The HP Printer Network Printer Driver Unavailable error is a common issue that prevents users from printing over Wi-Fi or a shared network. This problem usually appears on Windows computers and indicates that the system cannot communicate properly with the printer driver.
What Does “HP Printer Driver Unavailable” Mean?
When you see the Driver is Unavailable message, it means:
- The printer driver is corrupted or missing
- The installed driver is outdated
- Windows update changed system settings
- Network connectivity issues exist
- Printer services are not running
This error commonly affects network-connected HP printers rather than USB-connected devices.
Common Causes of HP Printer Driver Unavailable Error
Understanding the cause helps in proper troubleshooting.
- Outdated or incompatible printer driver
- Incomplete printer software installation
- Windows update conflicts
- Printer spooler service stopped
- Network connection instability
- Firewall or antivirus interference
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting to Fix HP Printer Driver Unavailable
1. Restart Printer and Computer
A simple restart can resolve temporary glitches.
- Turn off the printer.
- Restart your computer.
- Power the printer back on.
- Try printing again.
2. Check Network Connection
If your HP printer is connected via Wi-Fi:
- Ensure printer and computer are on the same network.
- Restart your router.
- Reconnect the printer to Wi-Fi from the control panel.
- Run Windows Network Troubleshooter.
3. Update HP Printer Driver
Outdated drivers are the most common cause.
How to Update Driver via Device Manager:
- Press Windows + X
- Click Device Manager
- Expand Print Queues
- Right-click your HP printer
- Select Update Driver
- Choose Search automatically
Restart your system after updating.
4. Reinstall HP Printer Driver (Recommended Fix)
If updating doesn’t work, reinstall the driver completely.
Steps to Reinstall:
- Open Control Panel
- Click Devices and Printers
- Right-click your HP printer
- Select Remove Device
- Restart computer
- Download latest HP printer driver
- Install fresh software
- Reconnect printer to network
This resolves corrupted driver issues in most cases.
5. Restart Print Spooler Service
If the spooler service stops, printing fails.
Steps:
- Press Windows + R
- Type
services.msc - Find Print Spooler
- Right-click → Restart
- Set Startup Type to Automatic
6. Install HP Smart App
Installing the HP Smart software ensures proper configuration and driver setup.
- Download HP Smart
- Sign up or log in to your HP account
- Add printer
- Follow setup instructions
This method automatically installs compatible drivers.
HP Printer Login and Signup Process
To manage your printer services and warranty:
- Open HP Smart or HP website
- Click Sign Up
- Enter email and password
- Verify email
- Log in to access:
- Printer setup
- Driver downloads
- Firmware updates
- Support options
Having an account helps manage multiple devices easily.
How to Download and Install HP Printer Driver Properly
For best results:
- Download driver compatible with your Windows version (10/11)
- Disable antivirus temporarily during installation
- Run installer as Administrator
- Complete network setup wizard
- Restart system after installation
Always use the latest driver version to avoid compatibility issues.
How to Activate HP Printer Services
To activate full printer functionality:
- Complete printer setup via HP Smart
- Connect to Wi-Fi
- Update firmware
- Enable Web Services (if available)
- Register product using HP account
Activation ensures access to scanning, printing, cloud services, and updates.
HP Printer Not Working After Update – What to Do?
Sometimes Windows updates cause driver conflicts.
Fix:
- Uninstall printer driver
- Install latest HP driver
- Pause Windows update temporarily
- Check optional updates for printer drivers
- Run Windows Printer Troubleshooter
Advanced Troubleshooting Tips
If issue persists:
- Run System File Checker
sfc /scannowin Command Prompt - Check firewall settings
- Assign static IP address to printer
- Reconnect printer via USB first, then switch to Wi-Fi
- Perform network reset
When to Contact HP Customer Support
If none of the above solutions fix the problem, contact HP Support for:
- Remote troubleshooting
- Driver compatibility help
- Warranty service
- Printer replacement options
Have these details ready:
- Printer model number
- Windows version
- Error message screenshot
- Purchase date
Benefits of Keeping HP Printer Drivers Updated
- Improved performance
- Fewer connectivity issues
- Enhanced print quality
- Better network stability
- Security improvements
Regular maintenance prevents errors like Driver Unavailable from appearing again.
Conclusion
The HP Printer Network Printer Driver Unavailable error is usually caused by outdated, corrupted, or incompatible drivers. In most cases, updating or reinstalling the printer driver resolves the issue quickly.
Make sure your printer is connected to the correct network, the print spooler service is running, and your drivers are updated. If necessary, reinstall the software or contact HP customer support for further assistance.
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