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“Driver is unavailable” in Windows: how to fix it

Last reviewed: October 2026, against Microsoft's official printer driver pages · For Windows 11 and Windows 10 · Most brands (HP, Canon, Epson, Brother and others).

In Printers & scanners, your printer shows “Driver is unavailable” and won't print. A driver is the small program that lets Windows talk to your printer. This message means Windows can't find a working one, often after a Windows update or after removing and re-adding the printer.

⚡ Quick fix (try this first)

  1. Turn the printer off, restart your computer, then turn the printer back on.
  2. Check for updates: Start → Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates. Microsoft recommends Windows Update as the main way to get printer drivers.
  3. Try printing again.

Step by step (Windows 11)

  1. Check your Windows version

    Select Start → Settings → System → About and note whether you have Windows 11 or 10, and 64-bit or 32-bit. You'll need this to pick the right driver.

  2. Let Windows update the driver

    Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners, select your printer, then select Manage → Update driver. If you don't see that option, use Windows Update (Quick fix, step 2). It may list printer drivers under Advanced options → Optional updates.

  3. Remove the printer and add it again

    1. In Printers & scanners, select your printer, select Remove, and confirm.
    2. Restart your PC.
    3. Back in Printers & scanners, select Add device next to Add a printer or scanner, and let Windows install the recommended driver.

    Windows 10: select the printer → Remove device, then Add a printer or scanner.

  4. Install the driver from the printer maker

    If Windows can't find a driver, get one from the manufacturer:

    1. Find your printer's exact model number (usually on the front or a label on the printer).
    2. Go to the maker's official support website (HP, Canon, Epson, Brother and so on), open the Support or Drivers section, and search for your model.
    3. Download the driver that matches your Windows version and 32-bit or 64-bit, install it, and restart your PC.
    Only download drivers from the printer maker's own website (or Windows Update). Avoid “driver download” sites, “driver updater” programs and search ads offering drivers or printer support phone numbers. Some of these are scams.

  5. Print a test page

    In Printers & scanners, select your printer and choose Print test page.

If that didn't work

Try these in order, from easiest to hardest.

  1. EasyRun the printer troubleshooter

    On Windows 11, open the Get Help app and run the printer troubleshooter. It runs checks and tries to fix common printer problems automatically.

  2. MediumRoll back the driver (if it started after an update)

    1. Select Start, type Device Manager and open it.
    2. Expand Printers or Print queues, right-click your printer and choose Properties.
    3. On the Driver tab, select Roll Back Driver if it's available, then restart.

  3. MediumRestart the Print Spooler

    Press Windows + R, type services.msc, press Enter, right-click Print Spooler and choose Restart. See the full steps.

  4. HarderSome HP printers: remove a leftover “Null Print” driver

    A 2019 Microsoft community answer described an issue affecting some older HP models (for example DeskJet 4670, ENVY 5000, OfficeJet 3830), which show “Driver is unavailable” after being uninstalled and re-added. A leftover file called nullprint.inf stops Windows from finding the real driver.

    1. Search for cmd, right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
    2. Type pnputil /enum-drivers and press Enter.
    3. Look for an entry whose Original Name is nullprint.inf. If there isn't one, stop here: this isn't your problem.
    4. Note its Published Name (for example, oem12.inf), then type pnputil /delete-driver followed by that name, and press Enter.
    5. Remove the printer and add it again (Step 3 above).

    Only delete the nullprint.inf entry. Deleting other drivers can stop other devices working. If you're not comfortable with this, ask a trusted tech person or contact HP.

Still says “Driver is unavailable”? The maker may not offer a driver for your printer on your version of Windows. Check your model's support page for a Windows 11 or 10 driver, or contact the maker.

Driver fixed but the printer says offline? See Printer says offline. Can't find the printer at all? See Printer won't connect.

Sources

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