Printer driver is unavailable

Moderate≈ 15-30 min

Quick answer

“Driver is unavailable” is a Windows status that points to the driver installed for your printer. Update it from Printers & scanners, or download the driver that matches your Windows version and 32-bit or 64-bit system from the printer maker. If the status stays, remove the printer, restart the PC and add it again.

Basic checks first

  • You know your Windows edition, version and system type (32-bit or 64-bit): Start › Settings › System › About.
  • The printer is turned on, and its USB cable is properly connected to the PC, or its wireless option is on.
  • The PC is on the same network as the printer, including when you use extenders, access points or several routers with separate SSIDs.
  • Note whether the status appeared after a Windows upgrade, a Windows update or a new driver: Microsoft lists all three as triggers for driver compatibility problems.

Step-by-step by operating system

01Restart the printer and the PCTurn off the printer and wait 10 seconds. Restart your PC, turn the printer back on and try printing again. Microsoft lists this restart as a fix for temporary driver or service issues.
02Run the printer troubleshooter (Windows 11)On Windows 11, run the automated printer troubleshooter in the Get Help app. It runs diagnostics and tries to fix the problem on its own. If it does not, continue with the driver steps below.
03Update the driver through WindowsSelect Start › Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners. Select your printer, then Manage, then Update driver, and follow the on-screen instructions. Try printing again.
04Install a compatible driver from the printer makerIf Windows can’t find a suitable driver, go to the manufacturer’s support website, search for your printer model and download the driver that matches your Windows version and your system type (32-bit or 64-bit). Install it and restart the PC. Avoid drivers marked for older or unsupported Windows versions unless no newer driver exists. On some ARM PCs the maker’s installer fails; Microsoft says to add the printer through Windows Settings instead.
05Remove the printer and add it againIn Printers & scanners, select the printer, then Remove, and confirm with Yes. Restart the PC, return to Printers & scanners and add the printer (Add device or Refresh). If it is not listed, choose Add manually. For a USB printer, pick Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings, use the existing USB port, then choose Have Disk if you have the maker’s disc or Windows Update to pick the manufacturer and model. If Windows asks which driver version to use, Microsoft recommends Replace the current driver unless you are sure the installed one is correct. Finish with Print a test page.
06Roll back a recent driver updateIf the status started after a driver update, select Start, type Device Manager and open it. Expand Printers or Print queues, right-click your printer and select Properties. On the Driver tab select Roll Back Driver, if the button is available, then restart the PC.
07Clear and reset the print spoolerSearch the taskbar for services and open Services. Double-click Print Spooler, select Stop and OK. Search for %WINDIR%\system32\spool\printers, open the PRINTERS folder and delete all files in it. Back in Services, open Print Spooler, select Start, set Startup type to Automatic and select OK.
08Do a clean install (community advice)A volunteer moderator on Microsoft Q&A suggests this when reinstalling over the old setup keeps failing: unplug the USB cable if the printer is wired, uninstall the printer software in Settings › Apps › Apps and Features, delete the printer and any scanner or fax with the same name in Control Panel › Devices and Printers, and restart. Then download the latest full software package from the model’s support page, check for newer firmware, and run the Setup file as administrator. With USB, the installer prompts you when to plug the printer in.

Fixes by connection type

USB

Make sure the USB cable is properly connected from the printer to the PC. For a clean install, unplug it first and plug it back in only when the maker’s setup asks for it. If Windows does not recognise the USB connection, use Microsoft’s USB troubleshooting article.

Wi-Fi

Check that the printer’s wireless option is turned on and run its wireless connectivity test from the printer menu, as described in its manual or on the maker’s website. The PC must be on the same network (SSID) as the printer.

Differences by brand

HPIn the Microsoft Q&A thread, an HP owner deleted the printer and its associated fax entry, restarted, then installed HP’s Full Feature Software and Drivers from HP’s website. Setup completed and Windows could connect to the printer again. The printer’s web page, opened at its IP address, showed the firmware version.
Canon, Epson, BrotherDownload the driver from the maker’s support website for your exact model, matching your Windows version and 32-bit or 64-bit type, then restart the PC. If the maker’s installer fails on an ARM PC, add the printer through Windows Settings.

Decision tree

Did it start after a Windows upgrade, an update or a new driver?Install a driver made for your Windows version from the maker. If a driver update triggered it, roll back the driver in Device Manager.
Does the printer still print from a phone or another computer?Then the printer and network are working. Focus on the driver and the printer entry on this Windows PC.
Did Update driver in Printers & scanners fix it?If not, download the driver for your model, Windows version and 32-bit or 64-bit type from the manufacturer, install it and restart.
Still “Driver is unavailable” after removing and re-adding the printer?Clear the print spooler, then do a clean install: uninstall the printer software, delete the printer and its scanner or fax entries, restart, and install the latest full package as administrator.

Frequently asked questions

What does “printer driver is unavailable” mean?

Windows still lists the printer, but the status points to its driver. Microsoft links driver compatibility problems to Windows upgrades, Windows updates and drivers not designed for your Windows version. The printer itself may be fine: in one Microsoft Q&A case it kept printing from an iPhone.

How do I fix “printer driver is unavailable” on Windows 11?

Go to Start › Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners, select the printer, then Manage and Update driver. If that fails, install the maker’s driver for your Windows version and 32-bit or 64-bit type, then remove the printer, restart and add it again.

Is the fix different on Windows 10?

Microsoft’s driver compatibility article applies to both Windows 10 and Windows 11. The same approach works: confirm your version and system type, update or reinstall the driver, remove and re-add the printer, and roll back the driver in Device Manager if a recent update caused it.

Why does my HP printer say “driver is unavailable”?

It is the same Windows driver status, not an HP printer error. In a Microsoft Q&A thread about an HP printer, reinstalling drivers over the old setup did not help; deleting the printer and its fax entry, restarting and installing HP’s Full Feature Software and Drivers got Windows connecting again.

My Epson, Canon or Brother printer says the driver is unavailable. What do I do?

Use the same Windows steps. Download the driver for your exact model from the maker’s support website, matching your Windows version and 32-bit or 64-bit type, install it and restart. If it persists, remove the printer and add it again.

The driver became unavailable after a Windows update. Can I undo it?

If it started after a driver update, open Device Manager, expand Printers or Print queues, open your printer’s Properties and select Roll Back Driver on the Driver tab, if available. Restart the PC afterwards.

Should I install a driver for an older Windows version?

Microsoft advises against drivers marked for older or unsupported Windows versions unless no newer driver is available for your printer.

The printer is unavailable on my PC but prints from my phone. Why?

That means the printer and network work and the problem sits in Windows. Update or reinstall the driver, and if needed remove the printer entry and add it again.

PrinterErrors editorial team

Last updated · Content is independent and not sponsored by any manufacturer.

Sources & methodology

Spotted something inaccurate? Report a content issue