[Fixed] Windows 11 Printer Driver is Unavailable

If you've encountered the frustrating error message "Windows 11 Printer Driver is Unavailable," you're not alone. This issue can disrupt your workflow and hinder your ability to print essential documents. In this article, we'll explore the possible reasons behind this problem and provide step-by-step solutions to get your printer up and running seamlessly.

Why does my printer say driver is unavailable in Windows 11?

One common cause of the "printer driver is unavailable" issue is outdated or incompatible drivers. Windows 11 relies on up-to-date drivers to ensure hardware compatibility and smooth operation. Of course, there is more than one reason that might lead to the printer driver issue.

1. Outdated or Incompatible Drivers
One common cause of the "printer driver is unavailable" issue is outdated or incompatible drivers. Windows 11 relies on up-to-date drivers to ensure hardware compatibility and smooth operation.

2. Windows Update Issues
Another culprit could be Windows update problems. In some cases, incomplete or failed updates may disrupt the proper functioning of printer drivers.

3. Print Spooler Service Glitches
Issues with the Print Spooler service can lead to driver unavailability problems. The Print Spooler manages print jobs and can impact the functioning of your printer.

4. Connectivity Problems
Poor connections between your computer and printer can cause driver unavailability. Ensure all cables are securely connected, and if using a wireless connection, check the network settings.

5. Malware or Security Software Interference
Malware or security software can interfere with printer drivers, causing them to become unavailable. Security settings may block the printer from functioning correctly.

5 ways to fix Windows 11 printer driver is unavailable

In this part, we’ll show you 5 ways to fix unavailable printer driver. All methods are simple to operate, you can try them individually.

Fix 1. Update outdated printer driver

Make sure whether your printer driver is the latest version or not. If your printer driver is not running, it may be outdated.

Step 1. Right-click on the Windows icon on the lower-left corner of your screen and choose Device Manager in the drop-down menu.

Step 2. Expand Printer queues to show your printer driver and right-click on it to choose Update driver.

Step 3. Follow the instructions on the screen to download and install the latest printer driver automatically.

Fix 2. Reinstall printer driver

If your printer driver is corrupted, the printer driver is unavailable, too. You can uninstall and reinstall it to fix this tricky issue.

Step 1. Press Win + R at the same time, type devmgmt.msc and hit Enter to launch Device Manager.

Step 2. In the Device Manager page, find and right-click the Print queues option. Then, click on Properties.

Step 3. In the pop-up window, navigate to Settings tab and click Devices and Printers Folder.

Step 4. Right-click the faulty printer and click on Remove device. After that, the driver will be removed automatically.

Step 5. To get a proper printer driver, you need to know the model code and OEM. Based on the given information, Google should navigate you to the official website.

Step 6. Download printer drivers from the website and store them on your local storage.

Step 7. Disconnect the Internet connection temporarily.

Step 8. Right-click on the driver setup that you have downloaded from the official manufacturer’s website and open Properties.

Step 9. Choose the Compatibility tab.

Step 10. In the Rin this program in the Compatibility mode drop-down menu, pick previous versions of Windows.

Step 11. Click on OK to save the changes and run the driver installer. After that, reboot your computer.

Fix 3. Check for Windows updates

When the printer driver is unavailable, you can also download and install the printer driver via Windows Update.

Step 1. Press Win + I to open Windows Settings.

Step 2. Scroll down to find Update & Security and hit it.

Step 3. In Windows Update, hit Check for updates from the right pane.

Step 4. If there is an available update, click on it to update.

Step 5. Reboot your device to apply changes.

Fix 4. Run SFC scan

There may be something wrong with your system and then your printer driver is unavailable. To fix the corrupted system files, you can perform an SFC scan as follows:

Step 1. Type cmd in the search bar to locate Command Prompt and right-click on it to choose Run as administrator.

Step 2. Type sfc /scannow and hit Enter.

Step 3. This process will take some time, please wait patiently.

Fix 5. Run the printer troubleshooter

Windows 11 has built-in troubleshooters for various hardware devices—including one for a printer.

Step 1. Click Start and open Settings.

Step 2. When Settings opens, navigate to System > Troubleshoot.

Step 3. In the Options section, click Other troubleshooters.

Step 4. Find the Printer option and click the Run button next to it.

Step 5. The printer troubleshooter will start looking for problems and attempt to fix them automatically.

Further tips: How to recover lost data caused by driver errors

Driver error is a common glitch on Windows OS. Mostly, it happens on USB drivers. When the device driver is outdated or incorrect, an external hard drive can’t be detected by the computer. What's more, driver errors may not directly lead to data loss, but they can contribute to situations where data loss becomes a possibility.

▶ System Instability: If a critical driver, such as a storage driver, encounters an error or becomes corrupted, it can lead to system instability. This instability may result in unexpected system crashes or freezes, potentially causing data loss if files were open or in the process of being saved.

▶ Incompatibility Issues: In some cases, an incompatible or outdated driver may not work well with the hardware or the operating system, leading to erratic behavior. This could potentially result in data corruption or loss if the affected hardware is responsible for storing or processing data.

If these situations appear, how can we protect our important data?

Don't worry, take it to AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. It is a feature-rich software designed to manage your disk partitions and safeguard your data. With its intuitive interface and advanced features, it stands out as a reliable solution for users facing data loss due to printer drivers or other driver-related issues.

AOMEI Partition Assistant

The Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer

Free Download
Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7

Step 1. In AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional, click Recover > Recover Data.

Step 2. Select the source drive where the Word document was saved > Start Scanning.

Step 3. When the scan is over, all deleted files, Recycle Bin, and other lost files will be listed. Please select the data you want to recover and click Recover.

Step 4. Please select a path to save recovered documents.

Step 5. The recovery progress will start and data will be saved to the path if it is successful.

Step 5. The recovery progress will start and data will be saved to the path if it is successful.

To sum up

In conclusion, addressing the "Windows 11 Printer Driver is Unavailable" issue requires a systematic approach. By employing the built-in tools and settings provided by Windows and leveraging the advanced capabilities of AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional, you can not only resolve the driver unavailability problem but also recover any data lost in the process. In addition, this tool also has the Server edition and other advanced editions for your needs.