of «printer driver is unavailable» due to your Windows OS, you should have it updated by following the steps below:
Step 1. Look for the «Search» icon on the taskbar and type in Check for updates on the available space.
Step 2. On the new screen, click the «Check for updates» button to search for OS updates. If there are any, you can download and install them across your device to resolve the issue.
4. Reconnect the Printer
The last haven you can try to resolve the issue of the «printer driver is unavailable» is by reconnecting the printer. If you own a Bluetooth printer, you can disable and enable the settings across both ends to cast out any glitches present. Following this, if you have a wired connection, you can disconnect and reconnect the wires to resolve any prevailing problems.
Bottom Line
We hope you have figured out the perfect technique for resolving the issues with your printer. If you are facing the problem of the «printer driver is unavailable,» this article is the ideal guide for you to follow.
How to Fix Printer «Driver is unavailable» Error on Windows 11
The “Driver is unavailable” status message indicates that the driver installed for your printer is not compatible, outdated, or corrupted. It can also mean that there’s no driver installed. However, if you have a printer driver installed but still get this error, follow the troubleshooting steps below.
Why Is My Printer Driver Unavailable?
The “Driver is unavailable” status means that the printer driver is missing or the driver is incompatible, corrupted, or outdated. In addition, it may occur due to a bug in Windows. Consequently, your PC doesn’t recognize the driver, and you cannot use the printer.
This error often plagues HP printer users but can occur with other brands, such as Epson and Brother, and so on.
Before trying any of our fixes, if you have a printer such as HP, Epson, Brother, Canon, Samsung, or Sharp, visit the manufacturer’s website and download the latest available drivers.
Video on How to Fix Printer Driver Is Unavailable
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Method 1. Run the Printer Troubleshooter
- Method 2. Reinstall the Printer Driver
- Method 3. Update the Windows Operating System
- Method 4. Install the Generic Printer Driver
- Video on How to Fix Printer Driver Is Unavailable
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Method 1. Run the Printer Troubleshooter
1. Hold down Windows+R keys to open Run.
2. In the Run dialog box, type in msdt.exe /id PrinterDiagnostic and click OK.
3. In the Printer Troubleshooter window, click Next.
4. Select the printer and click Next.
5. The troubleshooter will identify the problem and provide a fix.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Method 2. Reinstall the Printer Driver
1. Right-click Start and click Device Manager.
2. Once in the Device Manager, expand the Printers list, right-click your printer, and click Uninstall device.
3. Mark the Attempt to remove the driver from this device checkbox and click Uninstall.
4. Expand Print queues, right-click your printer if it’s present, and click Uninstall. Close the Device Manager window.
5. Right-click Start and click Apps and Features.
6. Scroll through the list and find your printer’s driver software.
7. Click the ellipsis next to your printer’s driver software and click Uninstall.
8. Click Uninstall again.
9. Disconnect your printer if it’s connected via a USB cable. If your printer is connected via a wireless network, disconnect from your router. Restart your PC (and router, if applicable).
10. After the restart, reconnect your printer and allow Windows to download and install the necessary drivers automatically.
11. If Windows doesn’t connect to your printer automatically, right-click Start and click Settings.
12. Select Bluetooth & devices and click Printers & scanners.
13. Click Add device. When your printer name shows up, click Add device. Windows will download and install the printer driver in the background.
14. Click on your printer.
15. Click Get app in the Printer settings section.
16. Click the Get button and wait for the software to download.
17. Then, select the Scanner settings and click Get scanner app.
19. Click the Get button and wait for the software to download.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Method 3. Update the Windows Operating System
By updating Windows, the Windows update service will also look for and install the latest available drivers for connected external devices, including your printer.
1. Right-click Start and click Settings.
2. In the left pane, select Windows Update.
3. Click Check for updates or Install now if Windows has already checked for updates.
4. Click Restart now when prompted.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Method 4. Install the Generic Printer Driver
If none of the previous methods worked for you, it could be that your PC cannot identify your printer, and it’s stuck as an “Unknown device.” You may fix the “Driver is unavailable” issue by installing a generic printer driver. Installing this driver should allow you to use your printer’s core functions. However, some advanced features will remain unavailable.
