Ask a new question

Win 10 printer "driver is unavailable"

I have been having problems keeping my HP 6100 "on-line" with Win 10 (as have many people, evidently; I have seen no applicable/working answer on the internet - but that's really another issue I have to resolve later).  On a new Dell laptop which came with Win 10, I had installed this printer and it worked (except when it thought the printer was off line); connection is wireless.  I uninstalled and re-installed the printer in trying to resolve that problem (this band-aid had worked for a short time on another PC).  Now the installation results in the printer showing up in Devices and Printers with the status "Driver is unavailable"; printer also shows up in the Network view of File Explorer. 

I've gone to HP's site, downloaded their latest driver, and get the result that all is ok.  Indeed, as part of that download sequence, I connect to the printer and can change settings. 

Windows disagrees. 

So I go to Device Manager, right click on the printer, and select Update Driver Software ...; result is "The best driver software for your device is already installed." 

Devices and Printers disagrees (and apps that use a printer agree with Devices and Printers).

Is there any way (other than switching to a Mac and another brand printer) to install this printer, with its driver?

Thanks.

Answer
Answer

Hi Paeyer,

Welcome to Microsoft Community.

Sorry to know that the drivers fails to install on Windows 10. I will certainly help you.

This issue might occur if the drivers are incompatibile or incorrect. I suggest you to install the drivers in Compatibility mode and check if it resolves the issue.

A compatibility mode is a software mechanism in which a software either emulates an older version of software in order to allow incompatible software or files to remain compatible with the computer's newer hardware or software. Follow below steps:

1. Go to your manufacturer’s website and download the Driver’s setup file for your computer.
2. Press Windows Key + R on your desktop screen to go to run box.
3. Type devmgmt.msc and hit Enter.
4. Under Driver, expand, then right click Printer hub and select Uninstall.
5. If you are prompted to Confirm then Confirm.
6. Go to the location where you had saved your downloaded setup files of the drivers and right click, then select

    Properties.
7. Select Compatibility Tab.
8. Place a check mark next to Run this program in Compatibility mode and select the operating system

    accordingly from the drop down list.
9. Let the driver to install and then check the functionality.

Hope this helps. If the issue remains unresolved, please get back to us and we would be happy to help.

145 people found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

Answer
Answer

Hi,

To address your issue, try reinstalling the driver. To do so, follow these steps:

  1. On the search box, type device manager and press Enter.
  2. Right-click (or tap and hold) the name of the device and select Uninstall.
  3. Restart your PC and Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver.

Let us know how it goes.

Regards.

177 people found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

 
 

Question Info

Last updated May 10, 2024 Views 221,806 Applies to: