This article will provide you with proven solutions to the HP printer unavailable error that users encounter from time to time.
Table of Contents
HP Printer: What Does Driver is Unavailable Mean? [Answered] – HP Printer Unavailable
The meaning of “driver is unavailable” is an error that occurs when your HP printer driver has encountered an issue that is stopping it from working correctly in association with your Windows computer. In some cases, your HP printer says status unavailable which appears on your printer driver software.
HP Printer Unavailable on Windows [Solved] – HP Printer Unavailable
If your HP printer shows unavailable on Windows 10 or 11, this section will guide you on how to resolve this error.
HP Printer Driver Unavailable Windows 11 or 10 [Reasons] – HP Printer Unavailable
The following could be the reasons responsible if your driver is unavailable for HP printer on Windows 10 or 11:
i. Outdated Windows system updates.
ii. Outdated printer driver.
iii. Damaged or corrupted system files.
iv. Driver incompatibility issues.
v. Corrupted print spooler contents.
How to Fix HP Printer Unavailable Driver [Detailed Guide] – HP Printer Unavailable
If you get an HP printer driver unavailable message on Windows 10 or Windows 11, do the following solutions in the given order:
1. Install your Windows Updates – HP Printer Unavailable
One of the reasons for the HP printer driver unavailable error is that the system is out-of-date. Therefore, you need to install all the available Windows updates.
How to Install Windows Updates
To install Windows updates, do the following steps:
Step 1: Press your keyboard’s “Windows” and “I” keys at once.
This action will open the settings menu of your Windows computer.
Step 2: Click on “Update & Security.”
Step 3: Click on “Check for updates.”
When the system detects available updates, they will be downloaded and installed automatically. This process could take some minutes; therefore, you need to be patient. Once the process is complete, reboot the computer.
If the HP printer driver unavailable on Windows 10 or 11 message still pops up, do the next solution.
We recommend that you watch the video below.
2. Uninstall and then Reinstall your HP Printer Driver – HP Printer Unavailable
You can uninstall your HP printer driver using the Device Manager and then reinstall it from the official HP Software and Drivers Download page to fix the HP printer unavailable on Windows 10 or 11 error.
How to Uninstall and Reinstall your HP Printer Driver
To uninstall and then reinstall your HP printer driver, do the steps below:
Step 1: Press your keyboard’s “Windows” and “R” keys at once.
This action will open the Run command.
Step 2: Now type: devmgmt.msc in the open field.
Step 3: Click on “OK.”
Step 4: Double-click on “Printers.”
This action will expand the printers’ category.
Step 5: Right-click on the name of your HP printer.
Step 6: Click “Uninstall device.”
Step 7: Select the checkbox for “Delete the driver software for this device.”
Step 8: Click on “Uninstall.”
Step 9: Restart your Windows computer.
Step 10: Open a web browser on your Windows computer and go to the HP Software and Drivers Download page.
Step 11: Type the name of your HP printer and then click “Submit.”
Step 12: Follow the instructions on the screen to download and then install the driver.
Step 13: Restart your computer once the installation is complete.
If your HP printer keeps saying driver unavailable after doing these steps, then move to the next solution.
3. Uninstall your HP Printer – HP Printer Unavailable
Another way to get rid of the HP printer driver is unavailable message is to uninstall your HP printer.
How to Uninstall your HP Printer
To uninstall your HP printer, do the steps below:
Step 1: Click the Windows search icon on the taskbar.
Step 2: Type “control panel” in the search field.
Step 3: Press the “Enter” key on your keyboard.
Step 4: Click on “Control Panel” from the search results.
Step 5: When the window for the control panel opens, ensure that you are using the “large icons” view.
Step 6: Click “Devices and Printers.”
Step 7: Right-click your HP printer.
Step 8: Click “Remove device.”
Step 9: Press these keys on your keyboard at the same time: “Windows” and “R”
This action will open the Run command.
Step 10: Type this: appwiz.cpl.
Step 11: Press the “Enter” key on your keyboard.
This action will open the window for programs and features.
Step 11: Locate and uninstall your HP printer application.
Step 12: Open Device Manager by opening the Run command and then typing devmgmt.msc before pressing the “Enter” key on your keyboard.
Step 13: Expand the section for print queues.
Step 14: Right-click your HP printer.
Step 15: Click “Uninstall device.”
Step 16: Reboot your computer once the uninstallation is complete.
Step 17: Go to the official HP website and install your HP printer software.
