How to fix printer driver not working on Windows 11

Check for Windows Updates

It goes without saying, but keeping your system up to date is crucial to ensuring your PC has the latest security, stability, and usability fixes. If there is a critical Windows error that causes printer errors, Microsoft can fix it.

To manually check for Windows updates, use the Windows key Ikeyboard shortcut to launch Settings. When Settings opens, go to Windows Update > Check for Updates and install whatever it recommends.

Your PC may restart to complete the update process, so be sure to close any important applications first.

Update your printer driver

Printer drivers often come with important bug fixes and feature upgrades. If you are using an older driver, it may cause the printer driver unavailable message to appear on your Windows 11 PC.

Fortunately, you can quickly check for driver updates, but you'll need to download the latest version of the driver from the printer manufacturer's support website. A quick Google search for your printer brand and model should help you find this.

After downloading the driver file, follow these steps:

1. Use the keyboard shortcut Windows key RStart "Run" dialog box.
2. In Run, type devmgmt.msc and click OK.
3. When Device Manager opens, expand the Printers section, right-click the printer, and select Update Driver.
4. When the Update Driver wizard opens, select Browse my computer for driver and follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver you downloaded program.
5. If this doesn't work, restart the Update Wizard, but this time select Search automatically for drivers. If a driver update is found, follow the wizard's instructions.

If you are unable to select a printer driver file, your printer manufacturer may provide an automatic installer for them (usually with a .exe file extension) . If this is the case, run the file - the new driver should install automatically.

Uninstall your printer driver

Unfortunately, if you have recently updated your driver, you may get a Printer driver unavailable error. Not every printer driver is compatible or bug-free. It's also possible that your existing drivers are corrupted and need to be replaced.

If this happens, you can try removing the driver and reinstalling it to try to resolve the issue. To uninstall and reinstall the printer driver on Windows 11, use the following steps:

1. Press the Start button, enter Device Manager, and select top result.
2. When Device Manager opens, expand the Printers section, right-click your device, and select Uninstall Device from the menu.
3. When the confirmation window appears, select the Delete the driver software for this device option, and then click the Uninstall button.
4. Restart Windows 11 to apply changes - Windows should reinstall the correct drivers during startup.

Run the Printer Troubleshooter

Windows 11 has built-in troubleshooters for various hardware devices, including a printer.

To run the printer troubleshooter on Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Click Start and open Settings.
2. When Settings opens, navigate to System > Troubleshooting.
3. In the Options section, click Additional Troubleshooting.
4. Find the Printer option and click the Run button next to it.
5. The Printer Troubleshooter will start looking for problems and try to fix them automatically.

Better printing on Windows

If you are encountering the printer driver unavailable error on your Windows 11 PC, one of the fixes above should do the trick. its working fine. Typically, you can get your printer up and running by updating or reinstalling its current drivers.

It's also worth noting that if you have a plug-and-play printer, you can unplug the USB cable, plug it back in, and rerun the setup wizard. If it doesn't work, try a different port or troubleshoot USB on Windows 11.

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