How to Resolve the "Printer Driver is Unavailable" Error on Windows 10/11 [Recently Fixed]

Printing documents is a routine task in offices for various purposes. Establishing a connection between a computer and a printer necessitates the use of a driver. Occasionally, you might encounter a situation where you're unable to issue a print command, and the problem typically falls under the category of "printer driver is unavailable." To address this issue, this article will provide you with clear steps to resolve the printing problem on your Windows 10/11 device.

Why Does a Printer Driver Error Occur?

Printer issues can be quite extensive and may become unmanageable if not addressed promptly. While this article primarily focuses on exploring the reasons behind an "unavailable printer driver," it's essential to understand why this problem arises on your computer. In this section, we will discuss some reasons that might cause the issue with your printer:

Drivers Missing or Not Installed: There is a good possibility that you might not have installed the printer drivers on your Windows computer. The drivers might be missing from the system due to some reason, leading to connectivity issues with the printer.

Drivers are Incompatible: Another prominent reason for printer driver errors lies in compatibility issues. If the printer does not support the computer device, it becomes impossible to utilize it for printing commands since no compatible drivers will be installed across the devices.

Underlying Windows Update Issue: There is a possibility that a scheduled Windows update might be interfering with your system's proper functioning. Incomplete or pending updates often increase the likelihood of system malfunctions.

Drivers are Not Up to Date: In another situation, you might need to update your printer drivers on Windows 10/11. Due to ongoing updates, it's possible that the device may not function correctly.

How to Resolve the "Printer Driver is Unavailable" Error?

With an understanding of why the printer driver is unavailable on a Windows computer, let's now focus on how to address this issue within your device. The following solutions serve as a guide to help you resolve this problem on your computer: 1. **Update Printer Drivers**: Visit the manufacturer's website and download the latest printer driver compatible with your Windows version. Install it by following the on-screen instructions. 2. **Reinstall Printer Driver**: - Uninstall the existing driver: Go to 'Device Manager,' find your printer, right-click, and select 'Uninstall Device.' Confirm the uninstallation. - Restart your computer. - Install the latest driver: After restart, Windows might automatically detect and install the driver. If not, manually install it from the downloaded file. 3. **Check for Compatibility**: Ensure that your printer model and the driver are compatible with your Windows operating system. If not, upgrade your OS or find a compatible driver. 4. **Run the Printer Troubleshooter**: - Access 'Settings' > 'Update & Security' > 'Troubleshoot.' - Select 'Printer' and run the troubleshooter. Follow its prompts to fix any issues detected. 5. **Enable/Disable Firewall Temporarily**: Sometimes, antivirus software or firewalls can block the driver installation. Disable your firewall temporarily, then try installing the driver again. 6. **Install in Compatibility Mode**: Right-click on the driver setup file, select 'Properties,' then choose the previous version of Windows you had no issues with. Click 'Apply' and 'OK,' then proceed with the installation. 7. **Verify System Requirements**: Make sure your computer meets the minimum system requirements for the printer driver to function correctly. 8. **Reset Printer Spooler**: - Open 'Services' by typing 'services.msc' in the Run dialog box. - Locate 'Print Spooler,' right-click, and choose 'Stop.' - Navigate to 'C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS' and delete all files. - Return to 'Print Spooler,' right-click, and select 'Start.' - Restart your computer and try reinstalling the driver. 9. **Contact Manufacturer Support**: If none of the above solutions work, reach out to the printer manufacturer's customer support for further assistance. By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the issue with the unavailable printer driver on your Windows computer.

1. Uninstall and Reinstall the Printer Driver
2. Update Driver
3. Update Operating System
4. Reconnect the Printer

1.  Uninstall and Reinstall the Printer Driver

You can initially attempt to uninstall and reinstall the printer driver on your computer. Often, there might be no specific reason why the printer drivers are malfunctioning. To proceed with uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers, follow the steps outlined below:

Step 1. You need to access the Windows search icon using the "Windows + S" shortcut key. Type Device Manager to open the corresponding window on your computer.

Step 2. In the list of drivers, navigate to the "Print queues" section to locate your corresponding printer drivers. Right-click on them and choose the "Uninstall device" option to remove the drivers. Proceed with the on-screen instructions to complete this process successfully.

Tap on the "Uninstall Device" option.

Step 3.接下来，你需要在线查找驱动程序，或者连接打印机并按照指定的步骤重新安装打印机驱动程序。

2.  Update Driver

In certain cases, you might need to update your driver to fix any existing issues. The process for this is quite straightforward and basic:

Step 1. You need to access the "Search" icon and look for "Device Manager" to open it in a new window.

Step 2. As it opens, navigate to the "Print queues" section to locate the malfunctioning printer driver. Right-click on the specific printer driver and choose the "Update driver" option.

Step 3. For the following window, you can choose any available options and follow the on-screen instructions to update the drivers successfully.

3. Update Operating System

Issues with the operating system (OS) can indeed cause problems with the printer driver. If you're encountering the issue "printer driver is unavailable" due to your Windows OS, you can try updating it by following these steps: 1. **Access Device Manager**: Click on the Start button, type "Device Manager" in the search bar, and open it. 2. **Expand Print Queues**: In the Device Manager window, locate and expand the "Print queues" or "Printers" category. 3. **Find Your Printer**: Identify your printer from the list and double-click on it to open its Properties. 4. **Update Driver**: In the Properties window, navigate to the "Driver" tab and click on "Update Driver." 5. **Search Automatically**: Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software." Windows will now look for any available updates for your printer driver. 6. **Install Updates**: If an update is found, follow the on-screen instructions to install it. Restart your computer after the installation is complete. 7. **Manually Update**: If Windows fails to find an update, you can visit the manufacturer's website to download the latest driver manually. Ensure you select the correct driver compatible with your Windows version. 8. **Reinstall the Driver**: If updating doesn't work, you may need to uninstall the current driver, restart your PC, and then reinstall the latest driver from the manufacturer's website. After completing these steps, check if the "printer driver is unavailable" issue has been resolved. If the problem persists, there might be other underlying issues that require further troubleshooting.

Step 1. Locate the "Search" icon on the taskbar and type Check for updates in the available search field.

Step 2. On the new screen, click the "Check for updates" button to search for any available operating system (OS) updates. If there are updates, download and install them on your device to potentially fix the problem.

4.  Reconnect the Printer

The final refuge to address the issue of "printer driver is unavailable" is by reestablishing the printer connection. If you possess a Bluetooth printer, you can disable and reactivate the settings on both devices to eliminate any existing glitches. Afterward, if you're using a wired connection, you can disconnect and reconnect the cables to rectify any ongoing issues.

底线，结论

We hope you have found the perfect solution to address your printer issues. If you're encountering the problem of "printer driver is unavailable," this article serves as an ideal guide for you to follow.