If the HP driver is unavailable for your printer after doing the above steps, try the next solution.
4. Use a Generic Printer Driver – HP Printer Unavailable
To use a generic printer driver, do the following steps:
Step 1: Press your keyboard’s “Windows” and “R” keys at once.
This action will open the Run command.
Step 2: Now type: devmgmt.msc in the open field.
Step 3: Click on “OK.”
This action will open your Windows Device Manager.
Step 4: Find and then right-click on your HP printer.
Step 5: Click “Update driver.”
Step 6: Choose “Browse my computer for drivers.”
Step 7: Choose “Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.”
Step 8: Choose “Generic software device.”
Step 9: Click on “Next.”
Your Windows computer will then locate and install a generic driver for your HP printer.
5. Manually Add your HP Printer – HP Printer Unavailable
To manually add your HP printer, do the following steps:
Step 1: Connect your HP printer and your computer via a USB cord.
Step 2: Turn your HP printer and computer on.
Step 3: On your computer’s taskbar, click the search icon.
Step 4: Type “control panel.”
Step 5: Click “Devices and Printers.”
Step 6: Click “Add a printer.”
This action will enable you to manually add your HP printer.
Step 7: Wait for your computer to detect your HP printer and then click on it once it is listed.
Step 8: Click on “Next.”
Wait until the installation is complete.
In case your computer didn’t detect your HP printer, do the following:
i. Click “the printer I want is not listed.”
ii. Click “Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings.”
iii. Click “Next.”
iv. Choose the USB port that your HP printer is connected to.
v. Click “Next.|
vi. Click “Windows update.”
vii. Click on your HP printer.
viii. Follow the on-screen instructions to install your HP printer.
After the installation, check if the HP printer driver is unavailable error has been fixed.
If the error persists, do the next solution.
6. Install your HP Printer Driver using Compatibility Mode – HP Printer Unavailable
If you are asking, “why does my HP printer say unavailable?” One of the reasons is driver incompatibility issues. A good way to counter this is to install your HP printer driver using compatibility mode.
How to install your HP Printer Driver using Compatibility Mode
To install your HP printer driver using compatibility mode, do the following steps:
Step 1: Visit the HP Software and Drivers Download page.
Step 2: Type the name of your HP printer.
Step 3: Click “Submit.”
Step 4: Click on your printer’s driver file when it is displayed.
This action will cause the file to be downloaded.
Step 5: Wait for the file download to be complete.
Step 6: Locate the file in the download folder and then double-click the file.
Step 7: Click “Properties.”
Step 8: Click on the tab labeled “compatibility.”
Step 9: Click on “Run this program in compatibility mode.”
Step 10: Select the “Windows 8” options.
Like this HP printer driver is unavailable reddit thread, most users have complained that their HP printer driver became unavailable after Windows 10 update. Therefore, using a previous Windows version is the best way to combat any compatibility issues.
Step 11: Click on “Run the program as administrator.”
Step 12: Click “Apply.”
Step 13: Click “OK.”
Step 14: Start the installation by double-clicking on your HP printer driver file.
Step 15: Click “Yes.”
Step 16: Reboot your computer.
If your HP printer says driver unavailable after doing the above steps, do the next solution.
7. Start your Print Spooler Service – HP Printer Unavailable
If your HP printer keeps saying unavailable, starting the print spooler might fix the error. To start your print spooler, do the following steps:
Step 1: Click on “Start.”
Step 2: Right-click “My Computer.”
Step 3: Click “Manage.|
Step 4: Double-click “Services and Applications.”
Step 5: Open “Services.”
Step 6: Highlight “Print Spooler.|
Step 7: Click “Start the service.”
If your HP printer device is unavailable after doing the above, do the next solution.
8. Run SFC Scan – HP Printer Unavailable
If your system files are damaged or corrupted, it could make the HP printer driver unavailable message on Windows 10 or 11 to be displayed. Therefore, you need to look for and fix such files using the SFC scan.
How to Run SFC Scan
To run an SFC scan on your computer, do the following steps:
Step 1: Click your Windows search icon.
Step 2: Type “cmd.”
Step 3: Press the “Enter” key on your keyboard.
Step 4: From the search results, click “run as administrator” for the Command Prompt option.
Step 5: Type this when the Command Prompt window opens: Sfc/Scannow
Step 6: Press the “Enter” key on your keyboard.
Your Windows computer will attempt to find and fix the problem. This process might take a while, so you need to wait for it to be completed.