1. Right-click Start and click Device Manager.
2. Expand the Printers list, right-click your printer, and click Update driver. If you can’t locate your printer in the Printers section, expand the Other devices list. Your printer might be labeled as “Unknown device.” You will have to guess which unknown device is your printer. Try unplugging your printer and observing which device disappears from the list.
3. Select Browse my computer for drivers.
4. Select Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
5. Select Generic printer device and click Next.
6. Click Close once the driver is installed.
Did this article help? Let us know by commenting below.
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После обновления до Windows 10 с Windows 7 SP1 у меня перестал печатать мой старый принтер Epson, который до этого отлично работал в семерке. На сайте Epson можно скачать только версию драйвера для Windows 7 x64. Для Windows 10 драйвер нет. Я пыталась установить драйвер принтера от Win 7 в Windows 10, но после установки принтер просто не печатает. Можно ли как-то заставить работать мой старенький принтер Epson в десятке?
Ответ
Большинство производителей принтеров регулярно обновляют драйверы печати своих устройств для поддержки последних версий Windows 10. Но о старых моделях принтеров обычно забывают. В результате при переходе с Windows 7 на Windows 10 пользователи обнаруживают, что драйвер принтера, который нормально работал в Windows 7, оказался несовместим с Windows 10. Не выкидывать же из-за это принтер на свалку? В этой статье мы расскажем, как установить в Windows 10 неподдерживаемый драйвер печати от предыдущей версии Windows.
Совет. Перед установкой несовместимого драйвера печати настоятельно рекомендуем поискать на сайте производителя обновленную версию драйвера печати с поддержкой Windows 10. Также попробуйте использовать универсальный драйвер печати от вашего производителя, они обычно поддерживают большое количество оборудования (HP Universal Print Driver, Samsung Universal Print Driver и т.д.).
В качестве примера мы установим драйвер от Windows 7 для довольно старого принтера HP 1125.
- Подключите принтер к компьютеру (через USB, LPT !!, или убедитесь, что принтер доступен по сети).
- Если вы раньше уже пытались установить старую версию драйвера принтера и с ним принтер не печатает, обязательно удалите старый драйвер перед его установкой в режиме совместимости. Удалить драйвер принтера можно в разделе Панель управления -> Устройства и принтеры -> Выберите секцию принтеры и верхнем меню нажмите на «Свойства сервера печати». Перейдите на вкладку «Драйверы», выберите драйвер принтера и нажмите «Удалить». Также удалите программы, которые могли установиться при установке драйвера.
- Щелкните правой кнопкой по установочному файлу с драйвером и выберите «Исправление проблем с совместимостью».
- Выберите пункт «Диагностика программы».
- Отметьте опцию «Программ работала в предыдущих версиях Windows, но не устанавливается или не запускается сейчас» и нажмите Далее.
- Выберите что эта программ раньше работала в Windows 7.
- Нажмите на кнопку Проверить программу
- Программа запросит разрешения на установку.
- Установите программу.
- После окончания установки драйвера убедитесь, что в системе появился новый принтер.
Совет. В Windows 10 x64 запрещена установка неподписанных драйверов. Поэтому если драйвер принтера не подписан, или имеет некорректную цифровую подпись, вам придется самому подписать этот драйвер или загружать Windows 10 в режиме с отключённой проверкой цифровой подписи.
Если у вас отсутствует установочный файл для драйвера принтера, а только набор INF, CAB и DLL файлов:
- Установите драйвер, щелкнув правой кнопкой по INF файлу драйвера и выберите «Установить».
- В панели управления запустите мастер установки нового принтера. После окончания автоматического поиска выберите опцию «Необходимый принтер отсутствует в списке».
- В мастере установки принтера выберите опцию «Мой принтер довольно старый. Мне нужно помощь, чтобы найти его».
- Дождитесь, пока мастер не найдет подключенный принтер (убедитесь, что кабель принтера надежно подключен к компьютеру).
