How Do You Fix the “HP Printer Driver Is Unavailable” Error?

When your printer suddenly stops working and shows the dreaded “HP printer driver is unavailable” error, it can bring your entire workflow to a halt. Whether you’re trying to print an important document or a shipping label, this issue can occur unexpectedly — but fortunately, it’s easy to fix once you understand the causes.

The HP printer driver acts as a bridge between your printer and computer, translating digital commands into printable output. When the driver becomes outdated, corrupted, or incompatible with your system, your printer may fail to respond, resulting in the “driver is unavailable” message.

If your HP printer driver keeps showing this error on Windows or Mac, don’t worry. This blog will explain what causes it, how to fix it effectively, and how to prevent it from recurring.

“HP Printer Driver Is Unavailable” Error

This error typically appears when your operating system can’t recognize or communicate with the installed printer driver. It’s common after a Windows update, new software installation, or if the printer driver gets corrupted.

When this happens, you may notice:

• The printer not responding to print commands.
• The device status showing “Driver Unavailable.”
• Printer software failing to launch or connect.
• Printing jobs getting stuck in the queue.

Essentially, it means your PC or Mac doesn’t have the right software to run your printer correctly.

Main Causes of HP Printer Driver Unavailable Error

Let’s look at the most common reasons behind this frustrating message:

1. Outdated or Corrupt Drivers

The most frequent cause is outdated or corrupt printer drivers. This often happens after a system update or when old driver files get damaged.

2. Incompatible Windows Update

Sometimes, new Windows updates replace or disable existing HP printer drivers, causing communication errors.

3. Faulty Printer Installation

If the printer was not installed properly or the installation process was interrupted, your system may fail to detect the driver correctly.

 Missing HP Software4.

If essential HP software components were accidentally deleted, your printer won’t work even if the device appears connected.

5. Connectivity Problems

Loose cables, unstable Wi-Fi connections, or USB port issues can prevent your computer from identifying the printer driver.

Quick Fixes for HP Printer Driver Is Unavailable Error

You don’t need to be a tech expert to fix this issue. The following step-by-step solutions will help you bring your printer back online quickly and easily.

1. Restart Devices and Check Connections

Before diving into advanced fixes, start with the basics:

• Power off your HP printer and unplug it for 30 seconds.
• Restart your computer.
• Reconnect all cables securely or ensure your printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Sometimes, temporary connection glitches are the root cause of the problem.

2. Run Windows Troubleshooter

Windows includes a built-in tool that can automatically detect and fix printer issues.

To run the printer troubleshooter:

1. Go to Settings → System → Troubleshoot → Other Troubleshooters.
2. Click Run next to Printer.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to apply fixes.

If the tool finds configuration or driver errors, it will attempt to repair them automatically.

3. Update the HP Printer Driver Manually

If your HP printer driver is unavailable, reinstalling or updating it manually often resolves the problem.

Steps to update manually:

1. Visit the official HP Support website.
2. Search for your printer model.
3. Download the latest driver compatible with your Windows or macOS version.
4. Install the driver and restart your computer.

If you already have the HP Smart App installed, it can automatically detect missing drivers and prompt you to update them.

4. Reinstall the Printer Driver via Device Manager

If the existing driver files are corrupted, removing them completely and reinstalling can help.

To reinstall using Device Manager:

1. Press Windows + X and choose Device Manager.
2. Expand the Printers section.
3. Right-click your HP printer and select Uninstall device.
4. Restart your computer.
5. Once restarted, connect your printer — Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver automatically.

If not, manually install it from HP’s official site.

5. Use HP Smart App or HP Easy Start

HP provides specialized utilities that simplify installation and repair.

• HP Smart App: Helps install drivers, connect your printer to Wi-Fi, and fix common issues.
• HP Easy Start: Automatically detects your operating system and installs compatible printer drivers.

Download either tool from HP’s website and follow on-screen instructions for setup.

6. Reinstall Printer from Control Panel

If your printer installation is incomplete or corrupted, reinstalling it can clear the error.

To reinstall from Control Panel:

1. Open Control Panel → Devices and Printers.
2. Right-click your HP printer and click Remove Device.
3. Restart your computer.
4. Click Add a Printer and follow prompts to reinstall.

Once added, check if the printer responds correctly.

7. Fix Windows Update Driver Conflicts

Sometimes, after a Windows update, older printer drivers may conflict with the new system configuration.

