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.
Contents
- 1 Understanding the Printer Driver is Unavailable Error
- 2 Common Symptoms of the Error
- 3 Possible Causes of the Error
- 4 Method 1: Unplug and Restart the Printer
- 5 Method 2: Check all the Connection
- 6 Method 3: Look for the Wireless Options
- 7 Method 4: Remove the Printer Driver
- 8 Method 5: Reinstall the Printer Driver
- 9 Method 6: Refresh with the Latest Printer Driver
- 10 Method 7: Update window with all available
- 11 Method 8: Utilize troubleshooter
- 12 Method 9: Reset the Print Spooler
- 13 Method 10: Change the status of Printer
- 14 Conclusion
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.
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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:
- Error Message: The primary symptom is the appearance of an error message on your computer screen, indicating that the printer driver is unavailable.
- Inability to Print: You won’t be able to print any documents, and print jobs may be stuck in the print queue.
- 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:
- Outdated or Corrupted Drivers: Your printer drivers may be outdated, incompatible with Windows 10, or corrupted, causing the error.
- Windows Update Issues: Recent Windows updates may have disrupted the functionality of printer drivers, leading to the error.
- Print Spooler Service Problems: Issues with the Windows Print Spooler service, responsible for managing print jobs, can affect printer functionality.
- Driver Conflicts: Conflicts between multiple printer drivers or incompatible software can lead to driver unavailability.
- Connection Problems: Physical or network connectivity issues between your printer and computer can result in the error.
- Malware or Viruses: Malicious software or viruses can corrupt printer drivers or interfere with their operation.
- 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.
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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.