- Выберите принтер, драйвер и попробуйте распечатать тестовую страницу.
Теперь вы можете использовать свой старый принтер (можно даже открыть к нему общий доступ) несмотря на то, что его драйвер официально не поддерживается Windows 10.
Table of contents
- How to Fix Your Printer’s “Driver Is Unavailable” Error on Windows 10 and 11
- Fix 1: Restart your printer
- Fix 2: Check USB/Bluetooth connections
- Fix 3: Run the Windows Printer troubleshooter
- Fix 4: Use your printer manufacturer’s troubleshooting tool
- Fix 5: Apply a Windows update
- Fix 6: Update the printer driver automatically
- Fix 7: Manually update the printer driver
- Fix 8: Remove and reinstall your printer
- Why Does My Printer Say “Driver Is Unavailable”?
- Is Your Printer Driver Unavailable? Not Anymore!
- FAQ
Printer issues rarely take us by surprise—low ink, print jobs stuck in the queue—all eerily familiar. But what if you get an error message saying that your printer driver is unavailable?
What do you do in this situation? Just as the message implies, the reason for the error is almost always linked to driver incompatibility, obsolescence, corruption, or absence.
However, it may also pop up due to other causes, like antivirus interference or firmware glitches. In fact, it can even be an early signal of physical damage from dust, dirt, paper bits, or caked-on ink.
Still, most of the time, the “ Driver is unavailable” printer error boils down to a software issue tied to an outdated or incompatible driver.
If it goes unresolved, you won’t be able to carry out any print jobs. In this article, we’ll break down the reasons for the error on HP, Epson, Canon, and Brother printers and share fixes that will get your printer working again in no time.
How to Fix Your Printer’s “Driver Is Unavailable” Error on Windows 10 and 11
Drivers are small pieces of software that help your hardware communicate with the operating system. Without them, Windows just won’t cooperate—no matter how hard you try.
If you keep getting the “Driver is unavailable” error when you try to print something, there are several solutions you can apply to fix it, so let’s get to it.
Fix 1: Restart your printer
Restarting your printer can be an effective way to resolve a wide range of printer-related issues. Here are some reasons why restarting your printer is important:
- Clearing the printer memory: Printers often have limited memory, and if it becomes overloaded, it can cause errors like “ Driver is unavailable ” or “ Printer isn’t available right now .” Restarting the printer can clear its memory, which can often resolve them.
- Resolving connectivity issues: Sometimes, printers can experience connectivity issues due to network problems or outdated drivers. Restarting your printer can often fix these problems, as it can help to re-establish the connection with your computer or network.
- Resetting configuration settings: If your printer is not working properly due to configuration issues, restarting it can help to reset the settings and resolve the problem.
Overall, restarting your printer can help troubleshoot and fix various printer-related errors. If you are experiencing issues with your printer, it is a good first step to try restarting it before exploring other solutions. To restart your printer, simply turn it off , unplug it from the power source, wait a few seconds, and then turn it back on.
Fix 2: Check USB/Bluetooth connections
A flaky connection can trigger the “ Driver is unavailable” printer error even when your software is up to date. Here’s what you should do to check if that’s the case:
- Make sure your USB (or Ethernet) cable is firmly plugged into both the printer and your PC, and check for kinks, frays, or bent pins that could interrupt data flow.
- Try plugging your printer into a different USB slot to rule out a bad port.
- If you’re on Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, confirm the printer and PC are paired, connected, and within range—and that Bluetooth/Wi-Fi is enabled on both devices.
Once everything’s snug and properly paired, send a test page. If the printer driver unavailable issue was down to a dodgy link, you’ll be back in business.
Also read: Upgrade Your Bluetooth: How to Download, Install, and Update Bluetooth Driver on Your Windows PC
Fix 3: Run the Windows Printer troubleshooter
Windows’ built-in troubleshooter tool can help fix driver problems. Here’s how to run it:
- Open Settings and go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters (Windows 11) or Update & Security > Troubleshoot (Windows 10).
- Find Printer in the list and click Run.
