How to Fix Your Printer’s “Driver is unavailable” Error on Windows

In an age where technology plays a crucial role in both personal and professional environments, printers remain a staple device essential for various tasks. However, a recurring issue many users face is the printer’s “Driver is unavailable” error. This perplexing notification can be quite frustrating, especially when you need to print important documents. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and resolve this issue on Windows. In this extensive guide, we will explore the causes of this error, detailed troubleshooting steps, and tips on preventing it in the future.

Understanding Printer Drivers

Before diving into solutions, it’s essential to understand what printer drivers are and why they are vital for your printer’s performance. A printer driver is a piece of software that enables your computer to communicate with your printer. It acts as a translator, converting data into a format that your printer can understand. Without the correct driver, your printer may not function at all or may throw up various error messages, including “Driver is unavailable.”

Causes of the “Driver is unavailable” Error

Outdated Drivers: One of the most common reasons for this error is outdated or incompatible printer drivers. With regular Windows updates and new printer models, the drivers may become obsolete.
Corrupted Driver Files: Sometimes, the driver files might get corrupted due to improper installation or interference from other software, causing the printer not to recognize them.
Windows Updates: Occasionally, a Windows update may remove the existing printer drivers or inadvertently cause compatibility issues.
Connection Issues: If your printer is not connected correctly—whether via USB, network, or wireless—this can also lead to driver-related errors.
Wrong Printer Configuration: If multiple printers are installed on your system, a wrong configuration can lead to the selection of an incorrect driver.

Basic Troubleshooting Steps

When faced with the “Driver is unavailable” error, you may want to start with these fundamental troubleshooting steps:

1. Check Printer Connections

Before delving into software-related fixes, check your printer’s physical connection:

Wired Printers: Ensure the USB cable is securely plugged into both the printer and the computer. Try using a different USB port or cable if possible.
Network Printers: Confirm that the printer is connected to the same network as your computer. Restart both the printer and your router to refresh the connection.

2. Restart Your Devices

A simple reboot can often resolve temporary issues. Restart your computer and printer to clear out any glitches in the connection.

3. Set Your Printer as Default

Setting the correct printer as the default can sometimes resolve conflicts.

Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
Ensure the correct printer is set as the default.

Updating the Printer Driver

If basic troubleshooting doesn’t resolve the problem, the next step is to update or reinstall your printer driver. Follow these steps to do so:

1. Visit the Manufacturer’s Website

Go to the official website of your printer manufacturer (HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, etc.). Look for the support section where you can download the latest drivers.

Identify Your Printer Model: Make sure you know your printer’s exact model to avoid downloading the incorrect driver.
Download the Latest Driver: Locate the latest driver compatible with your version of Windows (32-bit or 64-bit). Download the driver to your computer.

2. Uninstall the Existing Driver

To prevent conflicts, uninstall the current driver before installing the new one:

Open the Control Panel.
Navigate to Devices and Printers.
Right-click on your printer and select Remove device.
Next, go to Device Manager. (Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.)
Find the printer under Printers or Print Queues, right-click on it, and choose Uninstall device.

3. Install the New Driver

Locate the downloaded driver file and double-click it to start the installation process. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation. Once done, restart your computer to finalize the installation.

4. Add the Printer Again

After rebooting, add your printer back to the system:

Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
Click on Add a printer or scanner and let Windows search for your printer. Follow any additional prompts to complete the setup.

Using Windows Update to Fix Driver Issues

In some cases, you can resolve driver issues using Windows Update, which can also search for the latest drivers:

Open Settings (Windows + I).
Click on Update & Security and then select Windows Update.
Click on Check for updates. Download and install any available updates.

Using the Printer Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically diagnose and fix common printing errors. To access this feature:

Open Settings.
Select Update & Security, then click on Troubleshoot.
Click on Additional troubleshooters.
Find and run the Printer troubleshooter.

Follow the prompts. This process will attempt to identify and fix issues related to printers, including driver problems.

Checking for Windows Services

Sometimes, certain Windows services related to printing might not be running. Here’s how to check and start them:

Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
Type services.msc and press Enter.
In the Services window, locate the following services:
- Print Spooler
- Windows Print Notification
Right-click on Print Spooler and select Start if it isn’t running. If it is running, choose Restart.
Repeat this for Windows Print Notification if applicable.

Reinstalling the Printer

If updating the driver didn’t work, you may need to uninstall and reinstall the printer completely:

Open Control Panel and go to Devices and Printers.
Right-click on your printer and select Remove device.
After removal, click on Add a printer to reinstall the printer.

Advanced Troubleshooting Steps

If all else fails, consider these advanced troubleshooting methods:

1. Clear the Print Queue

Sometimes jobs stuck in the print queue can cause problems. Clear it as follows:

Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers > right-click your printer and select See what’s printing.
Click on Printer in the menu and choose Cancel All Documents.

2. Temporary Disable Antivirus and Firewall

Occasionally, security software may interfere with printer driver communication. Disable your antivirus or firewall temporarily to see if that resolves the issue. Don’t forget to re-enable it afterward.

3. Run System File Checker (SFC)

Corrupted system files may cause various errors, including printer issues. To run SFC:

Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
Wait for the process to complete and follow any on-screen instructions.

Preventing Future Driver Issues

After resolving the issue, it’s advisable to take steps to prevent the “Driver is unavailable” error from recurring:

Regularly Update Drivers: Periodically check for driver updates from the manufacturer’s website.
Keep Windows Updated: Regular Windows updates can help maintain compatibility with printer drivers.
Avoid Third-Party Drivers: Only download drivers from official manufacturer sources to prevent compatibility issues.
Monitor for Alerts: Keep an eye on notifications from Windows about driver issues, especially after updates.

Conclusion

The “Driver is unavailable” error can disrupt your printing tasks and cause significant inconveniences. However, by understanding the causes and following the outlined troubleshooting steps, you can easily fix the error and restore your printer’s functionality. Additionally, embracing preventive measures can help you avoid this issue in the future. Remember that timely updates and regular maintenance are key in the world of technology, ensuring that your devices operate smoothly and efficiently. With these strategies, you can get back to printing seamlessly and with confidence.