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Printer still has errors: remove and reinstall its driver

Step 1 of 3

Remove the printer

In this menu, click the printer’s name, then Remove and Yes.

The simulation shows Windows in English, like most laptops.

  1. Remove the printer

    In this menu, click the printer’s name, then Remove and Yes.

    SettingsBluetooth & devicesPrinters & scannersRemove

  2. Remove its old driver too

    In Printers & scanners, open Print server properties › Drivers tab. Choose the printer’s name, click Remove…, choose Remove driver and driver package, then OK.

    Printers & scannersPrint server propertiesDrivers

  3. Add the printer again

    Unplug and replug the USB cable, or click Add device. Windows installs a fresh, clean driver.

    Printers & scannersAdd device
    Best: install the driver from the printer brand’s official site.

From basic to technician

FixPrinter won't printTechnicianPrint queue stuck: restart the Print Spooler service
TechnicianPrinter still has errors: remove and reinstall its driverYou are here
Technical details (for the curious)

The “Driver is unavailable” status

Windows still remembers the printer, but its driver files are broken or gone (often after a Windows update). Removing the driver and its package makes Windows start from scratch.

Print Spooler

The Print Spooler service queues every print job. If it gets stuck: open services.msc, right-click Print Spooler › Restart. The queue files live in C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS.

Type 3 and type 4 drivers

Type 3 is the full driver from the printer maker (ink, quality and other settings). Type 4, such as Microsoft IPP Class Driver, is Windows’ generic driver for network printers: fine for printing, but with few settings.

Why “Remove driver and driver package”

“Remove driver only” leaves the package in the DriverStore, so Windows can reinstall the same broken driver. The second option removes everything.

Coming soon

Still not fixed?

In the next update you can tell us what happened, and our AI helper will suggest another way. Until then, restart the device and go through the steps once more.