How to Fix Printer Driver is Unavailable

When working with your computer or printer, you may find an open box that says “Printer Driver is unavailable” though you already install and run your printer driver correctly. This problem may occur to any types of printers from any brands (Brother, Epson, Xerox, Epson, Kodak, Samsung, Sharp, OKI, Sagem, Panasonic, HP, Konica Minolta, Ricoh, Toshiba and etc), and in any operating systems Windows, MacOS and Linux. If you are a Windows PC user and find a similar problem, these tips on how to fix printer driver is unavailable are for you.

How Fix Printer Driver is Unavailable in Windows

What’s the Meaning of the Error?

The pop-up message that comes up shows the error that happens in your printer driver. The unavailable driver means that your driver that is installed is outdated or not compatible. It can also mean that your computer cannot recognize the driver, or the driver is corrupt.

When your computer fails to recognize the printer driver, you cannot access the printer and use it. Issues like these are common to find and it can be fixed with several solutions.

What to Do

Solution 1: Check Hardware Connection

The first thing to do when you find out your printer is not working is checking the printer for any possible problems like cartridge dislocation, USB connection problems, or hardware faults. To solve this, try to disconnect the printer and reconnect it again to the computer. Try to use it for printing and check the response.

Solution 2: Restart your PC/Laptop

After that, the second idea on how to fix printer driver is unavailable on Windows 10, Windows 8/8.1, Windows 7 is by rebooting your computer. Once it’s on, connect the computer with the printer. Again, see the response. When you print, make sure that you use an administrative account. And if you don’t have one, log in with your account and try to print again. If you already do these things, and nothing works, also try these other solutions to help you.

Solution 3: Remove/Uninstall Printer Driver manually and Reinstall

Another thing to do is by uninstalling the printer and all the related software, you need to uninstall it. Once it is uninstalled, reinstall the driver that suits working for your operating system. Reconnect it, after installing the default drivers. Another way on how to fix printer driver is unavailable is by checking the version of your operating system. If the printer driver is fine, then it’s time to check the Operating System.

Solution 4: Update Windows 10


An outdated operating system can also cause the printer driver to be unavailable on the error pop-up message. If it’s your case, then, you’ve got to install all the Windows updates on your computer to solve the issue. To do the task, go to the Search Bar button located beside the Windows Start Menu button, click the word Update.

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