Printer Driver Explainedīefore diving into the fixes for the “Printer driver is unavailable” error, it’s worth noting what exactly is a printer driver is. You may need to downgrade or uninstall the software and hope it works. This becomes more complicated if the driver in question is the latest version you can use.

In rare cases, you may experience the unavailable printer driver error because of a corrupt file or driver. It could also be installed incorrectly, meaning neither the printer nor the OS is able to interact with it. The driver could have also been mistakenly deleted by your security software. Some plug and play printers may actually require manual driver installation. This error can also happen when the printer driver isn’t installed at all. If your printer happens to be one of them, your options are limited to downgrading your OS or getting a new printer. Unlike earlier versions, Windows 10 doesn’t have backward compatibility with certain devices. This happened by design on the part of Microsoft. Your printer or its driver might also be incompatible with your current Windows version. Users who recently made the jump to Windows 10 from an earlier version may find that the process damaged some device drivers. Several instances of the unavailable printer driver error are linked to a software upgrade. Why Am I Getting the Printer Driver Is Unavailable Error on Windows 10? There are easy fixes that will make your printer start working again in no time. The error can appear on many printers, though HP printer users have made the most reports. If the issue occurs on your Windows 10, don’t let it deter you. If the problem goes unresolved you will not be able to carry out print jobs. Still, most of the time, the “printer driver is unavailable” error boils down to a software issue linked to the printer driver installed on the computer. Dust, dirt, paper bits and caked ink may also cause obstructions and even damage the printer. A printer that has fallen into disuse or underuse may also not work so well when put back in action.

It could be due to wear and tear on an old printing device. Of course, not every printer issue is software-related. It could even be that the printer driver became faulty and stopped responding to system commands. If a reliable printer suddenly malfunctions and throws up that error message, it may be linked to an outdated or incompatible driver. A working printer is very important this means a faulty one can cause bottlenecks. With it, you can print, scan and copy documents and share them around. The printer remains an important tool, especially in the office. While using your printer, you might get an error message saying that your “Printer driver is unavailable”.

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