Why Does My Printer Say Driver Unavailable

Solution : Run Printer Troubleshooter

Cant Print Documents. Printer Driver Is Unavailable in Windows 10 FIX

If you have no idea how to fix your printer driver is unavailable for your HP or other printers, you can try to use the automatic way to fix it at first.

1. Goes to here: Start> Settings> Update & Security> Troubleshoot.

2. In this troubleshoot tab, find the Printer and click Run the troubleshooter.

3. After that, the windows will check the hardware status, print spooler services, etc. and you should select the erroneous printer and then fix it step by step.

Needs Troubleshooting Driver Is Unavailable

05-08-201508:09 AM

I am trying to print something, and I keep getting an error that tells me my printer needs troubleshooting. I tried to troubleshoot and it says Driver is Unavailable. Can you help me figure out what to do to get my printer working? Thanks!

Welcome to the forums!

I understand you have a Photosmart C4780 and run Windows 8, and are seeing an error message telling you the printer needs troubleshooting. I will certainly help you out, and would like to start off with these few steps down below. Please reply back to me with the outcome and we will go from there!

1. Power reset the printer and make sure the printer is plugged in directly to the wall outlet, avoiding power bars and surge protectors. This ensures the printer is receiving full power.

Press the Power button to turn on the product.With the product turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the product.Unplug the power cord from the wall outlet.Wait at least 15 seconds.Plug the power cord back into the wall outlet.Reconnect the power cord to the rear of the product.If the product does not turn on by itself, press the Power button to turn it on.

2. Make a black and white copy and a color copy from the front of the printer to see if they work.

I hope to hear back from you!

If you wish to send me a “thanks for responding” today, click the thumbs up below!

ainbow7000

I work on behalf of HP

Thanks

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Why Does The Error Printer Driver Is Unavailable Appear

One of the main reasons for this error is the fact that the printer driver has been deleted from the system or is corrupted. In such cases, the system is unable to find the driver and you get this error.

However, there could be other reasons such as

If your printer is not connected to your PC properly or there is a loose connection

If the operating file that you are using is corrupt

If the printer driver is not compatible with the printer and is outdated

If the windows version that you are using is outdated and not compatible with your printer

Sometimes the error also occurs when the drivers are not properly installed and

At times when the printer spooler is crashed, you tend to receive the error code Printer driver is unavailable

In case the error code Printer Drive is unavailable still appears even after updating your driver then you might have to try uninstalling and then reinstalling the printers driver.

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Way 0: Update Your Printer Drivers Automatically

All these procedures are tedious and complex, especially for a beginner.

You might make a mistake or select any wrong option during the installation of the printer driver.

You can make the computer completely useless and malfunction.

For this, you can use driver search and updating software like Drive Support. This software helps you to update printer drivers automatically. It will successfully update your printer driver.

Update Your Printer Driver Via Windows 10

Like your system, your drivers can become outdated as well. You might have installed printer drivers in the past and forgot to update them. Your computer could’ve come with built-in drivers when you first got it, which need an update now.

Try updating the printer driver in Windows 10 itself by following the steps below. This is a quick and easy process. No matter what the cause, Windows 10 can help you resolve this frustrating error by updating your driver for you:

Press the Windows + X keys on your keyboard and click on the Device Manager option from the WinX menu.

Expand the Printers menu by clicking on the arrow next to it. Right-click on your printer listed in the menu, and then choose Update Driver.

Tip: If you cant find your printer in the list, check-in the category named Unknown Devices.

Select Search automatically for drivers from the options. This will allow Windows 10 to connect to the internet and locate the latest drivers for your printer. You may be prompted to select a driver if multiple are found.

Wait for the driver installation to complete and restart your computer to apply the changes.

Keep in mind that you may have to try a different solution if Windows 10 is unable to locate your printers drivers online.

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Scan For Viruses And Threats

Malware and viruses can also infect your system and cause such errors. Its best to enable real-time and cloud protection services to prevent such issues.

Please perform a full scan when you encounter such errors. Heres how you can do so with the Virus & Threat Protection feature in Windows:

Click on the Windows Security icon from the notification tray.

Click on Virus & threat protection.

Under Current threats, choose Scan options.

Check Full scan and click Scan now.

Please wait for the scan to complete. Then, check if you can use your printer without the error.

How To Fix Printer Driver Unavailable Error

A printer driver unavailable error will stop you from printing even if you change . It also prevents you from using other similar functions like scan and copy, altogether. If you encounter this issue, try using any of the troubleshooting methods below to resolve it.

But before you proceed with any method, you might want to complete a couple of requirements first. They will help make troubleshooting methods a lot smoother and quicker. Please note that the second requirement is only necessary if the first requirement doesnt work.

