wifi direct driver unavailable

[a-g-w]

There are several posts about this issue, yet no valid answer as of why it happens and what is a resolution.

The laptop connects to the wifi direct printer but then windows shows driver unavailable and the only option is to remove the printer, there is no manage option.

Since the printer is also hardwired to a network, it can be installed that way and drivers install fine. However that is not an option for some other computers we have in the office. 

[a-g-w · Accepted solution]

I was able to finally resolve the issue by simply rebooting the printer. What I noticed is that, after rebooting the printer, when Windows 10 discovers the printer with its WiFi Direct name, will eventually change to the actual printer name and then downloads and installs the drivers. Prior to the reboot, the WiFi direct name would still be displayed and the message "Driver Unavailable" with it and no other option other than removing the printer.

It could be that after having set the printer up and updated its firmware, I had not performed a reboot but, my advice is to restart the printer if having the issue.

I was able to set it up on two different PC so far one connected to a wired network and a WiFi card dedicated to connecting to the printer, and another one connected to a different network (from the one the printer is on) via WiFi and simultaneously connected to the printer with WiFi direct. So far the printer connection seems stable and it is permanent after a PC restart.

I hope this helps.

Andrea