Printer Driver Is Unavailable? Here’s the 8 Real Solution

If you attempt to print and encounter a “Windows printer driver is unavailable” error, it means that your system is unable to locate the appropriate driver or the printer driver is outdated, so you cannot print your documents. In this instance, what should you do?

In this article, we will explain how to resolve the Printer Driver Is Unavailable error.

What Does “Printer Driver Is Unavailable” Mean?

So, what exactly does”driver is unavailable” refer to? The error message is a sign of issues with the driver for your printer, which is hindering it from functioning properly. To fix the problem, you’ll need to update the problematic printer driver.

Why Does My Printer Say “Driver is Unavailable”?

If there’s a problem with the software for your printer, it’s possible to receive errors such as the ” Printer driver is unavailable error. It could be because your printer isn’t connected to your computer, or perhaps your printer driver is outdated or not compatible.

In other situations, it could be a corrupt file on your operating system, which is impacting multiple components of your system, including the printer. Whatever the cause of the issue, the outcome is the same: you’re unable to print from your printer.

How to Fix Printer Driver Is Unavailable Error

There are several ways to fix printer driver is unavailable issues. We will discuss them step-by-step. There is no need to go through all of them. You can start with the easiest solution.

1. Restart Your Printer

Restarting your printer is an effective solution for various printer-related issues. Here are some of the reasons it is essential:

• Clear Printer Memory: Overloaded printer memory can trigger errors. Restarting resets it.
• Resolve Connectivity Issues: Network or USB problems often disappear after a restart.
• Reset Configuration Settings: Restarting can correct misconfigured printer settings.

Also read: Top 10 Cloud Printing Services for Small Businesses

2. Update your Operating System

One reason your Windows 10 computer might show the Printer Driver is Not Available error is that the Operating system is outdated. So you install all Windows updates as soon as possible. It will also help you print again, but also improve the security and stability of your PC.

3. Change UAC Settings

User Account Control (UAC) will notify you whenever Windows attempts to make any changes to the system. These changes require user or administrative rights. You must configure your UAC settings to ensure that they don’t block users from installing components of a printer or drivers.

• Log in as Administrator.
• Type Control Panel in the Windows search bar.
• Select User Accounts > Change User Account Control Settings.
• Set the slider to the third position, in which it reads:

“Notify me only when apps try to make changes to my computer (default)” and “Recommended if you use familiar apps and visit familiar websites.”

• Click OK > Yes

4. Manually Update Printer Drivers

• Press Windows + X to open the Device Manager.
• Scroll through the list, then double-click the Printer category.
  Right-click on the problematic driver to update the driver.
• There are two options available to you. Select Search automatically for drivers

The Device Manager will wait to search for an update and then apply the update in the background. Furthermore, if you are aware of the printer model, you can visit the manufacturer’s site to download the driver update.

5. Automatically Update the Printer Driver

The latest printer driver is available for download from the official website, or if you’re in a hurry, you can use Driver Updater software, a driver updating utility.

Advanced Driver Updater scans your PC for obsolete drivers and displays the latest update. It doesn’t require knowledge of your operating system’s name to run it. The driver updater compares outdated drivers with updated drivers and displays the most up-to-date or compatible update.

6. Automatically Reinstall Printer Driver

If updating the driver for your printer did not resolve the driver is unavailable problem, you can try reinstalling the printer driver. This will resolve the issue with the files that cause a “Windows printer driver is unavailable” error.

In this case, we will continue to use Device Manager.

• Use Windows + X and select Device Manager.
• Expand the Print queues category by double-clicking. Select Uninstall device.
• Ensure you check the box next to the option to delete the driver software installed on this device and select Uninstall.
• Unplug the printer, restart the computer, and connect the printer to the computer. Follow the directions you receive and then reinstall the driver.

This method can help resolve the printer driver is unavailable error.

Also read: How to Fix Bluetooth Driver Error on Windows 10

7. Install Generic Printer Driver

To prevent users don’t face problems with the printer driver, Microsoft has provided a generic driver for its printers. To resolve “Printer Driver is unavailable,” you can temporarily utilize this driver.

• Click Windows + X and select the Device Manager
• Expand the category of Print queues. Select your printer and choose Update driver.
• Select Browse my computer for drivers.
• Select “Let me choose” from the list of available drivers for my computer.
• Select Generic software device > click Next.

Restart your PC and see whether the issue has been solved.

8. Fix Corrupt System Files

A corrupted Windows file can cause the “Driver is unavailable” issue. Fix this issue, follow these steps:

• Start your elevated Command Prompt
• If you get a User Account Control prompt, click Yes.
• Paste and copy the command below: DISM.exe Online /Cleanup /Restorehealth
• Allow the command to run. Then, copy and paste the command sfc /scannow and enter to allow the command to execute.

The tool will identify and repair the damaged system files. Additionally, we suggest that you update Windows.

After completing these steps, you can print with the printer. You shouldn’t encounter the driver is not available error.

Summing Up

To summarize, the printer driver is unavailable error message can be seen when there’s a problem with your printer, computer, or even software. It’s quite typical and is usually resolved without much effort.

In this case, you can update Windows 10 to the latest version, then reinstall the printer device, update the printer driver, and then roll back to an earlier version if compatible with your system, and connect your device to the printer.

FAQs: Printer Driver Is Unavailable