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Automatically Update Your Printer Drivers

As you can see, it is possible for you to search for printer drivers from the manufacturers website, download them and install manually. However, it should be apparent that this is a complex and tedious process, particularly if it is your first time. Whats more, if you make any mistakes or install the wrong printer drivers, you could make your computer unstable or even completely unusable.

Therefore, it is recommended that you use specialized driver search and updating software like Driver Support to make the task easier for you and remove all the guesswork. Once installed, such a program will automatically identify the issues that may be causing your printer to malfunction and provide solutions.

Still need help, why not give Driver Support a try?Save yourself time and frustration

Hp Printer Driver Is Unavailable On Windows 10

How to Fix Printer – Driver Is Unavailable || Can’t Print Document Error on Windows 10

If your HP printer isnt working properly, one of the most common causes is the printer driver unavailable error. This type of issue is annoying and will prevent you from printing, scanning and copying, but no worries. After reading this post, youre able to solve the HP printer driver unavailable error, easily and quickly!

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How To Reinstall Printer Driver Manually

To manually install printer drivers, visit the Device Manager, then the Printer option and you will see the name of your printer. From here you can reinstall the drivers. Here is how you can do it.

Turn on the computer and press Windows + R to launch Run

Now on the run dialogue box type devmgmt. msc and press enter

Go to the control panel and click on the Hardware and sound option

Right-click on the name of your printer and select update driver

Here you will see a dialogue box that will have ways to update the driver

Select the driver of your choice that you would like to download and click ok

The error code of the printer driver is unavailable should now be fixed and you should be able to begin printing again. If the error still exists then try using another method to fix it which is by reconnecting the plug and play printers.

Update Windows Operating System

You can also try updating your system if the previous methods fail to solve the issue. Keeping your system fully updated will prevent many system and driver errors. We also recommend enabling automatic checks for updates and installing them as soon as they are available.

Heres the way to update your Operating System manually:

Go to Settings and click on Update & Security.

Select Install now if an update is available. If not, choose Check for updates.

Also, please dont fail to look for the Feature, Security, or Quality updates and install them by clicking .

Restart your PC after installing the updates and try using the printer again.

Also Check: How To Uninstall A Printer Driver On Windows 10

Installing The Universal Printer Driver

While holding down the Windows key, press X. Now select Device Manager.

Once you open Device Manager, find your printer. If you cant find it, look in the Unknown Devices category.

Right-click on your printer, and then click Update Driver.

Then click on the Search for drivers on your computer option.

Select Choose from a list of available drivers, then Generic software device.

Now click Next and restart your computer.

What Is A Printer Driver

Epson Driver Is Unavailable Windows 10 / Solved Printer Driver Is ...

Before we examine how to fix the Printer Driver Is Unavailable Error on Windows 10, it is important to know what a printer driver is. It is simply a small program installed on your computer that enables communication between it and the printer.

It serves two main functions. The first is as a bridge between the printer and your computer, letting your computer understand the hardware specifications and details of the printer. Second, the driver is responsible for translating the print job data to signals that the printer can understand. Every printer has its own unique driver that is written to fit its profile on a particular operating system, in this case, Windows 10. If your printer is not properly configured or if you have installed an incorrect device driver, the computer will be unable to detect the printer.

However, certain printer models can use generic drivers that come bundled with Windows 10. This allows you to print without having to install additional drivers from the manufacturer. However, this often hinders you from utilizing your printer to its full potential since extra printer-specific functions and settings may not be available.

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Why Is My Hp Printer Driver Unavailable

A corrupt or incompatible driver is the most probable reason of the HP Printer Driver Unavailable error. It is also the coolest problem to deal with. You just need to uninstall your current printer driver, and theninstall the most updated accurate driver for your HP printer. If yet your printer is unable to recognize the driver and thats why you cant print anything, then dont waste your precious time. Make a quick connection with highly experienced tech-specialists. You will meet such an intelligent person when you put a ring at +1-205-690-2254. Online top-most service will be proffered to you at doorstep within your budget. So, contact them and get your problem resolved from the root.

Install All Windows Updates

On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and the I key at the same time to open the Windows settings menu.

Then click on Update and security.

The download and installation will start automatically if updates are available.

Wait a few minutes for the process to complete, then restart your computer to check.

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Solution 3 Update The Operating System

An outdated version of the Operating System can easily be the cause of the Driver is unavailable error. Therefore, you should be able to fix this by updating the system. Hence the following steps will help you:

Hit the Windows Home key and then click on the Settings icon.

From the Settings window, go to the Update & Security section and then select the Update tab on the left panel.