To fix this:

1. Press Windows + I → Windows Update → Update History.
2. Uninstall the recent update that caused issues (if applicable).
3. Reboot your computer and reinstall the printer driver.

Alternatively, install all pending updates since Microsoft occasionally releases patches to resolve driver compatibility problems.

8. Download Drivers Using HP Print and Scan Doctor

The HP Print and Scan Doctor is a free official tool that automatically diagnoses and repairs issues like HP printer driver shows unavailable errors.

How to use:

1. Download the tool from HP’s official support page.
2. Open the software and select your printer model.
3. Click Start to begin diagnosis.
4. The tool will fix missing or broken driver files automatically.

If it detects multiple printers, make sure you select the correct one.

9. Reinstall Windows Printer Drivers (for Persistent Issues)

If all else fails, reinstall the generic Windows printer driver:

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Click Action → Add legacy hardware.
3. Choose Install the hardware that I manually select from a list.
4. Select Printers → Manufacturer: HP → Model: HP Universal Print Driver.
5. Complete the setup.

This installs a universal driver compatible with most HP models, bypassing specific driver errors.

Advanced Fixes for HP Printer Driver Unavailable Error

If the above solutions don’t work, try these advanced methods to eliminate deeper issues.

1. Reset the Print Spooler Service

The print spooler handles queued print jobs. If it crashes or contains corrupt data, your printer driver may not load correctly.

To reset it:

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Locate Print Spooler, right-click, and select Restart.

3. Clear your print queue and try printing again.

    

2. Check for System File Corruption

Corrupted Windows files can cause driver installation failures. Use the System File Checker (SFC) tool to repair them.

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator
2. Type:  sfc /scannow
3. Press Enter and wait for the process to complete.

After the repair, reinstall your HP printer driver again.

3. Assign Administrative Privileges

In some cases, Windows may block installation due to limited permissions. Run the driver installer as an Administrator:

• Right-click the driver file.
• Choose Run as administrator.
• Follow the setup instructions.

This ensures proper installation without restricted access errors.

Fix for HP Printer Driver Is Unavailable on Mac

If you’re a macOS user, the steps are slightly different:

1. Open System Preferences → Printers & Scanners.
2. Select your HP printer and click the “–” button to remove it.
3. Click the “+” button to add it again.
4. Select HP Easy Start during setup to automatically download the correct driver.

If macOS can’t find the latest HP driver, visit HP’s official website and download the macOS version directly.

Preventing HP Printer Driver Errors in the Future

Once you’ve fixed the issue, here are some preventive measures to ensure it doesn’t return:

• Keep your drivers updated: Check HP’s website regularly for new versions.
• Avoid abrupt shutdowns: Always turn off your printer properly to prevent software corruption.
• Run Windows Update frequently: Many driver issues are fixed through system patches.
• Use stable connections: For wireless printers, maintain a reliable Wi-Fi network.
• Create system restore points: This allows you to roll back if future updates break printer compatibility.

When to Seek Professional Assistance

If you’ve tried all these methods and your printer still shows the HP printer driver is unavailable, it could indicate deeper firmware or system-level issues.

In such cases, it’s best to contact HP support or certified technicians who specialize in hp printer troubleshooting. They can remotely diagnose the issue, reinstall firmware, or repair damaged components.

Final Thoughts

The HP printer driver is unavailable error can be annoying, but with the right approach, it’s entirely fixable. Most users resolve the issue by reinstalling drivers, updating Windows, or running the HP Print and Scan Doctor.

By maintaining up-to-date drivers, ensuring stable connectivity, and using official HP tools, you can prevent this error from reoccurring.

Remember, your printer’s driver is the key link between your device and your computer — keeping it in good health ensures smooth and hassle-free printing for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions
 

Why is my HP printer showing “Driver Is Unavailable”?
This error usually appears when the printer driver is corrupted, outdated, or not compatible with your Windows/Mac version. Reinstalling or updating the driver typically fixes the issue.

How do I reinstall the HP printer driver?
Visit the official HP Support website, enter your printer model, download the latest driver, uninstall the old driver from your system, and then install the new one.

Can Windows Update fix the driver unavailable issue?
Yes, sometimes running Windows Update → Optional Updates helps download and install the correct printer drivers automatically.

Does this error occur on Windows 11 or Mac?
Yes, this issue can occur on both platforms if the driver version is not compatible. Always download the driver based on your operating system version.