How To Fix ‘Printer Driver is Unavailable’ on Windows 10

The printer acts as hardware as well as a software device. It gives the feature to connect with PC either by wire or without wire but sometimes you have encountered the error of printer driver is unavailable on Windows 10.

When you connect the printer with PC you receive a notification by which you know that printer has been successfully linked with PC and ready to work. When the notification doesn’t appear even after linking PC and printer successfully then there might be some error due to which the notification doesn’t pop-up.

Understanding the Printer Driver is Unavailable Error

Before we delve into the details, let’s break down the error message itself:

• “Printer Driver” refers to the software that enables your computer to communicate with and control your printer’s functionality.
• “Unavailable” indicates that the driver necessary for your printer to function correctly is not accessible or has encountered an issue.

Read Also:

1. 500 Internal Server Error
2. IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
3. Origin Online Login Is Currently Unavailable

In simple terms, the “Printer Driver is Unavailable” error occurs when your Windows 10 computer is unable to locate or use the necessary printer driver to communicate with your printer.

Common Symptoms of the Error

When you encounter the “Printer Driver is Unavailable” error on Windows 10, you may experience the following symptoms:

1. Error Message: The primary symptom is the appearance of an error message on your computer screen, indicating that the printer driver is unavailable.
2. Inability to Print: You won’t be able to print any documents, and print jobs may be stuck in the print queue.
3. Printer Not Recognized: Your printer may not be recognized by your computer, making it impossible to select as a printing option.

Now that we understand the symptoms, let’s explore the potential causes of the “Printer Driver is Unavailable” error.

Possible Causes of the Error

To effectively troubleshoot and resolve this error, it’s crucial to identify its underlying causes. Here are some common reasons behind the “Printer Driver is Unavailable” error on Windows 10:

1. Outdated or Corrupted Drivers: Your printer drivers may be outdated, incompatible with Windows 10, or corrupted, causing the error.
2. Windows Update Issues: Recent Windows updates may have disrupted the functionality of printer drivers, leading to the error.
3. Print Spooler Service Problems: Issues with the Windows Print Spooler service, responsible for managing print jobs, can affect printer functionality.
4. Driver Conflicts: Conflicts between multiple printer drivers or incompatible software can lead to driver unavailability.
5. Connection Problems: Physical or network connectivity issues between your printer and computer can result in the error.
6. Malware or Viruses: Malicious software or viruses can corrupt printer drivers or interfere with their operation.
7. Printer Hardware Issues: Problems with your printer’s hardware components, such as cables or cartridges, can impact driver availability.

Now that we’ve identified the potential causes, let’s explore the solutions to fix the “Printer Driver is Unavailable” error:

Method 1: Unplug and Restart the Printer

Some silly mistakes can also cause the unavailable of the printer driver i.e. The wire which you use to connect the printer and computer maybe it is not properly connected is one of the silly mistakes.

You can fix the printer driver error by plug in the wire again after unplugging for 30 seconds and restart the printer is also a wise move to fix the error.

Method 2: Check all the Connection

The wire which you use to connect the printer and computer maybe it is not properly connected. Sometimes it might be the USB port issue in which the cable has been connected so make sure to change the USB port.

You must go for this method as it is a simple and basic method. I hope you can fix the printer driver. if not then don’t worry there are plenty of many methods too.

Method 3: Look for the Wireless Options

If your printer does support the wireless connection option then make sure to check the WIFI of the printer and switch it On in case it is Off for this you can check the instruction and read the manual which comes with the printer.

As it helps you to connect the printer with other devices for example Pc s, mobiles, and tablets. In case you are unable to On the Wi-Fi of the printer, to do so. Check out the manufacture website and follow all steps that have been given on the website to On the Wi-Fi option in your printer.

Method 4: Remove the Printer Driver

It is another simple method, you need to remove the printer driver to fix the error. Sometimes you have seen that printer driver is unavailable on the window in that situation just remove the printer driver, here are some steps to follow:

Step 1: Press the window button option menu appears to display then click on the control panel.

Step 2: Search devices and printer in the control panel, click on it.

Step 3: In the printer tab, click on the remote devices.

Step 4: Then remove the printer driver.

By following these few steps you can remove the Printer Driver, results to fix the error.

Method 5: Reinstall the Printer Driver

Reinstallation is the always better move to fix this error and soon you able to catch the pop on the PC when you connected the printer with PC.

There is a chance the printer device you install did not install due to some of the reasons i.e. missing files, you interrupt the installation process, corrupted files, and Viruses. here I am going to show you some of the steps to fix the error by just re-installing the printer driver.

So the first phase is the removal of the printer driver.

Step 1: Press the window button option menu appears to display then click on the control panel.

Step 2: Search devices and printer in the control panel, click on it.

Step 3: In the printer tab, click on the remote devices.

Step 4: And then remove the printer driver.

In the 2nd phrase, we reinstall the printer driver:

Step 1: Press the window button option menu appears to display then click on the control panel.

Step 2: Search devices and printer in the control panel, click on it.

Step 3: Then click add printer.