If your HP printer keeps saying unavailable, then you need to contact HP Customer Support for further assistance.
HP Printer Unavailable on Android [Solutions]
If your HP printer is unavailable on Android, try the solutions below. After doing each solution, check if the error is resolved before doing the next solution.
1. Install HP Print Service Plugin & Choose the Available HP Printer – HP Printer Unavailable on Android
To install the HP Printer service and then choose the available HP printer, do the following:
Step 1: Install HP Print Service Plugin from Play Store.
Step 2: Agree to the application terms by selecting the checkbox.
Step 3: Tap “Start.”
Step 4: Close the HP Print Service Plugin app.
Step 5: Open the file you intend to print.
Step 6: Tap on the icon for “More”; it is three dots arranged vertically.
Step 7: Tap “Print.”
Ignore this error message if it is displayed: “This printer isn’t available right now.”
Step 8: Check the screen’s top-right corner and tap the arrow that is pointed downward.
Step 9: Choose the name of the available HP printer that isn’t grayed out.
Step 10: You can make some settings change if you desire.
Step 11: Tap on the icon for “Print.”
Step 12: Choose the option for HP Print Service Plugin.
Step 13: Tap “OK.”
The file will now print.
If the file fails to print and the HP printer unavailable error remains, do the next solution.
2. Restart your Connected Devices – HP Printer Unavailable on Android
To restart your connected devices, do the following:
Step 1: Turn your HP printer off.
Step 2: Turn your HP printer on.
Step 3: Unplug the power cord from your router.
Step 4: Wait for about 10 seconds.
Step 5: Plug the power cord back into your router.
Step 6: Allow your computer to re-establish your internet connection.
Step 7: Turn your android device off.
Step 8: Turn on your android device.
Check if the HP printer unavailable error on Android has been resolved.
If it has not been resolved, do the next solution.
3. Troubleshoot your HP Printer’s Wireless Connection – HP Printer Unavailable on Android
Do the following to troubleshoot your HP printer’s wireless connection:
i. If the network connection is poor, do these:
- Move your android device and your HP printer closer to your wireless router.
- Confirm if the quality of the network’s signal has improved.
- Open a website on your android device while connected to the network to confirm if it is working.
- If the network of your Wi-Fi is intermittent or slow, restart your router. To do this, remove the power cable from the router, and wait for about 15 seconds before plugging in the power cable.
ii. If the printer is in sleep mode or off, do these:
- Press the printer’s power button or touch the printer’s control panel menu to wake your printer and send it back into ready mode.
You can read this article: HP Printer Sleep Mode [How To, Issues & Solutions] to learn more about sleep mode on HP printers.
Note: In some cases, your HP printer status might be displayed as “Offline” whereas it is ready.
We recommend this article: HP Printer Offline [Issues & Solutions] for further reading on HP printer offline issues.
iii. Check the connection status of your HP printer, by doing the following:
- Ensure that the signal of your wireless connection is on.
- Ensure that your HP printer and android device are all using the same wireless network connection.
- Ensure that the wireless LED indicator of your HP printer is on (for printers designed with such).
If the LED indicator blinks or is off, then your printer is not connected to the wireless network.
iv. Reconnect your HP printer to your wireless network: Move your HP printer within the signal range of your wireless router. After that, connect your printer to your wireless network using the appropriate steps below.
- HP Touchscreen Control Panel Printers
i. Open the menu for “Wireless Settings,” “Network,” or “Setup”.
ii. Choose “Wireless Setup Wizard.”
iii. Do the on-screen instructions to choose the name of your network before entering the network password.
- HP Non-Touchscreen Control Panel Printers
i. Press down the printer’s wireless button for about 5 seconds. You can also press the button down until you see the wireless LED indicator begin to flash.
ii. Within 2 minutes, press down your router’s Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) button until you see the commencement of the network connection process.
Once the connection is complete, your printer’s wireless LED indicator will stop flashing.
- HP Tango, Envy 6400 and 6000, and DeskJet 6400 Printers
i. Press down your printer’s Wi-Fi and Power buttons for about 5 seconds until you see the printer’s blue bar flash.
ii. Within 2 minutes, press down your router’s Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) button until you see the commencement of the network connection process.
