A Guide to Fix the HP Printer Driver is Unavailable Error

HP printers are known worldwide for their quality performance. They are especially useful for students and working professionals as they need to print and scan various documents almost every day. However, when it becomes dysfunctional, it certainly interrupts the entire workflow of individuals. In many instances, Windows 10 users find that their HP printer driver is unavailable. This error message results in the printer becoming unresponsive. If you are too experiencing this situation, there’s no need to panic. In this long guide, you will find how you can fix this issue efficiently.

Reasons Why HP Printer Driver Is Unavailable for Windows 10

Many HP printer users report that Windows 10 printer driver is unavailable. Note that there can be several probable reasons for this error and the consequent unresponsive printer. Start by inspecting basic things like the paper in the tray, proper connection of cables to the printer, and the level of toner cartridges.

Apart from that, you should also check whether there are warning lights showing on your device or error messages on your Windows 10 system. Have you recently upgraded the OS from Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 10? It might also be the reason behind an unresponsive printer.

If your drivers are not updated, then you are likely to experience this problem. An incompatible driver is quite often the culprit behind unresponsive printers. Another reason for this error can be because of print spooler’s contents are corrupt. The printer spooler deals with all print jobs that are pending. You can get the error message because of the spooler service failure, in which the software crashes. But there’s no need to worry. You can easily install the latest driver for your HP printing device.

What Exactly is a Printer Driver?

Before finding the methods to fix Windows 10 printer driver is an unavailable error, it’s wise to know what a printer driver is. It’s a small program on your system that facilitates communication between the printer and your computer. It has two primary functions.

The first is that it acts as a bridge between your computer and printer. It lets your system comprehend the hardware requirements and details of the printing device. Its other function is to translate the data of the print job to signal that the printing device can understand.

How to Resolve the HP Printer Driver is Unavailable Issue on Windows 10?

It’s frustrating to find that your printer has stopped printing and instead is showing an HP driver is an unavailable error. There are many possible methods to fix this problem. Given below are some effective ones you can try out.

Execute the Windows Update tool

A possible reason for the error can be that your operating system is obsolete. If this is the case, you should install all the Windows updates available as soon as you can. Not only will you be able to start printing again, but you will also maintain the security and stability of your system. To execute the Windows Update, follow these steps.

• Tap the ‘Start’ button present on your screen’s bottom right corner.
• Now tap the icon of ‘Settings.’
• Select the option of ‘Update and Security.’
• Windows will start searching for updates. If it finds any of them, they will get downloaded and installed automatically.
• On the completion of the update process, restart your system. You can do a test print to see if the error has been resolved.

Install the driver again to fix HP Printer Unavailable

Installing the driver again is an easy method to try if you want to troubleshoot the driver is unavailable printer hp error. Follow these instructions to install the driver.

• Input’ Device Manager’ in the search box.
• Choose the first result you see on the screen.
• Find and expand the category of ‘Print queues.’
• Now right tap your printer.
• Select ‘Uninstall device’ from the menu displayed on your screen.
• Confirm the uninstallation and then wait for some time till it completes.
• After the process of uninstallation is done, restart your device.

Update your printer drivers manually

If the above method didn’t work out for you, you can manually update the HP printer drivers. Sometimes, the printer gets broken due to a Windows update. The updated drivers may also not function properly for all systems. So, you can update the specific driver manually by downloading it from the website of the manufacturer. It will fix the printer driver is an unavailable error. After that, you can disable the Windows update. After you download the particular drivers from the manufacturer’s website, follow the steps given below.

• Launch the ‘Run’ box by pressing the Windows key and R.
• In the dialog box, type devmgmt.msc. Your system’s device manager will be launched.
• Open the sub-menu of ‘Print queues.’ Right-click on your specific printer and choose ‘Update driver.’
• You will find a dialog box questioning you about the way you want to update the HP driver. Choose the second option of ‘Browse my computer for driver download.’ Choose the driver file that you downloaded through the browse button and update it.
• Now determine if your printer is operating as it should. If it’s working fine, then visit the official Microsoft website. once you are there, download the ‘wushowhide.diagcab’ package.
• Run this package and tap ‘Next.’
• Choose ‘Hide updates’ from the given option.
• Next, choose the printer update, if there is any, and proceed. The Windows update won’t update your drivers on its own till you command it to do so.

Install HP printer driver by using the compatibility mode

Installing the driver in compatibility mode is a good way to fix the issue of the printer driver is unavailable HP. Follow the process given below to do it.

• Navigate to the official website of HP.
• Tap ‘Support’ and then select ‘Software & drivers’ from the drop-down.
• Input the name of your printer. After that, tap ‘Submit.’
• Click the driver file for downloading it.
• After your download draws to an end, double-click the file and select ‘Properties.’
• Go over to the ‘Compatibility’ tab. Choose ‘Run this program in compatibility mode for.’
• Select ‘Windows 8’ from the menu that you see on your screen. Now checkmark ‘Run this program as administrator.’
• Select ‘Apply’ and then tap ‘OK.’ You will see the changes come into effect.
• Next, double-click the driver file. It will kickstart the installation process.
• Tap ‘Yes’ for confirming the installation.
• After you find that your driver file is installed, you need to reboot the PC. You won’t find that the HP printer driver is unavailable.

Install the generic HP printer driver

If the methods given above are not working for you, it might be that your system is not able to detect the printer. If it’s so, then you should manually install the default generic printer drivers for your printing device. Go through these steps for it.

• Hold and press the Windows key. Then, hit X. Choose’ Device Manager.’
• After the device manager gets launched, find your printer. If you aren’t able to locate it, check it in the category of ‘Unknown Devices.’
• Right-tap on the printer and then hit ‘Update Driver.’
• Now tap the option of ‘Browse my computer for drivers.’
• Choose ‘Let me pick from the list of available drivers….’ Then, choose ‘Generic Software Device.’
• Now tap ‘Next,’ and then restart your system.

Remember that if you install the driver in this manner, some functionality of your printing device may get stopped. However, the printer will still remain usable.

Uninstall your HP printer

In various instances, people also find their problem of HP driver is unavailable getting resolved by uninstalling and then installing the HP printer again. For doing it, implement the steps explained below.

• Input’ Control Panel’ on your search box. Open the search result that comes at the top.
• Next, tap ‘View by.’ After that, select ‘Large icons.’
• Select ‘Devices and Printers.’
• Simultaneously press the Windows logo and R keys. You will see the ‘Run’ box.
• On the ‘Run’ box, input’ appwiz.cpl.’ Press ‘Enter.’
• You will find the window of ‘Program and feature’ opening. When it opens, you should uninstall the application of the printer.
• After that, open ‘Device Manager.’ Expand the section of ‘Print queues.’
• Next, right-click the printer, and after that, select the option of ‘Uninstall device.’
• Keep following the instructions you see on your screen for completing the process of uninstallation.
• After uninstallation gets completed, reboot your PC.
• Next, link your printer to the PC. Install HP printer drivers by navigating to the official website of HP.
• After you install the printer drivers, try to print something. Check whether the printer driver is unavailable HP persists. Most probably, this error would have disappeared.

Summing up

Now you can confidently fix the HP printer driver unavailability problem. Run the Windows Update tool if your operating system is obsolete. You can also install the driver again to fix the error. Apart from that, try installing the printer driver through compatibility mode. If you find the issue persisting, connect with the expert HP Support team anytime you want.