- Follow the prompts and let Windows scan for issues, reset the print spooler, and repair or reinstall drivers as needed.
- Restart your PC or printer if prompted.
In most cases, the troubleshooter clears out whatever was blocking your driver and lets you print without another hitch.
Fix 4: Use your printer manufacturer’s troubleshooting tool
When Windows’ built-in troubleshooter comes up short, OEM utilities can help figure out why your printer driver is unavailable on an HP, Epson, Canon, or Brother device and fix it.
HP Print and Scan Doctor
- Download and run HP Print and Scan Doctor from HP’s support site.
- It’ll automatically detect driver conflicts and spooler and network issues.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to repair or reinstall your HP printer driver.
Epson Software Updater
- Download and run Epson Software Updater to get the latest driver or firmware revision.
- Apply any recommended fixes—sometimes a quick update might help if it was a firmware glitch that made your Epson printer driver unavailable .
Canon My Printer/IJ Network Device Setup Utility
- For local USB models, download and open Canon My Printer and click Troubleshooting.
- For networked devices, fire up the IJ Network Device Setup Utility (or Wi-Fi Connection Assistant) to verify your Canon’s IP settings and driver status.
- Let the wizard repair driver entries and realign your print queue.
Brother’s Full Driver & Software Package
- Download and install Brother’s Full Driver & Software Package from the Download Software page.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to install all bundled drivers, Brother utilities, and any available firmware updates.
- Restart your computer and printer. After rebooting, send a test page—your Brother device should now load its driver correctly and be ready to print without errors.
This fix has proved successful for many users like this guy from Just Answer —they got their Brother printer’s “Driver is unavailable” error resolved after downloading and running the software update. CTA to download driver updater
Fix 5: Apply a Windows update
An outdated operating system is a possible reason for the printer driver becoming unavailable. That’s why you should try to apply the latest Windows updates as soon as they become available. Not only can doing this solve your immediate problem, it can also fix underlying issues you aren’t aware of.
This fix can be especially helpful for HP users—ask Markmisky, an HP Community user, who was unlucky to see that his printer driver is unavailable on his HP OfficeJet Pro 6978.
Removing and reinstalling the printer won’t help, as well as manually downloading the driver.
However, updating Windows and setting up a manual IP did the trick for him.
Here’s how to check for available Windows updates:
- Hit the Windows key on your keyboard to open the Start menu.
- Click the gear icon to open the Settings app.
- Once in Settings, navigate to Windows Update (Windows 11) or Update & Security > Windows Update (Windows 10 .
- Click the Check for updates button.
- Click Download & install if required.
- After Windows downloads and installs all available updates, reboot the system.
- After the reboot, run a test job to see if your printer’s “Driver is unavailable” error is fixed.
Also interesting: Windows Update Troubleshooter: Easily Fixing Windows Update Issues
Fix 6: Update the printer driver automatically
If it’s been a while since you last updated your drivers, now’s the time—outdated drivers often cause the printer driver unavailable error. There’s a good chance your current printer driver is outdated, corrupted, or incompatible. Whatever the reason, updating it can solve this problem.
Usually, this is a smooth process, but performing it manually can get complicated, especially if you have little experience.
And trust me, you don’t want to make it worse by installing the wrong driver. Solution? Use special software for updating drivers —like Auslogics Driver Updater—to save time and effort.
Simply download and install Driver Updater to update all obsolete drivers, including printer, audio, graphics , and other drivers, on your PC to their latest versions with one click or only desired drivers separately.
Also read: [FIXED] “DirectX Failed to Initialize. Please Install the Correct Drivers for Your Video Card”
On top of that, the tool automatically backs up drivers so you can revert the changes if needed, scan drivers for threats, and even help prevent overheating. Alternatively, you can use Windows ’ built-in solution for driver updates—Device Manager— to update the printer driver automatically.
However, keep in mind that, unlike Auslogics Driver Updater, it will not guarantee you’ll get the latest and compatible driver for your device.
Should you proceed with Device Manager, follow these steps:
- Hold down the Windows key and press X.
- Select Device Manager.