Step 4: Make sure to connect the printer and PC

Step 5: Follow the instruction while installing whereas don’t interrupt the installation process for successfully installing the printer driver

I hope this method works and you can fix the printer driver.

Method 6: Refresh with the Latest Printer Driver

Here are some of the latest printer brand which is available on the market and installing the printer driver in your PC before using it otherwise you are not able to get notified of the printer even after connecting the printer and PC.

H.P. Printer Canon Printer Epson Printer Brother Printer Samsung Printer

A. HP Printer Driver

HP stands for Hewlett-Packard, it is one of the prominent brands which start from the US and it provides some of cost-efficient and good quality product moreover you received the genuine printer driver disk from the company itself.

1. Canon Printer driver

The first thing in your mind when you heard canon is the camera so not only they build wonder-full and most moderate cameras they build the camera too. They provide high incentives for cash printers.it also provide various scanning option.

2. Epson printer driver

Epson not only manufactures printer but they also manufacture projectors, whereas the thing they manufacturer stand out from the other market irrespective either it is a printer or projector but according to most of the user they find the Epson printer more problematic issue in the windows than any other printer.

3. Brother Printer

Brother Printer provides one of the most prominent printers in India. They not only provide great quality but also their product possesses (printer) good quality compatible cartridge.

Believe me, if you will buy a printer of this brand you will never regret it as of it, as it provides great build in quality moreover they never compromised the quality of the print.

According to most of the users, they gave positive reviews of this brand and most of them never faced any issue while connecting the printer and computer.

4. Samsung Printer driver

Samsung is a tech brand which is famous for mobiles due to people s’ love they are manufacturing all the tech product some are Printer, mobiles, Ipad, laptop, desktop, headphone, and many other products.

Introduce your printer to your PC by installing the printer driver so that you can successfully connect the PC with the printer.

Method 7: Update window with all available

The regular update makes your window healthy irrespective of your windows version means you can avoid all the missing files, viruses by just updating your windows and sometimes the small error get fixed which included your printer driver issue here are some of the steps for all type of latest windows.

1. Windows 10

It is the latest window which is available in the market. here are some steps to update it

Step 1: Press window button in the search option type “Check for update”.

Step 2: The updates option appears on your display.

Step 3: The updating of the window start by following the instruction and make sure to restart your pc just after updating the window.

2. Window 8

Here are some steps to update window 8

Step 1: Press window button in search option type” Check for update”

Step 2: The updates option appears on your display.

Step 3: The updating of the window start by following the instruction and don’t interrupt the updating process, you can also print the file for your satisfaction.

I hope you can update the windows and hope you fix your error.

Method 8: Utilize troubleshooter

Troubleshooter is one of the solutions to fix error whereas the printer driver error can also be solved by troubleshooter. To go further you need to connect your PC and printer.

Then open “aka.ms/diag_printer10” this link in your web browser and download the dialogue box. Run the troubleshooter and follow the given instruction that has been shown in your display don’t interrupt the process.

Method 9: Reset the Print Spooler

The printer spooler is responsible for all the processes while printing the file. Also, it is responsible for connecting the printer with PC one of the ways is to clear the spooler files followed by resetting. Here I am going to show you a couple of steps to fix the printer driver.

Step 1: Press “window”+ “r” button altogether dialogue box appear in the bottom left corner of the display

Step 2: Type “msc” in the run and press enter

Step 3: The menu appears in your display, find print spooler.

Step 4: Next, disable the service.

Step 5: In the search box; Enter; – %WINDIR%\system32\spool\printers and then delete all the files.

I hope you have done all the steps carefully.

Read Also:

1. Chrome Won’t Open
2. Kernel Security Check Failure
3. ERR_QUIC_PROTOCOL_ERROR

Method 10: Change the status of Printer

If your printer possesses the advanced feature of connecting the printer via Wi-Fi. Then see whether your printer is switched On or Off. In case, it is Off then make sure to switch On.

Make sure to connect the printer and laptop on the same network then you can try to change the status of the printer by following the steps below:

Step 1: Press window button

Step 2: In the search box type “Printer and Scanners”.

Step 3: Select the printer of which you want to change the status and then click on the open queue.

Step 4: In the printer option click on the printer offline.

Step 5: Confirm the following steps so that the status of the printer will be set to be online.

We recommend you to remove all the devices and set up again.

This is all the possible and working method as shown above and I hope one of the methods able to fix the Printer driver. The result is, you can get notified when you connected the printer and PC.

Conclusion

The “Printer Driver is Unavailable” error on Windows 10 can be frustrating, but with a systematic approach to troubleshooting and the appropriate solutions, you can often resolve it and get back to hassle-free printing.

By following these solutions and maintaining a proactive approach to your printer’s drivers and hardware, you can efficiently troubleshoot and fix the “Printer Driver is Unavailable” error, ensuring your printer functions smoothly and reliably with your Windows 10 computer.

FAQs on the “Printer Driver is Unavailable” Error

1. What does the “Printer Driver is Unavailable” error mean?

• The “Printer Driver is Unavailable” error occurs when your computer is unable to communicate with your printer due to a missing, outdated, or corrupt printer driver. This error prevents you from printing documents until the issue is resolved.

