USB printer driver not working

---

Understanding ‘USB Printer Driver Not Working’

A printer driver is essential software that acts as a translator, allowing your computer to communicate effectively with your USB printer. When you encounter a ‘USB printer driver not working’ error, it means this crucial communication link is broken, preventing your printer from performing its functions. Common symptoms include the printer not responding to commands, showing offline, incomplete print jobs, or displaying error messages like ‘Printer driver is unavailable.’

Common Causes of Printer Driver Problems

Several factors can lead to printer driver issues:

• Outdated Drivers: Drivers that haven’t been updated to be compatible with the latest operating system updates can cause problems.
• Corrupted Drivers: Driver files can become damaged due to improper installation, system crashes, or malware.
• Incompatible Drivers: Installing a driver designed for a different printer model or OS version will lead to malfunction.
• Conflicting Drivers: Multiple printer drivers installed on your system can sometimes conflict with each other.
• Loose Connections: Simple connectivity issues, such as a faulty USB cable or port, can often be mistaken for driver problems.
• Print Spooler Issues: The Print Spooler service, which manages print jobs, can become stuck or stop working, affecting printer functionality.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting for USB Printer Driver Issues

1. Check Physical Connections and Restart Devices

Before delving into software, always start with the basics:

• USB Cable: Ensure the USB cable is securely plugged into both your printer and your computer. Try using a different USB port on your PC, or even a different USB cable, to rule out hardware defects.
• Power Cycle: Turn off your printer and unplug it from the power source for about 30 seconds. Do the same for your computer. Then, plug everything back in and restart both devices. This can clear temporary glitches.

2. Run the Windows Printer Troubleshooter

Windows has built-in tools that can automatically detect and fix many common printer problems, including driver issues.

• Open Settings (Windows Key + I).
• Go to Bluetooth & devices (Windows 11) or Devices (Windows 10), then Printers & scanners.
• Alternatively, in Settings, navigate to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters (Windows 11) or Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters (Windows 10).
• Select Printer and click Run the troubleshooter.

3. Update Printer Drivers

Keeping your printer drivers up-to-date is crucial for compatibility and performance.

a. Through Device Manager

• Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
• Expand the Print queues or Printers category.
• Right-click on your printer and select Update driver.
• Choose Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows will try to find and install a new driver.

b. Through Windows Update

• Open Settings > Windows Update (Windows 11) or Update & Security > Windows Update (Windows 10).
• Click Check for updates.
• If available, check Optional updates or Driver updates and select any printer driver updates to download and install.

c. From the Manufacturer’s Website

If Windows cannot find a driver, or for the most up-to-date and specific drivers, always visit your printer manufacturer’s official support website.

• Identify your exact printer model number.
• Go to the manufacturer’s support or download section. (See ‘Finding Official Printer Drivers’ below for links).
• Search for your printer model and download the latest driver compatible with your operating system.
• Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions.

4. Uninstall and Reinstall the Printer Driver

A clean reinstall can resolve issues caused by corrupted drivers.

• Uninstall the Printer:
  1. Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners (Windows 11) or Devices > Printers & scanners (Windows 10).
  2. Click on the problematic printer and select Remove device, then confirm.
  3. Alternatively, open Device Manager, expand Print queues, right-click your printer, and select Uninstall device. Check the option to ‘Delete the driver software for this device’ if available.
• Restart Your Computer.
• Reinstall the Printer:
  1. After rebooting, Windows might automatically detect and reinstall the printer.
  2. If not, go to Settings > Printers & scanners and click Add device.
  3. If your printer isn’t listed, choose ‘The printer that I want isn’t listed’ and select ‘Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings,’ then follow the prompts, often selecting a USB port like USB001, USB002, etc. You may need to browse to the driver files you downloaded earlier.

5. Roll Back Driver

If a recent driver update caused the issue, rolling back to a previous version might help.

• Open Device Manager.
• Expand Print queues, right-click your printer, and select Properties.
• Go to the Driver tab and click Roll Back Driver if the option is available.

6. Restart Print Spooler Service

The Print Spooler manages all printing processes. If it’s stuck, restarting it can clear the queue and resolve issues.

• Press Windows Key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
• Scroll down and find Print Spooler.
• Right-click it and select Restart. If it’s not running, select Start.
• Ensure its ‘Startup type’ is set to Automatic.

7. Clear Print Queue

Stuck print jobs can prevent new ones from processing.

• Stop the Print Spooler service as described in step 6.
• Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS in File Explorer.
• Delete all files in this folder.
• Start the Print Spooler service again.

8. Check for Conflicting Software

Sometimes, antivirus software or firewalls can interfere with printer communication. Temporarily disable them to see if it resolves the issue, then re-enable and configure exclusions if necessary.

Finding Official Printer Drivers

It is always recommended to download drivers directly from the printer manufacturer’s official website to ensure compatibility and security. Below are links to the support pages of major printer brands where you can find drivers for your specific model:

• HP Support: Official HP® Printer Drivers and Software Download
• Canon Support: Download Canon Printer Drivers and Software
• Epson Support: Epson® Official Support – Drivers & Software
• Brother Support: Brother Drivers: Info & Downloads – Printer Drivers & More

Conclusion

A ‘USB printer driver not working’ error can interrupt your workflow, but with a systematic approach to troubleshooting, it’s often a fixable problem. By ensuring proper connections, utilizing Windows’ built-in tools, and diligently updating or reinstalling drivers from official sources, you can restore your USB printer to full functionality. Regular driver maintenance is key to preventing future issues and maintaining optimal printing performance.