- Locate the printer you wish to install drivers for. You can find it under Printers or Print queues. If the printer driver isn’t functioning properly, you might find it under Unknown devices or Other devices.
- Right-click your printer and select Update driver.
- On the next window, select the Search automatically for drivers option.
Windows will search online and download the drivers if it finds them. Whether you use Auslogics Driver Updater or Device Manager , reboot your PC after the driver update .
Download Auslogics Driver Updater
Prevent hardware errors and ensure problem-free device operation with this advanced tool that detects outdated drivers and safely gets them updated.
Fix 7: Manually update the printer driver
If the automatic method doesn’t work for you or you’re a DIY adept, you can install the printer driver manually. Why? For instance, Epson printer users, like this guy on Reddit , can sometimes face the “ Driver is unavailable ” error due to an incompatible driver (especially for older printers), which gets resolved by downloading the correct one directly from their website.
Those using older Canon printers may also find this fix helpful— this Reddit user can vouch for that. They managed to trick Windows by manually downloading the driver designed for another OS, and it worked! To install the driver manually, you must know the brand and model of your printer to choose the correct driver to download.
First, find your printer’s model. Check its surface for any identifying labels or go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers. Locate your printer and note its manufacturer and model.
In Windows 11, you’ll be redirected to the Printers & scanners section of the Settings app. Click on your printer, and then click Printer properties to find the needed information.
Next , you’ll need to go to your printer manufacturer’s support page, locate the precise driver you need, and download and install it. Here is the overview of the process for HP, Epson, Canon, and Brother printers:
| Brand | Steps to update the driver |
|---|---|
| HP |
|
| Epson |
|
| Canon |
|
| Brother |
|
To illustrate, here’s how you’d update the driver for an HP LaserJet Pro MFP M428fdw:
- Go to the HP Printer Drivers & Software Download portal and search for LaserJet Pro MFP M428fdw.
- Make sure your OS is recognized correctly and click Get Product Support.
- Click Software & Drivers.
- Expand Basic Drivers and click Download next to the latest available driver.
- Double-click the downloaded file and follow the prompts.
- After installation finishes, restart both your computer and printer and check if your printer’s “Driver is unavailable” error is resolved.
What if the driver doesn’t install properly?
If the driver won’t cooperate and install properly, try these steps:
- Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand Printers or Print queues, right-click your printer, and select Update driver.
- On the next window, select Browse my computer for drivers.
- Click the Browse button and navigate to the folder with your previously downloaded driver. Click OK and then Next.
- When Windows finishes installing the file for you, reboot your computer and test your printer to see if the issue is fixed.
- If you get the The best drivers for your device are already installed message, just skip to the next fix.
Fix 8: Remove and reinstall your printer
The final solution to solve the printer driver unavailable issue we’re going to try today is removing and then reinstalling your printer. This will remove the printer’s drivers from your PC, giving it a fresh start. This might take a bit of time, but the reward will likely be worth the effort.
- Open Control Panel on your computer and set the view mode to Category.
- Click the View devices and printers link under Hardware and Sound.
- You will find your printers and other devices here. Right-click the printer and select Remove device. Click Yes if a UAC prompt shows up.
- In Windows 11, when you click View devices and printers, you’ll be redirected to Printers & scanners in the Settings app. Click on your printer and select Remove in the upper right corner.
- Next, open Device Manager, locate your printer, right-click it, and select Uninstall device. If you don’t see the device here, don’t worry; it means it’s been successfully removed after performing the previous steps.
- Go to Control Panel > Uninstall a program. Look for any printer applications here and uninstall them all.
- You can now disconnect your printer from the computer. Remove the plug if it’s a USB connection or disconnect it from the router. Shut everything (PC, printer, router) down and turn off the power supply to all of them.
- Wait for around 10 minutes, then plug everything back in and reconnect all the devices. Your PC should detect the printer and install the needed drivers.
Once the printer starts working again, you can set it as your default printer. Return to Devices and Printers as shown above, right-click the printer, and select Set as default printer. For Windows 11, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners , turn off Let Windows manage my default printer, then select your printer and click Set as default.
