10 Ways To Fix Printer Driver Is Unavailable On Windows 10

Printer Driver is Unavailable: Regardless of whether you use your PC in an office space or at home for school or some ventures, having a printer can be exceptionally valuable. There are many cases for a printer to be used regardless of what sort of things you are doing on your PC.

Moreover, like other hardware associated with your Windows, your printer needs a driver to work correctly. The users confront an issue saying the printer driver is inaccessible. One must be aware of the significance of printer drivers in Windows.

Keep reading to learn the easiest 10 ways to fix a printer driver unavailable on windows 10 issue!

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How exactly does the printer driver operate? 

A printer driver is software that helps communication between your computer and a printer. When you send a print command from your computer, the driver translates it into a form that the printer can understand and then sends the translated data to the printer. The driver also enables the printer to send status information back to the computer, such as whether it is out of paper or has a paper jam.

Printer drivers come in different versions for operating systems, such as Mac, Linux, and Windows. The printer will only function properly if the appropriate driver is installed for your operating system and printer model.

What is Printer Driver Unavailable Error?

Printer Driver is Unavailable error is fundamental among Windows users, as a result of which one begins facing issues while printing. This problem implies that you don’t have any printer driver on your PC, which may not generally be the situation. Instead, some of the time, it may be caused because of some different issues in Windows.

For most, Printer Driver is Unavailable error occurs if the printer driver you introduced on your PC is either obsolete or corrupt. Because of that, your printer won’t follow the information which is to be printed. Aside from that, Windows itself can have a few issues which may clash with the printer driver installed in your device.

The Cause Of The Printer Driver Unavailable Error

You might be experiencing a “printer driver is unavailable” error for several reasons. Some common causes include:

• The printer driver needs to be installed properly or updated. In this case, you must install your printer’s driver and operating system or update the existing driver to the latest version.

• Your PC and printer are not properly linked. Ensure the printer is switched on and the cord securely connects to the PC.
• If the issue persists after restarting the printer, there is a hardware issue.

• Restart your computer.

I hope this helps! If you are still experiencing the error after trying these troubleshooting steps, consult the printer’s manual or contact the manufacturer for further assistance.

Subsequently, below is a full guide with the most proficient method to fix printer driver unavailable on Windows.

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10 Ways To Fix Printer Driver Is Unavailable On Windows

Method #1 Unplug and Restart the Printer

Sometimes recycling your printer with its original power can resolve the Printer Driver is Unavailable issue. Turn off the printer and unplug it, wait for 30 seconds, plug it back into the system, and then turn it back on.

Method #2 Check all the Connections

Ensure all the printer’s cables are correctly connected to the PC. If the system doesn’t recognize the USB, fix Windows USB problems. If your USB isn’t known, automatically diagnose and fix Windows USB problems using the link, https://support.microsoft.com.

Method #3 Look for the Wireless Options

Check the wireless connection if you have a wireless printer. You must check if the printer’s wireless option is turned on and available. Printers have a button displaying a blue icon when a wireless connection option is possible for the printer.

See the instructions booklet that came with the printer. If this doesn’t help, check the manufacturer’s website and follow the directions.

Test the printer’s wireless connectivity mentioned in the menu option. If you still have problems, your PC might not be connected to the wireless network.

See Also: Fix: Epson Printer Won’t Print Black And White Without Color Ink

Method #4 Remove the Printer Driver

Sometimes we go deep into fixing a problem and don’t realize that the issue might be basic and requires just a click to be solved. If the printer driver is unavailable on windows, try to remove the device from your PC.

In the Start button, navigate to Settings > Devices  > Printers & Scanners. Under Printers & scanners, look for a printer, and then choose Remove device.

Method #5 Reinstall the Printer Driver

Do the whole reinstallation process to fix your printer driver error. It begins with first uninstalling the currently installed printer driver on your computer and then simply installing the latest version of the printer driver by following the given steps.

Hit Windows Key + X on the keyboard, leading to the Device Manager’s opening. Now locate your printer device by right-clicking on it and selecting uninstall.

It will remove all the corrupted printer driver files. Now you can open the printer driver installer file you can download online. Follow the instructions to install the printer drivers successfully and once the process is complete, restart your PC and ensure the printer drivers are working correctly.

Method #6 Refresh with the Latest Printer Driver

Different brands have different printer drivers, and one cannot use the driver for one brand with a printer from a different one. Following are some of the latest printer drivers of significant brands.

A. HP Printer Driver

HP is one of the most prominent printer brands; as a rule, it works impeccably with Windows. In some cases, at a point, you may keep running into issues like the printer driver is inaccessible. If you are utilizing an HP printer with your PC and wish to reinstall its driver, you will require its driver to be introduced.