In the Update tab, click on the Check for updates option for the available updates.

If any updates are available, then you will get an option Update, click on it.

After completing the update process, the device will automatically restart.

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So Lets Start Following The Below Steps Without Making Any Mistake:

How to fix Printer Driver is unavailable on Windows 10

Press Windows + R keys simultaneously on your keyboard.
Type Control Panel by opening the Run dialogue box and then hit Enter key.
Once in the control panel, give a single click on Devices and Printers.

After tapping on it all the printers will be listed.
You will have to choose the printer which is causing problem and give a right-click on it to select Remove Device. The printer creating trouble will be removed from your system.

Now press Windows + R key again and then type devmgmt.msc in the search box.

Go to the Print queues option, place a right-click on your printer and then select Uninstall device.

Once you have successfully set your printer as default, you can try printing a test page. This time you may get high-quality printouts without receiving a message hp printer driver unavailable windows 10.

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Printer Driver Is Unavailble Overview

Sometimes, when you feel like printing something in Devices and Printers, Windows 10 printer status prompts you the error that printer driver is unavailable. In this way, your on Windows 10.

For the sake of helping you with the printer driver not found or incompatible problem, this thread will introduce to you the most useful and effective solutions.

Now move on to walk through HP, Canon, Brother, Samsung, Epson printer driver not available Windows 10.

How To Uninstall And Reinstall The Printers Driver

To uninstall and reinstall the Printers driver, you will need to navigate to the Device Manager and then open the Printer dropdown from where you can install and re-install the drivers. Here are the detailed steps.

Turn on your computer and go to the control panel

Now go to the Hardware and sound option

Choose the name of your printer from the drop-down list and right-click on the small icon you see against it

To Uninstall, select the option which says Uninstall device

Now go back to the control panel and choose Device and Printers

Search for your printer here and click on it

Now click on the Remove device option which will appear to your right

Your driver is now uninstalled. Here you will get another option which will say reinstall printer driver

In case you are not able to automatically reinstall the driver then you might have to do it manually.

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Solution No : Install Default Generic Printer Driver

If the above two solutions are not working for you, maybe this third solution is recommended. To install the default generic printer driver, take the following steps:

Press the Window key and X.

Select device manager and find out your driver. If you do not find your required driver, check it from an unknown category.

Select from options let me pick from the list of drivers.

Choose generic software to install it.

Then, restart your computer.

How To Fix Printer Driver Is Unavailable On Windows 11

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If youre printing a lot, you may run across the printer driver is unavailable error on Windows 11. Heres how to fix it.

Seeing a printer driver is unavailable error on Windows 11? The message is pretty clearyour printer drivers are missing, corrupt, or just arent working as expected.

If this happens, theres usually a clear-cut reason why. If youve recently updated your PC, a new driver may prove incompatible with your printer. A driver might be missing entirely, making it impossible for your printer to work properly.

You can fix this error message in a few different wayseven a quick restart might solve it. If it doesnt, however, you can give these more complex troubleshooting tips a try.

Printer Unresponsive Heres How To Fix The Printer Driver Is Unavailable Error On Windows 10

A printer is a great piece of equipment when it works, but when it acts up, it can be extremely frustrating.

Your printer could run reliably for years, producing thousands of prints, but it could also malfunction or even stop responding entirely. We will examine some of the most common printer problems to help you resolve any problems you may have reproducing your documents.

Sometimes, you may find the reason is something as simple as overuse or wear on printer components. Strangely, underuse of your printer could also lead to printing problems, as dried-up ink could block inkjet printer nozzles. You could also find that debris, such as lint, may clog your printer, resulting in paper jams or damage.

However, the problem could be more complex, resulting in an error message. Typically, an error message could mean that your printers software may be improperly installed on your computer, or there may be a problem with your device drivers. Luckily, you can easily find out how to fix the Printer Driver Is Unavailable Error on Windows 10 and bring an unresponsive printer back to life.

Solution 2 Uninstall The Brother Printer Driver And Reinstall It Again

The Driver is unavailable error can be caused by a corrupted or incompatible Brother printer driver. So, you should uninstall the Brother printer driver and then reinstall it again. Here are some steps that we have provided:

Press the Win + R buttons together to launch the Run box.

Type devmgmt.msc and then hit the Enter button or click on the OK option.

From the Device Manager window, locate and select the Print queues section to expand.

Find the Brother Printer Driver, right-click on it and then choose the Uninstall device option.

After uninstalling the driver, reboot the PC and then reinstall it.

To reinstall it, visit the printers official website and download the latest version of the printer driver.

After downloading the driver, install it correctly.

Once the driver is installed, restart the device and then check if the error is solved or not.