If you own a Hewlett-Packard (HP) printer or any other HP hardware component, you may encounter driver issues at some point. Driver errors can lead to various problems, such as the driver is unavailable error message. In this article, we will discuss the common causes of driver errors and provide step-by-step instructions on how to download, install, and fix HP drivers.
Common Causes of Driver Errors
Before we delve into the solutions, let's first understand why driver errors occur. Here are some common causes:
- Faulty drivers: Sometimes, manufacturers release driver updates that contain bugs or glitches. Rolling back to the previous version can resolve the issue.
- Outdated drivers: If you don't regularly update your drivers, they may become incompatible with your devices over time. Using driver update software can help you stay up to date.
- Corrupted drivers: Like other files on your PC, drivers can become corrupted due to malware, hardware bugs, unexpected shutdowns, or interference from other software. Reinstalling the driver can fix the issue.
- Outdated operating system: Running an outdated version of your operating system can cause compatibility problems with drivers.
- Windows updates: Changes made to your system via Windows updates can also lead to driver compatibility issues. Rolling back Windows to a previous update can help.
- Incorrect installation: Manually updating drivers can sometimes result in the installation of the wrong driver or improper installation, leading to driver unavailability.
If you encounter the driver is unavailable error on your Windows 10 PC, follow these steps to fix it:
Step 1: Roll Back Your Printer Driver
If your printer driver recently updated before the error appeared, rolling back to the previous version can solve the issue:
- Open the Control Panel via the Start menu and click view devices and printers .
- Locate the affected printer, right-click it, and select properties .
- Go to the Hardware tab and click properties .
- In the new pop-up window, go to the Driver tab and click roll back driver .
- If prompted, confirm by clicking Yes or OK.
Step 2: Update Your Printer Driver
If rolling back the driver didn't solve the issue, make sure you have the latest driver version installed:
Troubleshooting hp printer: tips & solutions- Open the Device Manager via the Start menu.
- Locate your printer within the list of devices, right-click it, and select update driver .
- Click search automatically for drivers and follow the on-screen instructions for installation if an update is available.
Step 3: Update or Roll Back Windows
Ensure that your operating system is up to date:
- Open Settings through the Start menu, then click update & security .
- Select windows update, then click check for updates .
- If any updates are available, follow the on-screen instructions to install them.
If a recent Windows update coincided with the appearance of the error message, you can try rolling back Windows to see if that solves the problem.
Step 4: Uninstall Your Printer Driver
If your printer driver is corrupted or incorrectly installed, you'll need to uninstall it:
- Open Settings via the Start menu, then click devices .
- Select printers and scanners .
- Select print server properties .
- Click the drivers tab, select the problematic printer driver in the list of installed drivers, and click remove .
- Select remove driver and driver package, then click OK. If asked for confirmation, click delete .
Step 5: Download and Install a New Printer Driver
After uninstalling the printer driver, download and install the correct driver for your specific printer model:
- Open Settings via the Start menu and click devices .
- Select printers & scanners, then click the name of the printer followed by remove device .
- Click the + button next to add a printer or scanner and select the name of the printer.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to pair your PC with the printer. Windows should automatically find, download, and install the appropriate driver.
If automatic installation doesn't work, manually locate the driver on the printer manufacturer's website, download it, and follow their installation instructions.
Hp keyboard troubleshooting: fix connectivity & performanceIf you own an HP printer and encounter the driver is unavailable error, you can fix it by using an HP Drivers Updater tool or doing it manually:
- Locate your printer's name on the outer shell of your printer.
- Go to the HP Printer Driver Downloads page.
- Enter the name of your printer in the search box and choose the appropriate driver.
Here are some additional tips for fixing common HP printer driver is unavailable errors:
- Check your internet connection: If your HP printer is using HP+, a faulty internet connection could make your printer driver unavailable to HP servers. Fix any connection problems before proceeding.
- Use a universal driver: You can try using one of HP's universal drivers, which work across several models.
- Use HP's driver diagnostic tool: HP's Print and Scan doctor can potentially diagnose your printer driver issue and offer a solution.
- Roll back HP's update: If your HP printer worked fine before updating, roll back the driver update using Windows Device Manager.
Other Printer Driver Errors and How to Fix Them
If you encounter driver errors with printers from other brands, such as Canon or Epson, you can follow similar steps to fix the issues:
- Canon printer driver: Visit Canon's software driver page and manually search for your specific printer model to download and install the correct driver.
- Epson printer driver: Visit Epson's printer support page and search for your specific printer model to download and install the correct driver.
Here are a few other errors that could be causing printer driver issues:
- Print spooler needs restarting: Restart the print spooler through the built-in Services app to ensure that print jobs are properly queued.
- Administrator access: Some drivers require administrator rights for security reasons. Switch to your administrator account and check if the printer driver is still unavailable.
If the above solutions don't resolve the issue, you can try the following troubleshooting options:
Connecting and troubleshooting hp printers - a comprehensive guide- Windows Troubleshooter: Windows 10 has a built-in printer troubleshooter that can help identify and fix problems. Open the troubleshooter through the Windows search bar and run it.
- Clean your PC: Clean up your computer to ensure that junk files are not interfering with your driver. Use PC cleaning tools to optimize your system.
- Unplug and replug the printer: Sometimes, simply unplugging and replugging your printer can reset the driver issue.
- Contact support: If all else fails, contact your printer's customer support center for further assistance.
Keep All Your Drivers Updated
Ensuring that all your drivers are up to date is crucial for optimal PC performance. Consider using driver update software, such as AVG Driver Updater, to automatically manage your drivers. This tool keeps track of driver updates for all your hardware components, ensuring that you never miss a new release. By keeping your drivers updated, you can enhance audio and video quality, improve Wi-Fi connectivity, and enjoy faster browsing. Install AVG Driver Updater today and give your PC a refresh with a free driver scan.
Q: How do I download HP drivers?
A: To download HP drivers, go to the HP Printer Driver Downloads page, enter the name of your printer in the search box, and choose the appropriate driver.
Q: How do I install HP automatic driver?
A: You can install an HP automatic driver by using an HP Drivers Updater tool or by manually downloading and installing the driver from the HP website.
Q: How do I fix my HP driver?
A: To fix an HP driver, you can try rolling back the driver, updating the driver, reinstalling the driver, or using HP's driver diagnostic tool. If all else fails, contact HP's customer support for further assistance.
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