To reinstall a printer driver in Windows 11, uninstall the affected printer in Device Manager, restart the PC, and let Windows attempt to reinstall the driver. If that does not restore printing, use Windows Update, install the model-specific driver from the printer maker’s official support site, or remove and add the printer again in Settings.
Reinstall the printer driver in Device Manager
-
Save your work, close open apps, and open Device Manager from the Start menu.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
Expand Printers and find the printer that is failing. If several printers are listed, check the model name carefully so you uninstall the correct device.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy. -
Right-click the affected printer, select Uninstall device, and confirm by selecting Uninstall.
#1 Best Overall
Dell Latitude 3190 11.6" HD 2-in-1 Touchscreen Laptop Intel N5030 1.1Ghz 8GB Ram 128GB SSD Windows 11 Professional (Renewed)- 1.1 GHz (boost up to 2.4GHz) Intel Celeron N5030 Quad-Core
-
Restart Windows. After the PC restarts, Windows attempts to reinstall the device driver; it does not guarantee that every printer will be set up automatically. Microsoft’s instructions are at Update drivers through Device Manager in Windows.
-
Try printing. If the printer is still unavailable or its driver has not returned, continue with the recovery options below.
Rank #2
Dell Latitude 5420 14" FHD Business Laptop Computer, Intel Quad-Core i5-1145G7, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD, Camera, HDMI, Windows 11 Pro (Renewed)- 256 GB SSD of storage.
- Multitasking is easy with 16GB of RAM
- Equipped with a blazing fast Core i5 2.00 GHz processor.
If Windows does not restore a working driver
Check Windows Update first
Microsoft recommends Windows Update to download, install, and update printer drivers. Check for updates in Windows Update, then test the printer again. Device Manager can also search for drivers automatically, though its update process may direct you to Windows Update. See Microsoft’s printer-driver installation guidance.
Install the driver from the printer maker
If Windows Update does not provide a suitable driver, find the printer’s exact model and download its driver from the manufacturer’s official support page. Select the version for your Windows release and PC system architecture, then follow the maker’s installation steps. Avoid third-party driver download sites; Microsoft recommends getting drivers through Windows Update or the device manufacturer. Its guidance on printer driver compatibility issues explains why matching the driver to the printer and Windows matters.
Rank #3
- 14" diagonal, 1366x768 resolution, HD BrightView LED, Glossy NON-TOUCH Display
Roll back a driver after a recent update
If the problem began immediately after a driver update, an earlier driver may be more suitable. In Device Manager, right-click the printer, open Properties, select the Driver tab, and choose Roll Back Driver if that option is available. Administrator permission is required, and Windows may prompt you to restart.
Remove and add the printer again
If the driver steps have not fixed the installation, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select the printer, and remove it. Then return to Printers & scanners and choose Add device. Windows may find a connected, discoverable printer automatically. See Microsoft’s instructions for installing a printer in Windows.
Rank #4
- EFFORTLESS EVERYDAY PERFORMANCE: Powered by Intel Celeron N4020 processor and Windows 11 Home system, delivering reliable, low-power efficiency for daily tasks like document editing, email, online classes, and web browsing
- 15.6-INCH FULL HD DISPLAY: Enjoy immersive visuals on the 15.6" FHD (1920x1080) anti-glare screen with micro-edge bezels. Delivers clear details and comfortable viewing for long study sessions, working on spreadsheets, and video playback
- RESPONSIVE MULTITASKING & STORAGE: Built with 4GB LPDDR4 RAM and 128GB eMMC storage for smooth daily essential use. Expand your storage by up to 1TB via the integrated TF card slot to easily store movies, photos, and working files
- ADVANCED CONNECTIVITY: Outfitted with 2x Full-Featured Type-C ports for data transfer, fast charging, and dual-monitor output, alongside 2x USB 3.2 Gen1 ports and a 3.5mm audio jack for complete peripheral compatibility
- LIGHTWEIGHT & SILENT OPERATION: Slim and portable for effortless travel or commuting. Features a 1MP HD webcam for remote meetings, 38Wh battery with 45W Type-C fast charging, and a fanless silent design for peaceful work environments.
Check whether the problem is actually the driver
A printer that cannot communicate with the PC may not have a driver problem. For a USB printer, check that its existing cable is connected. For wireless printing, confirm that the printer and PC are on the same network. Microsoft’s printer connection and printing troubleshooting covers these checks.
If print jobs remain stuck in the queue, apps hang when printing, or the printer becomes unresponsive, the Print Spooler may be involved. Microsoft recommends clearing stuck jobs, removing unnecessary, old, or duplicate printer drivers in Device Manager, installing the latest model driver from the manufacturer, and restarting Print Spooler in Services. Follow the steps in Microsoft’s Print Spooler troubleshooting guide.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【Efficient Performance】 Powered by Intel Core i3 processor (2 cores, 4 threads, up to 3.4GHz) with 12GB RAM and 256GB SSD. Handles multitasking, office software, online classes, and HD video streaming smoothly. Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620
- Backlit Keyboard & Complete Package】Comes with a cool backlit keyboard. Comes with awebcam, dual stereo speakers (8Ω/1.0W each), DC charger, and user manual – ready for late-night studying, online classes, video conferencing, and daily productivity
- 【Vibrant Display】 15.6-inch Full HD (1920x1080) anti-glare screen with 16:9 aspect ratio delivers crisp images and vivid colors – perfect for studying, watching lectures, or entertainment. Thin-bezel design maximizes viewing area
- 【Fast Connectivity & Expansion】 Equipped with WiFi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.2 for stable, high-speed wireless. Features 3 x USB 3.0, HDMI 2.1, Type-C (supports PD3.0 fast charging), and a TF card slot expandable up to 2TB – easily connect external monitors, mice, drives, or expand storage for all your files
- 【Long Battery Life & Portable】 Built-in 11.55V 5000mAh/57.75Wh high-capacity battery delivers approximately 7 hours of mixed-use battery life – enough for a full day of classes and assignments. Lightweight at just 1.63kg (3.6 lbs) and 19.5mm thin, plus a compact packing size – easily slips into a backpack for campus, library, or coffee shop
Which recovery route should you use?
| Situation | Next step | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| The selected printer’s driver or device association appears damaged. | Uninstall it in Device Manager and restart Windows. | Windows attempts to reinstall the driver; some printers need manual setup. |
| You need Windows to find a suitable driver. | Check Windows Update. | Microsoft recommends this route for obtaining printer drivers. |
| Windows Update does not offer a suitable driver. | Download the exact model’s driver from its maker’s official support page. | Choose the package for your Windows version and system architecture. |
| The failure started after a driver update. | Try Roll Back Driver in the printer’s Properties > Driver tab. | The option is available only when Windows can roll back to an earlier driver; administrator permission is required. |
| The driver steps did not fix the printer installation. | Remove the printer in Settings, then use Add device. | Windows may detect a connected, discoverable printer. |
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
