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The “Driver is unavailable” message on a printer means Windows no longer has a usable driver for it. Most often a Windows update got in the way, or the driver was not built for your version of Windows.
Common symptoms and causes
- In Printers & scanners, the words “Driver is unavailable” appear under the printer’s name, and printing fails.
- The message often shows up after a Windows update, which can swap the manufacturer’s driver for a generic one or remove a driver it considers incompatible.
- The driver package is damaged.
- The installed driver was not built for your version of Windows.
- On Windows 11, some Epson printers connected over USB fail to install their driver.
Microsoft, Epson and user forums point to these causes. Windows itself does not tell you which one applies to you.
Good to know: Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Recent drivers for that system are getting harder to find.
Before you start
- Write down the exact printer model. It is printed on the printer itself or on the receipt.
- Check your Windows version (10 or 11) and whether it is 32-bit or 64-bit in the system information. A recent PC is almost always 64-bit.
- Make sure you have an Internet connection for Windows Update and the manufacturer’s website.
- The menu paths below are those of Windows 11. On Windows 10, the printer list is under Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
Good to know: PCs with an ARM processor, such as some Copilot+ PCs, sometimes reject the manufacturer’s installer. On those machines, use Add device (solution 2).
Warning: removing a printer (solution 2) erases its settings and print queue. Note your custom preferences first (paper size, quality, double-sided printing). Let any running print jobs finish too.
Solution 1: let Windows update the driver
Windows Update is the method Microsoft recommends first: it installs the printer driver on its own. The printer must already be added in Windows. Check for updates, install whatever is offered, then force the driver update.
- Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > (your printer) > Manage.
- Click Update driver and follow the instructions.
- Print a test page.
Expected result: “Driver is unavailable” disappears from under the printer’s name and the test page prints.
Good to know: according to user reports, some printer drivers also appear among the optional updates in Windows Update. Nothing there? Move on to the next solution.
Solution 2: remove the printer and add it again
Removing the printer forces Windows to start from scratch. It then reinstalls the driver it recommends.
Warning: step 2 erases the printer’s settings and print queue. Note your custom preferences first.
- Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners (on Windows 10: Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners) and click the printer in question.
- Remove the printer with the remove button on its page, then confirm.
- Restart the PC.
- Go back to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Add device. On Windows 10, use the add button on the same page.
- Select your printer in the list and let Windows install the recommended driver.
- Check for updates in Windows Update to pick up the latest driver.
Expected result: the printer shows up in the list again without the “Driver is unavailable” message.
Tip: if the error appeared right after an update, the guide on printer not working after a Windows 11 update covers the other settings that change.
Solution 3: install the manufacturer’s full driver (HP, Epson, Canon, Brother)
The manufacturer’s full driver replaces the generic Windows one. Skip the CD that came with the printer: its driver may be out of date.
- Find the exact model number of the printer.
- Open the manufacturer’s official website, support or drivers section.
- Search for your model.
- Choose your version of Windows and its architecture, 32-bit or 64-bit.
- Download the driver made for that version, never one meant for an older version of Windows.
- Right-click the downloaded file and open it.
- Follow the installation wizard, then restart the PC if it asks you to.
Expected result: the installation finishes and the printer prints again.
Tip: for an Epson inkjet connected over USB on Windows 11, take the latest Epson driver. Older versions do not always detect the USB port during installation.
If nothing works
Start with a full restart of the whole printing chain. According to user reports, this sequence sometimes does the job:
- Turn the printer off and wait 10 seconds.
- Restart the PC.
- Turn the printer back on and print again.
Also according to those reports, restarting the print service helps. In a Command Prompt opened as administrator, type net stop spooler, then net start spooler.
Next, try another USB port, another cable or a network connection, then another PC. If the printer works elsewhere, the problem lies with your Windows. A printer that is too old may have no driver at all for Windows 11.
Then contact the manufacturer’s support with the exact model and your Windows version, build number included. For the most common brands, see also HP printer driver problems and Epson printer drivers.
If the printer is too old to work with Windows 11, here are three recent, reliable models to compare.
