In todays digital world printers and scanners are vital tools for both professional and personal use. Solving Driver Unavailable Errors for Printers/Scanners. Despite their importance these devices are not immune to technical hiccups. Fortunately this problem can be resolved through a series of straightforward steps. This guide will walk you through the causes and solutions to fix the “Driver Unavailable” error efficiently.
Understanding the Driver Unavailable Error
Before jumping into the solutions its important to understand what the error means. A driver is a piece of software that enables your computer to communicate with hardware devices. When you see a Driver Unavailable error it generally means
The driver is missing.
The installed driver is outdated or incompatible.
The driver is corrupted.
The operating system cant locate or run the driver properly.
This error can occur with any brand or model including HP Canon Epson Brother and others and it affects both printers and scanners.
Common Causes of the Error
Understanding the root cause of the Driver Unavailable error can help in selecting the most effective fix. Common causes include:
Windows Update Glitches Sometimes a Windows update might not install the correct drivers.
Corrupted Driver Files If the driver files are corrupted due to malware improper shutdown or system errors the device won’t work.
Incompatible Drivers Installing the wrong driver version can trigger the error.
USB or Network Connection Issues Faulty USB cables or network settings may hinder driver recognition.
System Conflicts Other installed software or system configurations may interfere with driver functionality.
Initial Troubleshooting Steps
Before diving into advanced solutions, try these quick and easy troubleshooting steps:
Restart the Printer and PC
Power off both the printer/scanner and the computer
Unplug the printer from the power source for 30 seconds
Reboot both devices and check if the error persists
Check Cable or Wireless Connections
Ensure the USB cable is properly connected and not damaged
For wireless devices, verify they are connected to the correct Wi-Fi network.
Try a Different USB Port
Faulty USB ports can prevent proper communication. Try using a different port on your computer.
Reinstall the Device
Go to Control Panel Devices and Printers rightclick your printer scanner and click Remove device.
Disconnect and reconnect the printer Windows may attempt to reinstall the driver automatically.
Method 1 Updating Drivers via Windows Update
Windows often includes drivers in its update packages. Here’s how to use this feature
Steps
Click Start and go to Settings Update & Security.
Click Check for updates.
Install all available updates.
Restart your computer.
If Windows detects the appropriate driver, the issue may resolve automatically.
Manually Installing Drivers from Manufacturer Website
If Windows Update doesnt solve the problem manual installation is your next best option.
Steps
Visit the official website of your printer/scanner manufacturer (e.g., HP Canon Epson).
Search for your model using the support section.
Download the latest driver that matches your OS version (Windows 10/11 32-bit or 64-bit).
Install the driver and restart your PC.
Tip Always uninstall the old or corrupted driver before installing a new one.
Using Device Manager to Update or Roll Back Drivers
Device Manager is a built in Windows tool that allows users to manage hardware components including printers and scanners When you encounter a Driver Unavailable error using Device Manager to update or roll back the driver can often resolve the issue efficiently
To update the driver right click the Start button and select Device Manager. Locate and expand the Printers or Imaging Devices category then right-click your printer or scanner and choose Update driver. Select Search automatically for drivers and Windows will look for the latest version. If found it will install the update and may require a system restart.
If the error started after a recent driver update rolling back to a previous version may fix it. In Device Manager right click the device choose Properties go to the Driver tab and click Roll Back Driver (if available). This will revert the driver to an earlier stable version.
These steps can help resolve compatibility issues or restore lost functionality. If neither option is available or effective consider manually downloading the latest driver from the manufacturers website. Regularly checking Device Manager ensures your drivers remain current and your hardware functions correctly.
Steps to Update
Right click the Start button and select Device Manager.
Expand Printers or Imaging Devices.
Right-click your device and select Update driver.
Choose Search automatically for drivers.
Steps to Roll Back
If the error started after a driver update:
Follow the above steps but select Properties > Driver tab.
Click Roll Back Driver (if available).
Using Generic Drivers
Sometimes, using a universal or generic driver can temporarily solve the problem.
Steps
Go to Device Manager.
Right-click your printer/scanner and choose Update driver.
Select Browse my computer for drivers > Let me pick from a list.
Choose a generic printer or scanner driver and click Next.
This may limit some device features but can restore basic functionality.
Running the Windows Troubleshooter
Windows provides built in troubleshooters for hardware issues.
Steps
Go to Settings Update & Security Troubleshoot.
Click Additional troubleshooters.
Select Printer or Hardware and Devices and run the troubleshooter.
Follow on screen instructions to fix detected issues.
Method 6 Removing Driver Packages
Removing old or conflicting driver packages can clear up conflicts.
Steps
Type Print Management in the Start menu and open it.
Under Print Servers click your computer name Drivers.
Right click on outdated drivers and choose Remove Driver Package.
Reboot and reinstall the correct driver.
If Print Management is not available (in Windows Home edition) use PowerShell with administrator rights
powershell
Copy
Edit
Get-PrinterDriver | Remove-PrinterDriver
Disabling Driver Signature Enforcement (Advanced)
Some printers may fail to work due to driver signature enforcement in Windows.
Warning
This method should be used cautiously and temporarily, especially when installing third party or older drivers.
Steps
Restart your PC while holding Shift to enter Advanced Startup.
Navigate to Troubleshoot Advanced Options Startup Settings.
Press F7 to disable driver signature enforcement.
Install the unsigned driver.
Using Third-Party Driver Tools
There are reliable third-party tools that can scan your system and install the latest drivers
Driver Booster
DriverPack Solution
Snappy Driver Installer
While these tools can be effective always use them from reputable sources to avoid malware or bloatware.
Fixes for Mac Users
Mac users can also encounter similar issues though theyre less frequent.
Steps
Go to System Preferences Printers & Scanners
Select the device and click the minus sign to remove it.
Click the plus (+) sign to add it again macOS will attempt to install the correct driver.
If needed visit the manufacturer’s website for Mac compatible drivers.
Preventing Future Errors
Once youve fixed the Driver Unavailable error it’s important to prevent it from happening again.
Tips
Always install official drivers from the manufacturers website.
Avoid using outdated operating systems
Keep Windows or macOS up to date
Use antivirus software to protect against driver corruption from malware
Regularly restart your devices to ensure driver stability
Contact Support
If all else fails it might be time to seek help from the manufacturer or a professional technician.
Signs You Need Help
You’ve tried all methods but the error persists
The printer/scanner is not detected at all
Youre seeing additional errors like Device Not Recognized or “Unknown Device.
Have your device model number operating system details and error messages ready when contacting support.
Conclusion
The Driver Unavailable error, while annoying is a fixable issue. Whether youre a casual home user or managing office hardware understanding the root cause and applying the correct solution can save time money and frustration. From simple updates to advanced troubleshooting techniques this guide offers a comprehensive toolkit to restore functionality to your printer or scanner.
By following the steps outlined in this article you can confidently tackle the Driver Unavailable error and keep your printing and scanning tasks running smoothly.