2. Why does the “Printer Driver is Unavailable” error occur?

• The error can occur for several reasons:
  • Outdated or incompatible printer driver.
  • Missing or corrupted printer driver files.
  • Incorrect printer installation or driver configuration.
  • Windows update issues, which may cause driver compatibility problems.
  • System registry issues affecting printer functionality.

3. How can I fix the “Printer Driver is Unavailable” error?

• To fix this error, try the following solutions:
  • Update or reinstall the printer driver.
  • Run the printer troubleshooter in Windows.
  • Uninstall and reinstall the printer.
  • Check for Windows updates.
  • Manually download and install the latest driver from the printer manufacturer’s website.

4. How do I update or reinstall the printer driver to fix the error?

• To update or reinstall the printer driver:
  • Open Device Manager by pressing Win + X and selecting Device Manager.
  • Find and expand Printers, right-click on your printer, and select Update driver.
  • Choose Search automatically for updated driver software and follow the prompts.
  • If updating doesn’t work, right-click the printer again and select Uninstall device, then restart your computer. Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver automatically.

5. How do I manually download and install the printer driver?

• To manually install the printer driver:
  • Visit the printer manufacturer’s website (e.g., HP, Canon, Epson, Brother).
  • Find the Support or Downloads section and search for your printer model.
  • Download the latest printer driver compatible with your operating system (Windows 10, 11, macOS, etc.).
  • Install the driver by running the downloaded file and following the installation instructions.
  • Restart your computer after the installation is complete.

6. How do I uninstall and reinstall the printer in Windows?

• To uninstall and reinstall the printer:
  • Open Control Panel and go to Devices and Printers.
  • Right-click on your printer and select Remove device.
  • After removing the printer, restart your computer.
  • To reinstall the printer, go back to Devices and Printers, click Add a printer, and follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall the printer.

7. How do I run the Windows printer troubleshooter to fix the error?

• To run the printer troubleshooter:
  • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
  • Click Additional troubleshooters and select Printer.
  • Click Run the troubleshooter and follow the instructions to diagnose and fix any printer-related issues.

8. Can outdated Windows updates cause the “Printer Driver is Unavailable” error?

• Yes, outdated Windows updates can cause compatibility issues between your operating system and printer drivers. To fix this:
  • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
  • Click Check for updates and install any available updates.
  • Restart your computer and check if the printer driver issue is resolved.

9. How do I check if my printer driver is compatible with my version of Windows?

• To check compatibility:
  • Visit the printer manufacturer’s website and search for your printer model.
  • Look for driver downloads and ensure that the driver you are downloading is compatible with your version of Windows (e.g., Windows 10, 11, 64-bit or 32-bit).
  • If the driver is not compatible, try using a universal driver provided by the manufacturer or check for a firmware update for the printer.

10. Can I use a generic printer driver if the official one is unavailable?

• Yes, you can try using a generic printer driver provided by Windows. To do this:
  • Open Device Manager, right-click on your printer, and select Update driver.
  • Choose Browse my computer for drivers, then select Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
  • Select a generic driver from the list (e.g., Generic Text Only) and follow the prompts to install it.

11. How do I check for corrupt or missing printer driver files?

• To check for missing or corrupt files:
  • Run the System File Checker (SFC) by opening Command Prompt as an administrator and typing:
    bash

    Copy code

    sfc /scannow

  • Press Enter and let the tool scan your system for missing or corrupt files, including printer drivers. If any issues are found, SFC will attempt to repair them.

12. Can antivirus or firewall settings cause the “Printer Driver is Unavailable” error?

• Yes, some antivirus programs or firewall settings may block printer drivers or cause communication issues with the printer. To troubleshoot this:
  • Temporarily disable your antivirus or firewall and see if the printer driver works.
  • If it works, add an exception for the printer software in your antivirus or firewall settings.
  • Be sure to re-enable your security software after testing.

13. What should I do if the “Printer Driver is Unavailable” error occurs on a network printer?

• If you encounter this error with a network printer:
  • Ensure that the printer is properly connected to the network and that your computer is on the same network.
  • Restart both the printer and your router to refresh the network connection.
  • Install the printer driver manually using the Add a printer option in Devices and Printers.

14. How do I reset the print spooler to fix the error?

• Resetting the print spooler can resolve driver and communication issues:
  • Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type the following commands, pressing Enter after each one:
    css

    Copy code

    net stop spooler

    del %systemroot%\System32\spool\printers\* /Q


    net start spooler

  • This will stop the print spooler, delete any stuck print jobs, and restart the spooler. After doing this, try reinstalling the printer driver.

15. What should I do if none of these solutions fix the “Printer Driver is Unavailable” error?

• If none of these solutions work:
  • Contact the printer manufacturer’s support for further assistance.
  • Check community forums for potential solutions specific to your printer model.
  • Consider using a different printer if the current one is outdated and lacks compatible drivers for modern systems.

By following these steps, you can troubleshoot and resolve the “Printer Driver is Unavailable” error, allowing your printer to function correctly and communicate with your computer.