Windows makes it reasonably easy to add a printer and use it, but there are times when it does not perform as it should, usually when you need it most. An example of such an issue is Windows failing to detect the installed printer drivers, which typically happens when the printer driver is incompatible with the system or has become corrupt. Show Listed below are several effective troubleshooting methods for dealing with this issue, which will get your printer up and running in no time. 1. Install the Latest Windows UpdatesIf your operating system cannot identify the printer's driver, then the first thing that you should do is check Windows for the pending updates and install them. When you run an outdated version of your operating system, can cause incompatibilities with your drivers, especially if you update the drivers without also updating Windows. This can then result in errors like the one we're trying to fix now. The solution to this is simple, as all that you need to do is install the latest updates via Windows Settings. Follow the steps below to do so:
Other than installing the latest Windows updates, running the built-in Windows troubleshooter can also resolve any corruption issues within your system that may be causing problems with your drivers. The troubleshooter is a free utility that comes with both Windows 10 and 11 that you use to select the problem you are facing by scanning the system for potential causes and recommending fixes accordingly. 2. Update the Printer DriverIf your operating system is already up-to-date, then it might be your printer driver that has become incompatible with your system due to being outdated or corrupt. There can be quite a few reasons as to why this happened. However, as we mentioned in the method above, issues like these can be resolved by updating the driver. Here is how you can update your printer driver on Windows:
In case the system cannot find any available updates, then you can try to update the driver manually. For this, you will have to first download an updated version of your driver from the manufacturer's website and then install it via Device Manager. If this scenario is applicable, proceed with these steps:
If an outdated driver was the culprit behind this issue, the steps above should resolve the problem. Make sure you keep your drivers up to date in the future. In case your find using the Device Manager a bit complicated, you can try using automatic driver software to make the process painless and quick. 3. Reinstall Your PrinterAnother solution that worked for users was removing their printer from the system and the device, uninstalling the printer driver, and then reconnecting the printer. When you reconnect your printer to the PC, Windows will automatically install the default printer driver, hopefully resolving the error in the process. Follow these steps to proceed:
You can now try using the printer and see if performing the steps above made a difference. If this solution worked for you, we recommend that you immediately create a driver backup on your system. This will help you revert to the current working state of the driver if anything goes wrong in the future. Get Your Printer Up and RunningWithout a working driver, the hardware devices connected to your operating system will not function properly or at all. We hope that the troubleshooting methods above helped you identify the cause of the printer driver being unavailable and fixed the issue as well. How do I fix my printer driver is unavailable?Fixed: Printer driver is unavailable in Windows 10. Method 1. Reconnect the printer device.. Method 2. Update your printer driver via Windows 10.. Method 3. Install your printer driver manually.. Method 4. Install the generic printer driver.. Method 5. Update Windows 10.. Recommended articles.. How do I make my printer driver available?Right-click Start , then select Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Find the printer, select it, then select Remove. After removing your printer, add it back by selecting Add device. Wait for your device to find nearby printers, choose the one you want, then select Add device.
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