Sometimes, a printer driver can become such a significant hindrance, especially when you are in the process of printing something urgently. The error “Printer Driver Is Unavailable” normally suggests that the driver is either outdated or incompatible and, in some instances, not present at all. So sit back and read on as I help you fix this with some quick and effective solutions.
1. Restart Your Devices
First, try simple rebooting of computer and printer. Sometimes, this will refresh the connection so that one is good again: a temporary glitch will be corrected.
- Fix: Turn off your printer and computer. Wait for 30 seconds, then turn them back on. See if the error persists.
2. Update Printer Drivers
The error can also be caused by outdated or corrupted drivers.
Fix:
- Open your computer’s Device Manager.
- Locate your printer in the Printers section.
- Click on your printer and right-click. Then, select Update driver.
- Select Search automatically for updated driver software and follow the prompts.
3. Uninstall and Reinstall Printer Drivers
Uninstalling and reinstalling drivers may be helpful if updating doesn’t work.
Fix:
- Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
- Right-click on your printer and select Remove device.
- Visit the website of the manufacturer of your printer and download the latest drivers.
- Install the drivers then reconnect your printer to the computer.
4. Check for Operating System Updates
Sometimes, an outdated system may result in compatibility issues with some printer drivers.
Fix:
- Open Settings on your computer.
- From Update & Security, check for updates.
- Installation of the available updates and restart on your computer.
5. Use the Printer Troubleshooter
Most operating systems do have an inbuilt troubleshooter for the printers.
Fix:
- Open Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners
- Select your printer and on Manage.
- Choose Run the troubleshooter and follow the on-screen instructions.
6. Reconnect Your Printer
Improper connection can also trigger driver issues.
Fix:
- Disconnect the printer from your computer.
- Reconnect using a USB cable or Wi-Fi, depending on your printer model.
- Ensure the connection is stable before trying to print.
7. Check for Compatibility Issues
Ensure that the driver you’re installing is compatible with your operating system.
Fix:
- Visit the printer manufacturer’s website.
- Look for drivers built specifically for your OS version.
8. Reinstall Print Spooler Service
Print spooler service manages the process of print jobs and may even fix driver-related errors when restarted.
Solution:
- Open Windows + R and type in services.msc.
- Print Spooler on the list, right click it, and select restart.
- Try printing to see if this resolved it.