Medium severity Installation Code: Driver Is Unavailable

"Driver is unavailable" on Windows 10/11

Windows shows "Driver is unavailable" next to your printer, usually after a Windows update changed or removed the driver. The fix is to reinstall a current, compatible driver.

Symptoms

  • "Driver is unavailable" status
  • Printer won't accept jobs
  • Appeared after a Windows update

Likely causes

  • Windows update replaced/broke the driver
  • Corrupt or outdated driver
  • Driver incompatible with the OS build

How to fix it — step by step

Work through these in order; most people are fixed by the first two or three.

Remove and reinstall the driver

Settings › Printers & scanners › remove the device. Then install the latest full driver for your model and Windows version.

Run Windows Update

Some manufacturers ship drivers via Windows Update — check for optional driver updates under Windows Update › Advanced options.

Clear old driver packages

Win+R › printui /s /t2 › remove leftover packages for the model, reboot, then reinstall.

Try the Universal / built-in driver

If a model-specific driver isn't available, add the printer with the manufacturer's Universal Print Driver or a built-in IPP/Mopria driver.

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Still not fixed? For hardware faults still under warranty, contact the manufacturer's official support. This is an independent guide — always confirm steps for your exact model in its manual.

Printers this affects

HP LaserJet Pro M404dn HP LaserJet Pro MFP M428fdw Canon imageCLASS MF445dw Canon imageCLASS LBP6230dw Brother HL-L2350DW Brother HL-L2460DW Brother HL-L3270CDW Lexmark MB2236adw Lexmark MS431dw Lexmark CX431adw Xerox B210 Xerox VersaLink C405

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