Driver Not Found? Simple Solutions to Get Your Printer Working Again

It is very irritating to get an error saying that the “driver not found for printer” when doing something important. This is among the common errors that users face these days. Great to hear that this problem can be resolved easily with just a few steps.

In this guide, we will walk you through practical solutions that will restore your printer and get it going again.

What Does “Driver Not Found for Printer” Mean?

The computer may pop out the “driver not found for printer” message when it fails to find the required printer driver to establish communication between the printer and the computer. The software is only called a printer driver, and it renders the printer useless without it.

What’s Causing This Error?

Firstly, find out why this error is happening. Some of the major reasons are given below:

1. Outdated driver: Or maybe the driver has aged and perhaps no longer supports your operating system.
2. Wrongly installed driver: Maybe the wrong driver is installed into your computer for the model of your printer.
3. System Updates: In some instances, perhaps the system has updated and made the installed drivers incompatible.
4. Connection Problem: The problem may also lie between the printer and the computer.

Corrective Measure to Solve “Driver Not Found for Printer” Error

Here are some effective solutions to address the problem and get your printer working once again:

1. Download the Right Driver

The most basic method is to download and install the right driver for your printer. To do this, refer to the following steps:

1. Go to your printer manufacturer’s official website (HP, Canon, Epson).
2. Under the site, click on the support or downloads page.
3. Now, enter the model number of your printer.
4. Download the latest driver for your OS.
5. Install the downloaded driver. Now, restart your computer.

Getting the right software solves this problem quickly: “Driver not found for printer.”

2. Windows Update

Windows most of the time includes the printer drivers along with its updates. Here is how you check:

1. Open Settings > Update & Security
2. Click on Windows Update and check for updates.
3. Download and install it once the driver update is available.

This will automatically resolve the problem in case of missing or outdated drivers.

3. Run the Printer Troubleshooter

Your computer has an in-built tool that can detect and solve problems. For that,

1. Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners
2. Choose your printer, then Manage
3. Select Run the troubleshooter and follow the instructions on the screen.

The troubleshooter can be diagnosed based on issues related to the “driver not found for printer” error and provide fixes.

4. Reinstall Printer Driver

Reinstall; maybe that will do the trick, or possibly the driver got corrupted and you did not even realize it.

1. Control Panel >> Devices and Printers.
2. Right-click the printer and delete the device. Download the new driver from your manufacturer’s web page and follow their installation routine and reattach it. 

5. Connection with Printer.

Your printer was probably not installed properly on the computer. If you are printing with a USB-connected printer:

1. Try a different USB port for wireless printers
2. Make sure that both the printer and the computer are on the same Wi-Fi network.
3. Restart both devices to refresh the connection.

How to Avoid Future “Driver Not Found for Printer” Errors

How not to get stuck in this situation again with the following tips:

1. Update the printer driver regularly to the latest version.
2. Always download the printer drivers from the official website of the printer and never from third-party websites.
3. Always keep updating your operating system so that it supports the printer driver.

Sometimes, just check the connections and see if everything is fine.

Final Thoughts

The “driver not found for printer” error may continue to prevent one from completing work. This is all easier if the above methods are followed to quickly resolve the issue and get everything working right once more. Remember, updating your drivers and checking that your connections are in order will prevent such issues from arising.

For more troubleshooting tips and solutions, continue to Printer Not Working.