A printer driver is a piece of software that facilitates your computer and the printing device to communicate. The driver links your system to your printer so your computer can decipher the hardware specifications of the printer. Many HP users using Windows 10 face the HP printer driver is unavailable Windows 10 error message. In most cases, this problem is an outcome of a software upgrade. Windows users who recently started using Windows 10 receive this message because of corrupted device drivers due to the upgrade. 

When the HP printing device is not supported with your Windows version, you may also face this error. Apart from that, this error also occurs if you haven’t installed or incorrectly installed the printer driver. A corrupt driver or file can also result in this message. In simple words, the error message means that your HP printer driver is corrupted or missing. 

 

Ways to Fix HP Printer Driver is Unavailable in Windows 10

There are many ways to tackle this error message. When you fix the issue with the driver software, you can easily overcome it.

 

Reinstall the Printer Driver

Reinstalling the printer driver to the computer is a good measure to use on facing this error. There are two ways to reinstall the HP driver. You can do so manually using the device manager in your system or automatically reinstall it.

1. Reinstall the Driver with the Device Manager

This method involves deleting and reinstalling the necessary driver software. Firstly, go to ‘Settings’ and then follow these points to fix the HP driver is unavailable printer.

1. In ‘Settings’, navigate to ‘Bluetooth & Devices.’
2. Next, select ‘Printers & Scanners.’
3. After that, find your HP printer and pick the ‘Remove’ button.
4. Confirm to delete your printing device.
5. After that, choose ‘Remove Device.’
6. Next, launch the ‘Device Manager.’
7. In its window, expand the option, ‘Printer Queues.’
8. Find and right-tap your printing device.
9. Then pick ‘Uninstall device.’
10. Next, you need to right-click on the ‘Start’ area.
11. Here, select the ‘Apps and Features’ option.
12. Now, find if there are any HP drivers or related software in this section.
13. If you find it, uninstall them.
14. After that, restart the system.
15. When your computer restarts, open the ‘Settings’ app again.
16. Head to the section ‘Bluetooth & Devices.’
17. After that, select ‘Printers & Scanners.’
18. In this section, choose ‘Add Device.’
19. Now, you need to configure your printer from the start.
20. You should head to the official HP Software and Driver Downloads page to find the latest drivers for your printing device.
21. When you find the drivers and support software on this page, download and install them on your system.

 

2. Reinstall Driver Automatically

The above method of reinstalling the printer driver through the device manager can take some time. But if you do not have the patience to follow all the steps to fix Windows 10 HP printer driver is unavailable error, reinstall the driver automatically. 

You can either utilize a third-party application for installing the correct driver or use a Windows update. To use the Windows update option, use these pointers.

1. Opt for the ‘Start’ button.
2. Now, choose ‘Settings.’
3. Select ‘Windows update.’
4. Next, choose ‘Check for updates.’
5. If there’s an updated driver, Windows update will find it and install it.
6. Your HP printing device will automatically utilize it.

Apart from that, sometimes you may find a disk available with your printer on purchase. This disk has software that allows you to install drivers and check for updates automatically.

 

Uninstall the Printer Driver

Uninstalling the printer driver from your Windows 10 system is another way to fix the HP driver is unavailable error. Here is how to uninstall the printer driver. 

1. Hit the Windows key + R on your keyboard and open the ‘Run’ box.
2. Here, input ‘Control Panel’ and tap ‘Enter.’
3. Now, tap ‘Devices and printers’ in the control panel section. 
4. You will see a list of printers. Pick the problematic printer and right-tap it. 
5. Now, choose the ‘Remove device’ option. 
6. Hit Windows + R on your keyboard, and in the Run box, input ‘devmgmt.msc.’
7. In the ‘Print queues,’ right-tap on your HP printer and choose ‘Uninstall device.’
8. Now, hit Windows + R on the keyboard and input ‘appwiz.cpl.’
9. Press Enter.
10. In the list of applications, choose your HP printer and tap ‘Uninstall.’

 

Also Read: HP Support Number

 

Employ the Compatibility Mode for Installation of the HP Printer Driver

If you are still complaining that ‘my HP printer driver is unavailable’, install it in compatibility mode. Here are the pointers to adhere to.

1. Right-tap on the HP printer driver and choose ‘Properties.’
2. Now, tap the tab ‘Compatibility.’
3. Place a tick on the box, ‘Run this program in compatibility mode.’
4. Now, choose your Windows.
5. Tap ‘Apply’ followed by ‘OK.’

 

Carry out the SFC Scan

A good HP printer driver is unavailable fix is to carry out an SFC scan. It is particularly important if the error is due to system file corruption. 

To begin, right-tap the ‘Start’ button and choose ‘Windows PowerShell/Terminal (Admin).’ Now, input ‘sfc /scannow.’ Then, hit ‘Enter.’

After that, open the DISM tool with this command: ‘DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth.’

 

 Also Read: HP Assistant

 

Summing up

Carrying out all these measures will help you successfully fix the HP printer driver is unavailable error. All of them tackle the issue from various angles, and one of them will surely yield you the result. In case you are still stuck with this error, its best to contact a professional printer technical support service.