Printer shows 'driver is unavailable' and won't print

My HP printer sits in the devices list with driver unavailable underneath it. Removed it and added it back, same message. What's the proper way to fix the driver?
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1 Answer

akash_setup Oct 31, 2026
michael_27
That message means Windows couldn't match a driver, and removing and re-adding the printer just reuses the same leftover one. Do the full clean. Remove the printer in Settings, then open Print Management (search it from Start), All Drivers, right click the HP entry and Remove Driver Package. Restart. Then install the HP Smart app from the Microsoft Store or the full driver from HP and let that add the printer, rather than adding it from Settings first. If it's a wifi printer also look in Windows Update, Advanced options, Optional updates, printer drivers often sit there waiting.