What you’re seeing
- Settings lists the printer with the status "Driver is unavailable".
- Print jobs fail or the printer doesn't appear in the print dialog.
- Reinstalling the manufacturer's software doesn't clear the status.
- Removing the printer fails, or it reappears after removal.
Common causes
Every environment is different, but these are the causes our engineers find most often:
- A Windows update replaced or removed the installed printer driver.
- The driver installed is for an older Windows version or the wrong architecture.
- Leftover driver files from a previous installation conflict with the new one.
- The print spooler holds a damaged queue or driver configuration.
- Network printers switched IP addresses or ports, breaking the link to the driver.
Why it matters
A printer with an unavailable driver is effectively offline for that PC, and staff often have to walk documents to another computer or send them by email to print. When several PCs are affected after the same update, the whole office can lose printing at once. Repeated reinstall attempts also leave behind clutter that makes the next driver problem harder to sort out.
How AskTechGurus fixes it
Skip the trial and error. A certified engineer works on your actual system, finds the root cause, and fixes it properly.
Tell us what’s happening
Submit a ticket in about two minutes. Paste the error, describe what changed, and pick your tier. No charge to submit.
A certified engineer diagnoses it
A vetted, US-based systems engineer claims your ticket, usually within minutes during business hours, and investigates over a secure remote session you can watch and end at any time.
Fixed and verified with you
The engineer resolves the root cause and confirms with you that it’s working. You don’t just get a workaround, and you get a plain-English summary of what was wrong.
Pay only when it’s resolved
Fixed price from $99, invoiced only after you approve the fix. If it isn’t resolved, you don’t pay.
Frequently asked questions
Why doesn't reinstalling the software fix it?
Old driver files and print queue settings often remain behind and conflict with the new installation.
Do we need a new printer?
Usually not. In most cases, a compatible driver exists and the printer works normally once it's installed correctly.
Can the missing driver be sorted out remotely?
Yes. Our certified US engineers handle this over a remote secure session, often in a single session, and you pay only when it's resolved.