B. Canon Printer Driver

Aside from being famous for its cameras, Canon is likewise known for making printers for Windows clients. They make one of the most moderate and high incentives for cash printers for the ordinary shopper.

Furthermore, much like some other brands of printers, Canon printers additionally expect you to have a legitimate printer driver introduced on your Windows PC.

C. Epson Printer Driver

Epson is a brand that manufactures items like printers, projectors, etc. Moreover, it stands amongst other performing printers and can contrast with other enormous brands in the printer business. While Epson has outstanding amongst other equipment in any printer out there, you may even now confront the printer driver is a problematic issue in Windows.

D. Brother Printer Driver

Brother is a printer brand that makes the top of line printers that offer a ton of highlights and extraordinary unwavering quality to the client. Along these lines, Brother Printers infrequently come up short while performing printing activities using Windows.

If you won’t, almost certainly utilize your Brother printer and the majority of its valuable and convenient highlights on the off chance that you face the printer driver is difficult to issue in Windows.

E. Samsung Printer Driver

Samsung is a leading tech goliath brand, which additionally happens to make purchaser-grade printers. What’s more, you can discover nearly the equivalent, if worse, quality and highlights in Samsung printers when contrasted with different brands. Similarly, as you would anticipate from some other printers, Samsung printers additionally need you to have a legitimate printer driver introduced on your Windows.

Method #7 Update Windows with all Available Options

Regularly updating your windows is essential to ensure every device on your PC works correctly. Sometimes, printer issues lie in the Windows, not in the driver. The best way to get rid of all the errors and bugs in your computer is to get the latest update of Windows.

A. Windows 10

1. In the Start menu got to update. After that, click Check for updates.

2. Windows will then install the updates automatically. After that, restart your computer and try to print a file to see if your printer works.

B. Windows 8

1. Click Start, choose update in the search box, and navigate to check for and Install updates.

2. After all the updates have been installed, restart your computer and try printing a file for satisfaction.

Method #8 Utilize the Troubleshooter

Utilize the Troubleshooter to fix the unavailability of the printer driver by downloading the printing troubleshooter and further running it. It sets by installing and connecting to a printer. Open the following link, ‘’aka.ms/diag_printer10‘’on the browser page and download the dialog box.

Select Open and follow the steps provided. If the link doesn’t open the Troubleshooter, enter the Printing problem in the search box on the taskbar. After that, Select Printing problem and then select Troubleshooter. Download it and follow the steps one by one mentioned it.

Method #9 Reset the Print Spooler

The print spooler manages the whole process. One can clear spooler files followed by resetting them. To do so, proceed one by one with the steps given below.

1. Look for the search box on the taskbar, select Services in the results list, Navigate to the Standards tab, and double-click Print Spooler in the services. Select Stop, and then select OK.
2. In the search box; Enter; – %WINDIR%\system32\spool\printers.
3. In the list of results, Select %WINDIR% \system32\spool\PRINTERS, and delete all the files.
4. Once again, look for the search box on the taskbar, select Services in the list of results, and double-click Print Spooler in the services on the taskbar. Select Start by selecting Automatic in the Startup Type box, then choose OK.

Method #10 Change the Status of the Printer

If your printer displays an “offline” status, try the following steps to get the printer back online. Check if the printer is on and connected to your system’s Wi-Fi network, and run the printer power cycle. In the menu, Set your printer as the default printer by clearing the print queue. Reset the options that manage the printing queue, remove your printer from the device, and re-add again.

FAQs

Why does my printer say a driver is unavailable?

After the printer has restarted, try once more. Plug the printer back to see whether it works this time. Take remove the plug for the printer from the outlet. Check the printer's setup and network connection on your computer.

How do I make sure my printer find?

Pick a scanner or printer to add from the Add printers and scanners area. Select Add Device after selecting the printer of your choice. If you need help finding the printer you're searching for, click The printer I want isn't listed.

Can a printer use without installing any software?

Most printers today don't even require specific software. This implies that you should use a USB cable to connect the printer, install a minimal driver, and you'll be ready to start printing right away. Implement a USB by doing the following: Ensure that the computer and printer are turned on and hooked in.

What does a printer indicate when the driver is unavailable?

You can get the Driver Unavailable error because of a faulty file or an incompatible driver. Fortunately, if you approach it methodically, this is simple to resolve. You only need to check for Windows updates and install the most recent printer driver.

Conclusion

You probably identified the source of the printer issue and selected the most effective solution by carefully reading and using the advice in the article. Your printer driver has to be updated, reinstalled, or replaced to resolve the “Printer driver is unavailable” issue.

However, if you are still facing an issue while installing the printer driver, you must contact customer service on your computer, and they will resolve it. 

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