How to Proceed When HP Printer Driver is Unavailable? Guide with Simple Fixes

HP printers are synonymous with reliability and excellent performance. However, even the best printers falter when their drivers are not functioning optimally. So if the HP printer driver is unavailable, there are going to be a few hiccups in the printing process.

 

What is the Issue of HP Printer Driver Unavailability?

The printer driver is the nexus between the printer and the computer. If it is unavailable, the printer will be unable to print, scan, or copy anything efficiently. It can also cause a total shutdown of the functions. The unavailability can be a result of either of the following:

·         Improper or incomplete installation of the drivers;

·         Faulty installation of a driver update;

·         System update messing up with the functioning of the printer driver.

 

What to Do When an HP Printer Driver Is Unavailable?

The issue might be quite serious, however, the silver lining is that it is quite simple to fix. In this section, we cover the various ways to address the situation when the printer driver is unavailable.

 

Method 1 - Install any Pending Windows Updates

Windows updates generally aim towards fixing an issue of the operating system. However, if kept pending for long, the system starts to show signs of malfunctioning. One such symptom is the unavailability of printer drivers. So to remove this situation, proceed with the following:

1.     Go to the Search option on the taskbar, and enter the words Update. Or, hit the Windows button plus I (Windows + I) together to launch the system Settings directly;

2.     After that, go to the option Update & Security. This will direct you to the next screen for system updates;

3.     Now, hit the button Check for Updates for the next step;

4.     If any update is available, the next step is to download and install it. This should fix the issue with the unavailable printer drivers.

Note: Before starting the update, please verify that the internet connection is stable. Also, keep the system plugged into a reliable power source at all times. Do not restart the system until the update is over in totality. This will ensure a smooth installation of the system update.

 

Method 2 - Reinstall the HP Printer Drivers/Update them

When you see that your printer driver is unavailable, it might be for a variety of reasons. These include the drivers being missing, corrupt, or damaged beyond recognition. To proceed with the reinstallation manually, proceed with the following:

1.     Go to the Device Manager of the system. This can be reached by Control Panel or the Search option on the taskbar. Or, on the keyboard, press Windows + R to launch the Run functionality, and enter devmgmt.msc, then hit Enter;

2.     Next, double-click on the Printers option to view the list of available printers;

3.     After that, right-click on the HP printer with faulty hardware and opt for Uninstall device > Delete the driver software for this device > Uninstall;

4.     Finally, restart the device to apply all changes in the system.

Note: The procedure to download and install the update is the same. However, once you remove and install the drivers, the system will by default install the latest version.

 

Bonus Method - Use the Printer Troubleshooter

The printer troubleshooter is a one-stop solution to multiple issues. Additionally, it is quite simple to operate:

1.     Hit the Windows Key + S, and enter Troubleshoot Settings > hit Enter. In the Settings window, select Other/Additional troubleshooters;

2.     Next, look for the Printer troubleshooter and then click Run/Run the troubleshooter;

3.     After that, choose the right HP printer and follow the on-screen instructions to fix the issue.

 

To sum it all up,

There is no reason to panic if the HP printer driver is unavailable. It is a common problem that has many simple solutions. So just follow the basic steps to install updates and it should solve the problem within no time. However, if the problems still persist then opt for professional help from the official HP customer support.