When the computer cannot recognize or interact with the printer driver, you are prevented from printing. Fortunately, this common issue in the printing world is often resolvable with a few adjustments. Explore the solutions below to fix the problem.
1. Run the Printer Troubleshooter
Windows Printer troubleshooter goes through your system, identifies any issues with the printer’s connectivity or configuration, and attempts to automatically fix them. It’s an optimized solution that can resolve the issue without requiring extensive technical knowledge from the user. By simply running the troubleshooter, you set in motion a process that could bring your printer back to operational status in no time.
2. Make Sure the Print Spooler Service Is Running
Print Spooler service is an essential background process that manages the print queue and interfaces with your printer. If it’s stopped, your print jobs won’t be processed. Making sure that the Print Spooler is active and running smoothly can restore this critical link, allowing your pending documents to reach the printer once again.
3. Verify the Correct Printer Is Set as Default
When the wrong device is set as default, documents sent for printing may go to a different printer or not print at all. By making sure the right printer is set as default, you align the print jobs with the intended device, effectively clearing a common issue that could be mistaken for a driver issue.
4. Download Drivers from the Manufacturer’s Website
When original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) release new drivers, they make sure the software is optimized to facilitate smooth communication between your system and the printer. By hand-picking the most recent drivers released for your exact printer model and operating system, you not only guarantee compatibility but also get potential enhancements and critical fixes that resolve known issues. By sourcing drivers directly from the manufacturer, you reduce the likelihood of encountering compatibility issues that can occur from using incorrect drivers. If you are unable to locate the correct drivers, you might consider using a driver updater tool for automated updates. Here are the 5 best driver updater programs for Windows.
5. Uninstall the Printer Driver
Uninstalling the printer driver removes any existing software conflicts or corruption that might be blocking communication between your printer and computer. By reinstalling, you make sure that the most compatible and up-to-date drivers are in place, which can often resolve the issue and restore your printer’s functionality.
6. Install the Latest Drivers Manually
If reinstalling the printer does not solve the problem, you might need to update the drivers manually. For example, following a Windows update, printer functionality might be disrupted; this was notably the case with some HP printers. To prevent such issues, download the specific drivers for your hardware from the manufacturer’s site and disable Windows from updating drivers automatically.
7. Install Generic Printer Driver
If previous methods have failed and your printer is undetected by your computer or appears as an “Unknown device”, you might need to install a default generic printer driver manually. These universal drivers are designed to work with a wide range of printers and provide basic printing capabilities. Although they may not enable all the advanced features of your device, they ensure that your printer is operational and can perform the basic tasks, thereby allowing you to continue printing while you seek a more permanent fix or support from the manufacturer.
8. Contact Manufacturer Support
Manufacturer support teams have specialized knowledge and access to advanced troubleshooting techniques that might not be available to the general public. By contacting them, you might receive personalized guidance, firmware updates, or even learn about known issues with specific drivers. In some cases, they might offer remote assistance or direct you to a service center if a hardware issue is suspected.
