Have you ever tried to print from your Windows 10 PC only to see the frustrating error message: “Printer Driver Unavailable”? You’re not alone. This common issue can stop your work in its tracks, but the good news is—it’s fixable in just a few minutes!
In this article, you’ll learn how to fix the “Printer Driver Unavailable” error step-by-step. We’ll also explain what causes this problem so you can prevent it from happening again in the future.
Whether you’re dealing with a missing printer driver, an outdated system, or a driver compatibility issue, we’ve got you covered.
What Causes the “Printer Driver Unavailable” Error on Windows 10?
The dreaded “Printer Driver is Unavailable” error is a common issue experienced by many Windows 10 users. When this error appears, your printer stops working, and the device status shows: “Driver is unavailable.”
There are several possible reasons behind this error, and thankfully, most of them are easy to troubleshoot—no need to replace your printer or get professional help.
Here are the most common causes of the “Printer Driver Unavailable” error on Windows 10:
- Missing or improperly installed printer driver
- Corrupted printer driver files
- Incompatible printer driver for your Windows version
- Outdated printer driver
- Pending Windows Updates
- Windows 10 system glitches or bugs
Understanding these causes is the first step toward a solution. The guide below will show you how to fix the “Printer Driver Unavailable” error quickly and also help you prevent it from happening again.
✅ Fixed: Printer Driver Is Unavailable in Windows 10 – Top 5 Solutions
If you’re seeing the “Printer Driver is Unavailable” error on your Windows 10 PC, don’t worry—this issue can often be resolved in just a few simple steps. Below are five proven methods to fix the problem and get your printer back up and running.
Method 1: Reconnect the Printer Device
Sometimes, the quickest fix is also the simplest—disconnect and reconnect your printer. This process refreshes the printer connection and can resolve any temporary driver issues.
🔧 Steps to Fully Reconnect Your Printer:
- Press
Windows + Sto open the Search bar. - Type Control Panel and launch it from the results.
- Click on View devices and printers. (Make sure the view mode is set to “Category.”)
- Locate your problematic printer, right-click, and select Remove device.
- If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to proceed.
- Unplug the printer from your computer and wait 2–3 minutes.
- Plug the printer back in and allow Windows 10 to automatically reinstall the drivers.
🔄 After reconnecting, try printing a test page to see if the issue is resolved. If not, continue to the next method!
Method 2: Update Your Printer Driver via Windows 10
An outdated printer driver is one of the most common reasons for the “Printer Driver is Unavailable” error on Windows 10. Even if your printer was working fine before, an update might now be required.
The good news? You can easily update your printer driver directly through Windows 10, without needing to download anything manually.
🔧 Steps to Update Your Printer Driver in Windows 10:
- Press
Windows + Xon your keyboard and select Device Manager from the menu.
- In Device Manager, expand the Printers category by clicking the arrow next to it.
- Right-click your printer, then select Update driver from the dropdown menu.
- 💡 Tip: If your printer isn’t listed, look under Unknown Devices.
- Click Search automatically for drivers. This allows Windows 10 to check online for the latest compatible driver.
- If multiple drivers are found, follow the on-screen instructions to pick the correct one.
- Once the update finishes, restart your computer to apply the changes.
🖨️ After rebooting, check if your printer is working correctly. If Windows 10 can’t find a driver, don’t worry—manual driver installation is another effective option (we’ll cover that in a later method).
Method 3: Manually Install Your Printer Driver on Windows 10
If Windows 10 can’t automatically detect or install your printer driver, don’t worry—you can still install the printer driver manually. All you need is your printer’s model name and manufacturer details.
This method ensures you’re using the most compatible and up-to-date driver, straight from the source.
🔍 Step-by-Step: How to Manually Install a Printer Driver in Windows 10
- Identify your printer model and manufacturer:
- Check the printer’s label/sticker for the model name.
- Or go to:
Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers
to find the printer’s full name.
- Visit the official website of your printer’s brand to download the correct driver:
- Download the latest driver for your printer model:
- Make sure it matches your system version (32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10).
- You can check your system type by going to:
Settings > System > About > System type
- Install the driver:
- Locate the downloaded file in your Downloads folder.
- Right-click on the installer and select Run as administrator for best results.
5. Once installation is complete, restart your computer.
🖨️ After rebooting, test your printer. If you’re still seeing the “Printer Driver is Unavailable” error, don’t give up—we’ve got more solutions coming next!
Method 4: Install the Generic Printer Driver on Windows 10
If you’re still encountering the “Printer Driver is Unavailable” error, another effective solution is to install the generic printer driver provided by Windows 10. This universal printer driver works with most printers and can help bypass compatibility or corruption issues.
🛠️ How to Install the Generic Printer Driver:
- Press
Windows + Xand select Device Manager from the menu. - In Device Manager, expand the Printers category by clicking the arrow next to it.
- Right-click your printer and choose Update driver.
- Select Browse my computer for drivers to proceed.
- Click on Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
- From the list of compatible drivers, choose Generic Software Device.
- Click Next to begin installing the generic driver.
Once the installation is complete, restart your computer and try printing again. Many users report that this method successfully resolves the “driver unavailable” error by replacing the faulty or incompatible driver with a universal alternative.
🖨️ If this doesn’t work for your printer model, no worries—keep going to the next solution!
Method 5: Update Windows 10 to Fix Printer Driver Issues
Updating your Windows 10 operating system can fix underlying issues, including the “Printer Driver is Unavailable” error. Often, a simple Windows update can resolve many problems, ensuring that your system and printer drivers are fully compatible.
🛠️ How to Update Windows 10:
- Click on the Windows icon in the bottom-left corner of your screen to open the Start menu. Alternatively, press
Windows + Ito open Settings directly.
- In the Settings menu, select the Update & Security tile. This is where you can manage your Windows Update settings.
- Ensure you’re on the Windows Update tab. Then, click Check for updates.
- Wait for Windows to search for available updates. If any updates are found, click on View all optional updates to review and install them.
- When an update is available, click Install. Allow Windows to download and apply the updates.
🔄 After updating, restart your computer to apply the changes, then test your printer again. If the issue persists, continue to the next solution!
Final Thoughts
There you have it! We hope our tips and tricks on how to fix the “Printer driver is unavailable” error helped. Now, you should be able to continue printing on your Windows 10 device.
If you have any questions or need help with the steps above, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
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