Once the connection is complete, your printer’s blue bar will stop flashing.
v. Restart your devices:
Restart your connected devices using the steps we shared above in the “Restart your Connected Devices” section.
vi. Print out a Wireless Test Report
If you don’t know how to print a wireless test report on your HP printer, you should consult your printer manual for instructions. Alternatively, you can go to the official HP Customer Support website and then search for your HP printer model, before searching for a “self test page”. From the search results, you should find a document that will guide you on how to print a wireless test report on your HP printer and also evaluate it to fix any issues you might encounter.
vii. Enable your android device’s Bluetooth for HP Smart setup
Go to the settings of your android device and enable the Bluetooth feature. This is necessary to ensure the detection of your printer during the HP printer setup via the HP Smart app.
If the HP printer unavailable error on android persists after doing the above troubleshooting, move on to the next solution.
4. Check the Settings & Status of the Print Spooler on Android – HP Printer Unavailable on Android
To check the settings and status of the print spooler on your android device, do the following steps:
Step 1: Go to your device’s settings.
Step 2: Tap “Applications” or “Apps.”
Step 3: Tap the “Print Spooler” option.
If you can’t find this option, tap the “Storage” option before tapping “Print Spooler.”
Step 4: Tap “Force Stop” or “Clear Data.”
Step 5: Restart the android device.
If this doesn’t resolve the HP printer unavailable on android error, do the next solution.
5. Print via another Method – HP Printer Unavailable on Android
If printing directly from your android device isn’t working, then you should try printing using another method. You can try printing via the HP Smart app or Wi-Fi Direct.
If the HP printer unavailable error still occurs when using any of the above-mentioned alternatives, then you need to contact HP Customer Support for further assistance.
Check out the video below.
HP Printer Scanning Unavailable [Solved] – HP Printer Unavailable
If your HP printer scanning is unavailable, try the following methods to resolve the problem:
Method 1
1. Unplug your HP Printer
Step 1: Remove the power cable from your printer.
Step 2: Disable the Bluetooth if it is enabled.
Step 3: Disconnect your HP printer from your computer.
2. Delete your HP Printer
Step 1: Run a search on your Windows computer for and open “Devices and printers.”
Alternatively, you can go to your computer’s Control Panel before selecting “Devices and Printers.”
Step 2: Find your HP printer on the list of devices.
Step 3: Remove your HP printer following the instructions below that apply to your Windows operating system.
Windows 10
i. Right-click your HP printer
ii. Click “Remove.”
Windows 11
i. Click on your HP printer.
ii. Click on the button labeled “Remove” at the upper right of the screen.
3. End the HP Smart Task
Step 1: Right-click on your taskbar.
Step 2: Click “Task Manager.”
Step 3: Look for and select the HP Smart task entry.
Step 4: Click the button labeled “End Task” at the bottom of the screen.
If there are multiple HP Smart task entries, end the task for all entries.
4. Reconnect your HP Printer
Step 1: Plug the power cable back into your HP printer.
Step 2: Turn on your HP printer.
Step 3: Connect your HP printer to your computer via a USB cable.
Step 4: Once you reconnect, you should get a notification on your Windows 11 tray (Windows 10 might not do the same).
Allow your Windows computer to install your required HP printer drivers.
After this, check the printer you just added by going to “Printers and Scanners.” If the printer is not shown, use another port.
5. Open the HP Smart app
Download the HP Smart app, and then scan your document. The app should scan your document without any issue.
Method 2
Do the following steps:
Step 1: Turn your HP printer off.
Step 2: Turn your computer off.
Step 3: Turn your wireless router off.
Step 4: Wait for some minutes.
Step 5: Turn on your wireless router.
Step 6: Turn on your computer.
Step 7: Turn your HP printer on.
If the problem remains unresolved, uninstall your HP printer software, and then reinstall it from the HP Software and Drivers Download page.
Method 3
Do the following:
i. Open the HP Smart app.
ii. Right-click on your HP printer.
iii. Click “Forget printer.”
iv. Click on the Plus Sign to add your HP printer.
If the above doesn’t work, run a Windows search for “HP Smart”. Now, right-click on the corresponding search result, and click on “app settings” before you reset the app.
If that doesn’t work, uninstall the app and then go to your device’s app store to reinstall it.
If none of the methods above work, you can read this article: Scan with HP Printer [How To/Issues & Solutions] to learn how to fix HP printer scan issues. Alternatively, you can contact HP Customer Support for further assistance.
The article above covers HP printer unavailable issues for (but not exclusive to) the following printers: HP DeskJet 2722, DeskJet 2710, 3630, 503, 6960, 9010, 3700, and 3830
