Printer driver is unavailable: how to fix it

When Windows shows printer driver is unavailable under your printer’s name, it still remembers the printer but cannot load the software that translates your documents into something the printer understands. Nothing prints until that is fixed. The good news is that this is a software problem, so it can be fixed from the computer in about fifteen minutes, without opening the printer.

This page replaces the old “online services” page on this site. Instead of a list of services, it gives you the exact steps for Windows 11 and macOS. If your printer shows offline rather than driver unavailable, go to the printer offline fix first, because offline is usually a network problem, not a driver problem.

Why the driver becomes unavailable

The usual causes are:

• A Windows feature update replaced or blocked an older driver.
• A corrupted driver package, often after an interrupted install or a crash during printing.
• The wrong driver, for example a 32-bit or older driver for a different Windows version, or an x64 driver on an ARM-based Windows PC.
• Security changes. Windows 11 tightens what print drivers may do. Very old drivers may no longer load.

Microsoft is also changing how printer drivers are delivered. It has published an end-of-servicing plan for third-party printer drivers and now favours the Microsoft IPP Class Driver, which is built into Windows and works with printers that support the Mopria standard. In practice, most network and USB printers sold in recent years can print without installing anything from the manufacturer. See Microsoft’s end-of-servicing page in the sources for the current timeline.

Step 1: Restart and update Windows

Restart the computer first; a pending update can hold a driver in a half-installed state. Then open Settings > Windows Update, install what is offered, and check Advanced options > Optional updates. Printer drivers sometimes appear there under Driver updates. Install any listed for your printer and restart again.

Step 2: Remove the printer

1. Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
2. Select the printer that shows “Driver is unavailable”.
3. Choose Remove and confirm.

Step 3: Remove the old driver package

Removing the printer leaves the driver on the computer, and Windows will often reuse the same broken driver when you add the printer back. Remove it properly:

1. On the Printers & scanners page, scroll to Related settings and choose Print server properties.
2. Go to the Drivers tab.
3. Select the driver for your printer and click Remove.
4. Choose Remove driver and driver package and confirm.

If Windows says the driver is in use, restart the computer and try again, or stop and start the print spooler as shown in our print spooler fix. Only remove drivers for printers you are fixing; other printers on the list need theirs.

Step 4: Add the printer again

Option A: let Windows choose the driver

Make sure the printer is on and connected, then go to Printers & scanners and click Add device. When your printer appears, click Add device next to it. For Mopria-compatible printers, Windows installs the built-in IPP driver automatically. This is the simplest and most stable option for everyday printing.

If the printer does not appear, click Add manually, choose to add the printer by IP address or hostname, and enter the address from the printer’s network configuration page. When asked for a driver, the Windows Update button refreshes the list of drivers Windows can download.

Option B: use the manufacturer’s driver

If you need features the built-in driver does not offer, such as scanning, finishing options or detailed ink levels, download the driver from the printer manufacturer’s own website. Type the manufacturer’s address yourself rather than clicking ads, search for your exact model number (on the label on the printer), and choose the download for Windows 11 and your PC type (x64 or ARM64). Run the installer and follow its steps.

Step 5: Test

In Printers & scanners, select the printer and choose Print test page. If it prints, you are done. If the driver is still unavailable, repeat step 3 and check that you picked the right download for your Windows version and processor type, which you can find in Settings > System > About.

Signs the driver works but is the wrong one

A printer can install without any error and still have the wrong driver. Watch for these after reinstalling:

• Pages of random symbols, code or one line per sheet. The driver speaks a printer language the printer does not understand, for example a PCL driver on a printer that expects PostScript, or a driver for a similar but different model. See printer printing gibberish.
• Some file types fail while others print. Large PDFs with transparency or unusual fonts are the most common casualty of a limited or outdated driver; see printer won’t print PDF.
• Missing options such as two-sided printing, the right trays or paper types. The built-in IPP driver offers the common options; for advanced finishing the manufacturer’s driver may be needed.

If you share the printer from one Windows computer to others, the computers connecting to it also need a matching driver. When they fail to connect or cannot set the shared printer as default with a numbered error, see error 0x00000709.

Fixing driver problems on a Mac

macOS does not show “driver is unavailable”, but you may see a printer that will not print, an error about printer software, or missing options. Most current printers use AirPrint, which needs no driver at all.

1. Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
2. Select the printer and click Remove Printer.
3. Click Add Printer, Scanner or Fax, select your printer, and in the Use menu choose AirPrint if it is offered.
4. Click Add and print a test page.

If your printer does not support AirPrint, install the macOS software from the manufacturer’s own site. If printing still fails, Apple’s last-resort option is Reset Printing System (Control-click the printer list), which removes all printers so you can start clean. Other Mac-specific causes, such as older driver software after a macOS update, are covered in printer not working on Mac.

Avoid driver scams

Search results and pop-ups for “printer driver download” are full of sites that are not the manufacturer, offering “driver updaters” or asking you to call a support number. You do not need them. Windows Update, the built-in driver and the manufacturer’s own website cover every printer. If a site asks for payment or remote access to install a printer driver, close it.

Related fixes

• If removing the driver fails because jobs are stuck, use the print spooler fix.
• If Windows shows the printer in an error state after reinstalling, see printer in error state.
• For everything else, the printer troubleshooting guide lists every fix by symptom.