How Do I Troubleshoot the Brother Printer Driver Unavailable Message?

If you notice the "Brother printer driver unavailable" window on your Windows PC, don't worry, you're not the only one who has encountered it. It's a very prevalent Brother printer problem among users, and generally, it happens when your computer can't talk to the Printer effectively because of a missing, broken, or outdated driver. The problem may occur anytime—even though your printer has been working fine.

This post will explain the reasons behind this problem, the best troubleshooting methods, and how to restore your Brother printer drivers to functionality. Whether you are a home user or in charge of a printer in an office setting, this comprehensive guide will assist you in quickly fixing the Brother printer driver's unavailable error.

What Does the "Brother Printer Driver Unavailable" Error Mean?

When Windows displays the "Brother printer driver unavailable" message, it indicates that the system cannot find or identify the driver software needed for the Printer to operate. Technically, the driver is either improperly installed, incompatible due to a Windows update, or corrupted.

You can also find this message worded differently, like:

• Brother printer driver is not available.
• Brother printer driver unavailable Windows 10/11.
• The printer driver is not installed.

No matter the wording, the message is the same—your Brother printer won't function until the driver is resolved.

Common Causes of the Brother Printer Driver Unavailable Error

To troubleshoot, it's essential to know why this error happens. Here are some typical reasons:

1. Missing or Damaged Drivers

This is the most typical reason. If the driver file gets deleted by mistake or damaged by malware, your system will not be able to recognize the Printer.

2. Old Drivers

An outdated driver can become incompatible with the new version of Windows, particularly after system updates.

3. Incomplete Installation of the Driver

If the installation procedure is halted or fails, the system may lack the required files to interact with the Printer.

4. Windows Update Conflicts

Sometimes, a fresh Windows update will remove or deactivate some printer drivers, resulting in this error.

5. Connection Issues

If there is an issue with the USB cable, wireless connection, or port, the printer may appear unavailable even if the driver is technically and technically installed.

Intriguingly, other printer companies commonly encounter the same setup problems. For example, Common Epson Printer Setup problems can also encompass driver mismatches or connectivity issues similar to the Brother driver problem.

How to Fix the Brother Printer Driver Unavailable Error

Here are some practical solutions to fix the Windows problem of an unavailable Brother printer driver. Begin from top to bottom and continue until the issue gets fixed.

Solution 1: Restart Your Computer and Printer

Go through a simple restart before moving on to technical procedures.

1. Switch off your Printer and disconnect it from the power supply.
2. Reboot your computer.
3. Plug in the Printer again and switch it on.

This easy step often rejuvenates the link between your computer and Printer.

Solution 2: Check for Windows Updates

An old operating system may lead to driver compatibility problems. Here's how to update Windows:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Choose Windows Update and then click Check for updates.
4. Install any available updates and restart your computer.

After restarting, verify if the Brother printer driver is unavailable. The error still occurs.

If you're also having problems with other printers, like Epson printers, contact Epson printer customer service, which can assist in determining device-specific solutions for driver or software update issues.

Solution 3: Reinstall the Brother Printer Driver

Reinstalling will solve the issue if the current driver is corrupted or unavailable.

Step-by-step:

1. Uninstall Current Driver:

• Press Windows + R, enter control printers and press Enter.
• Right-click on your Brother printer and click Remove device.
• Navigate to Control Panel > Programs and Features, locate your Brother printer software, and remove it.

2. Download the Newest Driver:

• Go to the Official Brother Support Website.
• Enter your printer model (e.g., Brother HL-L2350DW).
• Choose your Windows version and download the most recent driver.

3. Install the Driver:

• Execute the downloaded file and follow the instructions on-screen.
• Restart your computer as prompted.
• After reinstallation, verify whether the Brother printer driver unavailable error has been fixed.

Solution 4: Use Windows Device Manager to Update Drivers

You can also update your Brother printer driver via Device Manager:

• Press Windows + X and click on Device Manager.
• Open the Printers section.
• Right-click on your Brother printer and choose Update driver.
• Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
• Complete the instructions and restart your PC if prompted.

This way, your Printer will have the most compatible driver version installed.

Occasionally, a driver update fixes more than availability errors. For users experiencing the Brother Printer Not Printing Issue, updating or reinstalling the printer driver will often fix this functionality bug.

Solution 5: Run the Windows Printer Troubleshooter

Windows has an inbuilt troubleshooter that automatically detects and repairs the most common printing problems.

• Navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
• Click on More Troubleshooters.
• Choose Printer and subsequently click on Run the troubleshooter.
• Obey the instructions on the screen.

If the troubleshooter finds a missing or old driver, it can resolve the Brother printer driver unavailable Windows problem for you.

Solution 6: Check Printer Compatibility with Windows

Sometimes, older Brother printer models will not be entirely compatible with the newer Windows versions.

• Visit the Brother support website and look up your printer model.
• Look over the list of supported operating systems.
• If your operating system is not supported, you might have to use the Printer in compatibility mode or upgrade to a newer version.

This is not the only scenario with Brother printers. For instance, during Canon Printer Installation, users experience compatibility problems with newer Windows builds and are forced to install older drivers in compatibility mode.

Solution 7: Install the Printer as a Local Printer Manually

If nothing works, attempt to add the Printer manually as a local device:

• Navigate to Control Panel > Devices and Printers.
• Click on Add a printer.
• Select the printer that I want, which isn't listed.
• Select Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings.
• Select the proper port, select the Brother driver from the list, or click Have Disk if you downloaded the driver manually.

This can circumvent detection mistakes resulting from the automated setup process.

Solution 8: Disable Automatic Driver Installation

If Windows continues to install the incorrect driver automatically, you can turn off this option:

• Open Control Panel.
• Navigate to System > Advanced system settings > Hardware tab.
• Click on Device Installation Settings.
• Choose No (your device may not work properly).
• Click Save Changes.

Now, install the correct Brother driver manually, as described above.

Preventing Future Driver Issues

To prevent the Brother printer driver's unavailable message in the future, try these preventive tips:

• Update your printer driver periodically from the Brother official website.
• Don't use third-party driver update software—it may install incompatible or older versions.
• Following significant Windows updates, double-check your Printer's operation.
• Always install complete driver packages containing the required tools and utilities, not just fundamental drivers.
• Keep your antivirus software updated, as malware can corrupt system files, including drivers.

Conclusion

Fixing the Brother printer driver unavailable problem can be infuriating, particularly when you are in the middle of a crucial print job. Still, by following the steps laid out in this tutorial—from simple restarts and Windows updates to complete driver reinstallations—you should be able to solve the problem in minutes.

Always ensure that you download Brother printer drivers from legitimate sources to guarantee compatibility and prevent errors in the future. Whether you have Windows 10, Windows 11, or an older version, the secret is maintaining your system and printer software in synchronization.

If you've done all of that and the Brother printer driver is unavailable, the message is still there; it may be time to seek the official help of Brother's customer support or try hardware diagnostics.

By remaining proactive with updates and driver maintenance, you can keep your Brother printer running smoothly and prevent this problem in the future.