Download Auslogics Driver Updater
Prevent hardware errors and ensure problem-free device operation with this advanced tool that detects outdated drivers and safely gets them updated.
Why Does My Printer Say “Driver Is Unavailable”?
Sometimes, the printer driver unavailable issue can be linked to an OS upgrade. Users who recently made the jump to Windows 10/11 from an earlier version may find that the process damaged some device drivers. Your printer or its driver might also be incompatible with your current Windows version.
This happened by design on the part of Microsoft. Unlike earlier versions, Windows 10/11 doesn’t have backward compatibility with certain devices. If your printer happens to be one of them, your options are limited to downgrading your OS or getting a new printer.
This error can also happen when the printer driver isn’t installed at all. Some plug-and-play printers may actually require manual driver installation. The driver could have also been mistakenly deleted by your security software. It could also be installed incorrectly, meaning neither the printer nor the OS is able to interact with it.
In rare cases, you may experience the “Driver is unavailable” printer error because of a corrupted file or driver. This becomes more complicated if the driver in question is the latest version you can use. You may need to downgrade or uninstall it and hope it works.
So, why does my printer say the driver is unavailable ? The possible causes of this error message are the following:
- Outdated drivers: If your computer has outdated printer drivers, it may not be able to recognize the new printer you are trying to connect. In this case, you may need to update the printer drivers to resolve the issue.
- Corrupted drivers: If the printer drivers on your computer are corrupted, they may not be able to communicate with the actual hardware, and you may face the printer driver unavailable issue.
- Hardware conflicts: If your computer has hardware conflicts, it cannot communicate with the new device, resulting in an error message.
- Missing driver files: If the printer driver files are missing, damaged, or deleted from your computer, you may receive the “ Driver is unavailable ” error message when trying to use the printer.
- Incorrect driver installation: If the printer driver is not installed correctly, Windows may not be able to interact with the printer.
- Faulty hardware: If the printer itself is faulty, it may not be able to communicate with your computer, and the printer’s “Driver is unavailable” error message can pop up.
- Incompatible or damaged printers: Your printer may not be compatible with Windows 10 /11 or may be malfunctioning. This could be due to a hardware issue, such as a broken part or an electrical issue.
- Software conflict: If you have recently installed any new software, this can also result in the Windows 10/11 “ Driver is unavailable ” error message, as the new software may not be compatible with your printer.
- Antivirus or firewall interference: If you have an overly vigilant antivirus or firewall, they may be blocking the printer driver, recognizing it as malware.
Is Your Printer Driver Unavailable? Not Anymore!
Having your printer driver unavailable can be upsetting, but don’t let it ruin your day! Start small—restart your PC and check connections—and then move on to other troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, and you’ll have your printer back online before you know it.
Which fix has worked for you? Share it in the comments below!
FAQ
- Open Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers (Windows 10) or Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners (Windows 11).
- Click Print server properties , go to the Drivers tab, select your printer driver, click Remove , then select Remove driver and driver package , and click OK.
- In Device Manager, uninstall the printer under Print queues, then reboot. Windows will reload a fresh driver.
A USB-only printer often points to network or wireless setup issues. Try these steps:
- Ensure the PC and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Run the network troubleshooter: Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Network and Internet > Run (Windows 11) or Settings > Network and Internet > Status > Network troubleshooter (Windows 10).
- Use your printer’s built-in wireless setup wizard or the OEM utility to re-enter your Wi-Fi credentials.
- Reserve a static IP for the printer in your router to prevent DHCP changes.
- Ensure no network isolation or client-isolation setting is blocking printer traffic in your firewall/router settings.
Factory resetting clears all custom configuration (network, preferences, leader pages) and reverts your printer to its out-of-box state. Exact menus vary by brand, but the general process involves going through the printer’s control panel:
- Go to Setup , Menu , or Settings .
- Click Maintenance , Tools , or System Setup .
- Select Restore Defaults , Reset All Settings , or Factory Reset .
Alternatively, launch your OEM’s desktop app, go to the Settings or Tools section, and select Restore Factory Settings .