troubleshootmyprinter.blog

Fix Printer Driver Unavailable – Printer Troubleshooting Guide | TroubleshootMyPrinter




How to Fix: Printer Driver Unavailable

Windows shows the printer status as ‘Driver is unavailable’ in the Printers & Scanners settings, preventing any printing. This is different from ‘Driver not found’ — the driver was previously installed but has become corrupted or incompatible, typically after a Windows update. This guide walks you through the most common causes and step-by-step solutions to fix printer driver unavailable on any printer, regardless of brand or model.

Common Causes

This problem is most often caused by one or more of the following:

  • Windows update replaced or corrupted the existing printer driver
  • Driver version incompatible with the current Windows build
  • Printer driver files were deleted or moved by security software
  • Registry corruption in the printer driver entries
  • 32-bit driver installed on a 64-bit system or vice versa

Step-by-Step Solution

Follow these steps to diagnose and fix the issue. Test your printer after each step.

  1. Step 1: Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, remove the printer, then re-add it
  2. Step 2: If re-adding does not work, open Print Management (printmanagement.msc) and delete the driver from ‘All Drivers’
  3. Step 3: Download the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website and install it manually
  4. Step 4: In Device Manager, find the printer, right-click and select ‘Update driver’ > ‘Browse my computer’
  5. Step 5: Clear the driver cache: stop Print Spooler, delete files in C:\Windows\System32\spool\drivers, restart Print Spooler
  6. Step 6: Run the Windows Printer Troubleshooter which may detect and fix driver issues
  7. Step 7: If the issue started after a Windows update, try reverting the update or installing the driver in compatibility mode

Brand-Specific Troubleshooting

Some printer brands require slightly different troubleshooting approaches. See the brand-specific guidance below.

Hp Printers

HP printers showing ‘Driver Unavailable’ can often be fixed by installing the HP Smart app, which manages driver installation automatically. The HP Print and Scan Doctor also detects and resolves driver unavailability issues.

For more Hp-specific troubleshooting, visit our Hp Printer Troubleshooting hub.

Canon Printers

Canon printer drivers may show as unavailable after Windows feature updates. Download the latest driver package from Canon’s website. Canon’s UFR II and PCL6 drivers are the most commonly affected. Install the UFRII driver specifically for compatibility.

For more Canon-specific troubleshooting, visit our Canon Printer Troubleshooting hub.

Epson Printers

Epson’s driver unavailability can sometimes be resolved by running the Epson driver installation in ‘repair’ mode. The Epson installer checks for and fixes corrupted driver components. Make sure to download the driver from epson.com, not from Windows Update.

For more Epson-specific troubleshooting, visit our Epson Printer Troubleshooting hub.

Brother Printers

Brother provides a ‘Driver Uninstall Tool’ that completely removes all Brother driver components before a clean reinstall. This is more thorough than Windows’ built-in removal. Download this tool from the Brother Solutions Center.

For more Brother-specific troubleshooting, visit our Brother Printer Troubleshooting hub.

Related Problems

Users experiencing printer driver unavailable often encounter these related issues:

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ‘Driver is Unavailable’ mean?

This Windows message means the printer driver was previously installed but is now missing, corrupted, or incompatible. Unlike ‘Driver Not Found,’ this indicates the driver was once working. The most common cause is a Windows update that broke compatibility or replaced driver files with an incompatible version.

How do I fix ‘Driver Unavailable’ on Windows 11?

Remove the printer from Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & Scanners. Then open Print Management (printmanagement.msc), navigate to All Drivers, and delete the old driver. Restart the Print Spooler service. Finally, download and install the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website, then re-add the printer.

Why does my printer keep showing ‘Driver Unavailable’ after every Windows update?

Some printer drivers are frequently disrupted by Windows updates. To prevent this, check if the manufacturer has a Windows 11-certified driver. You can also temporarily pause Windows updates after finding a stable driver. Some manufacturers provide driver auto-update utilities that maintain compatibility with Windows updates.

Need brand-specific help?

This guide covers the general fix. For model-specific instructions, find your printer brand below and navigate to your exact model for tailored troubleshooting steps.