- HP Envy 6520e, colour inkjet all-in-one printer with automatic duplex and Wi-FiPrints, copies and scans in colour, with automatic two-sided printing, an automatic document feeder and a touchscreen. A versatile dual-band Wi-Fi inkjet for a household that prints documents and photos.AmazonSee at Amazon
- HP Smart Tank 5107, colour all-in-one printer with refillable ink tanksPrints, copies and scans in colour, with up to 3 years of ink included and a yield of about 6,000 pages in black and in colour. Compatible with Windows 10 and 11 and Wi-Fi, it suits a household that prints often.AmazonSee at Amazon
- HP Smart Tank 7605, A4 all-in-one printer with refillable ink tanks and faxPrints with automatic duplex, copies, scans and faxes, with up to 3 years of original HP ink included. Dual-band Wi-Fi and Ethernet: a full-featured model for a small office or a household that prints a lot.AmazonSee at Amazon
Take better care of your printer: our toolbox
A good cable, supplies that match your model and, if yours is worn out, a recent printer make everyday printing easier.
- Amazon Basics PC045 USB-A to USB-B printer cable, 4.8 mConnects a printer with a USB-B port to your PC. Handy for ruling out a faulty cable when the driver will not install.AmazonSee at Amazon
- Epson 603XL Starfish, genuine 4-cartridge multipackHigh-capacity black, cyan, magenta and yellow for compatible Expression Home XP and WorkForce WF printers. Check the 603 reference on your printer before ordering.AmazonSee at Amazon
- HP 305XL, genuine 2-pack of black and tri-colour cartridgesHigh-yield cartridges for compatible HP DeskJet and ENVY printers. Check the 305 reference on your printer before ordering.AmazonSee at Amazon
- Canon PG-545XL x2 + CL-546XL, genuine ink multipackTwo high-capacity black cartridges and one colour cartridge for compatible Canon PIXMA printers. Check the 545 and 546 references on your printer before ordering.AmazonSee at Amazon
- Brother TN-2510XL, genuine high-capacity black tonerBlack toner rated at about 3,000 pages for compatible Brother laser printers. Check the TN-2510 reference on your device before ordering.AmazonSee at Amazon
- Navigator Universal A4 80 g paper, box of 5 reamsWhite multipurpose paper for inkjet and laser printers. Consistent paper helps avoid jams and keeps the printer in good shape.AmazonSee at Amazon
- Brother HL-L2865DW, Wi-Fi duplex monochrome laser printerCompact black-and-white laser printer with Wi-Fi, Ethernet and USB, and automatic double-sided printing. A practical choice at home for regular documents.AmazonSee at Amazon
- Epson EcoTank ET-2870, ink tank multifunction printerWi-Fi 3-in-1 printer refilled with ink bottles rather than cartridges. Suited to people who print in colour regularly.AmazonSee at Amazon
Frequently asked questions
What does “Driver is unavailable” mean for a printer?
Windows no longer has a usable driver to talk to the printer. The driver is the small piece of software that translates your documents into the printer’s language. It can be missing, damaged or wrong for your version of Windows.
How do I reinstall a printer driver on Windows 11?
Remove the printer in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, restart the PC, then add it again with Add device. Windows installs the recommended driver. For a more complete driver, download the Windows 11 one from the manufacturer’s official website.
Why does my printer driver disappear after a Windows update?
A Windows update can replace the manufacturer’s driver with a generic one, or remove a driver it considers incompatible. Microsoft names updates as a frequent source of driver problems. Reinstall the driver through Windows Update or from the manufacturer’s website.
“Driver is unavailable” on an HP or Canon printer: is the fix different?
No, the Windows-side fixes are the same for every brand. Only solution 3 changes: download the driver from your manufacturer’s official website, for your exact version of Windows.
Why does the Epson driver installation fail on Windows 11?
On Windows 11, the USB port of some Epson inkjet printers is no longer detected automatically during installation. Epson recommends installing its latest driver for Windows 11. Otherwise, cancel the installation or add the USB port by hand when the wizard asks for it.
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