Printer says Driver is unavailable

[Rach56]

Printer that is connected to my computer says Driver is unavailable

[Alden4]

Hi @Rach56,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

If your HP printer is showing a "Driver is unavailable" message, it usually means there's an issue with the driver software on your computer. Here's a step-by-step guide to troubleshoot this.

Basic Checks:

Restart Your Computer and Printer: Sometimes a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches.

Check Printer Connection: Ensure the printer is properly connected to your computer via USB cable or Wi-Fi.

Windows:

If you're using Windows, follow these steps:

Update Driver:

• Press Windows Key + X and select "Device Manager."
• Look for your printer under "Print queues" or "Other devices."
• Right-click on the printer and select "Update driver."
• Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software."
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.

Reinstall Printer Driver:

• Press Windows Key + X and select "Apps and Features."
• Find your printer software in the list, click on it, and select "Uninstall."
• Visit the HP Support website to download the latest driver for your specific printer model.
• Follow the instructions to install the new driver.

 

macOS:

If you're on a Mac, try these steps:

Delete and Re-Add Printer:

• Go to "System Preferences" > "Printers & Scanners."
• Select your printer from the list and click the "-" (minus) button to remove it.
• Then click the "+" (plus) button to add it again.
• macOS should automatically download and install the latest driver.

Download Driver from HP:

• Visit the HP Support website and download the latest driver for your printer model.
• Install the driver following the on-screen instructions.

 

Additional Steps:

Disable Antivirus/Firewall: Sometimes security software can interfere with printer drivers. Temporarily disable your antivirus/firewall and try installing the driver again.

Check Windows Update (Windows): Make sure your Windows is up to date as sometimes driver updates are delivered through Windows Update.

Check for System Updates (Mac): Ensure your macOS is up to date by clicking the Apple logo in the top-left > "System Preferences" > "Software Update."

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4

HP Support