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To reinstall a printer driver in Windows 11, uninstall the affected printer in Device Manager, then restart your PC. Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver; if it does not restore a working printer, use Windows Update or the printer manufacturer’s official support page. The exact recovery route depends on whether Windows has a suitable driver and whether the fault followed a recent update.
Reinstall the printer driver with Device Manager
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Save your work, close open apps, and open Device Manager from the Start menu.
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Expand Printers and locate the affected printer. If multiple printers are listed, select the exact device that is failing.
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Right-click the printer and select Uninstall device. Confirm by selecting Uninstall.
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Restart Windows. After the PC restarts, Windows attempts to reinstall the device driver. This is an attempt, not a guarantee that the driver will return or that printing will work.
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Try printing. If the printer is still unavailable or the driver did not return, use the recovery options below.
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If Windows does not reinstall a working driver
Check Windows Update
Microsoft recommends Windows Update as the way to download, install, and update printer drivers. Check for updates and install any appropriate printer driver offered for your device. Device Manager’s driver-update flow can also search automatically and may direct you to Windows Update. Microsoft’s printer-driver guidance
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If Windows Update does not offer a suitable driver, identify the printer’s exact model and visit its manufacturer’s official support page. Choose a driver that matches both the printer and your Windows version and system architecture, then follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Microsoft advises against downloading drivers from other websites. Microsoft printer-driver guidance · Microsoft’s driver compatibility guidance
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Roll back a recent driver update
If printing stopped immediately after a driver update, an earlier driver may still be available. In Device Manager, open the printer’s Properties, select the Driver tab, and choose Roll Back Driver if the option is available. Rolling back requires administrator permission; restart if Windows prompts you. Microsoft’s Device Manager instructions
Remove and add the printer again
If the driver steps do not resolve the issue, refresh the printer installation: open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select the printer, and remove it. Then choose Add device. Windows may find a connected, discoverable printer automatically. Microsoft’s uninstall and reinstall instructions
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Check whether the problem is actually the driver
A driver reinstall will not fix every printing failure. Before repeating driver steps, check the connection and symptoms:
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USB printer: confirm its existing cable is connected.
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Wireless printer: confirm the printer and PC are on the same network.
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Stuck jobs, apps hanging during printing, or an unresponsive printer: these symptoms may point to the print queue or Print Spooler rather than the driver alone. Microsoft’s troubleshooting steps include clearing stuck queue jobs, removing unnecessary, old, or duplicate printer drivers in Device Manager, installing the latest model-specific driver from the manufacturer, and restarting Print Spooler in Services. Microsoft’s printer connection and printing troubleshooting
Choose the recovery route that fits the failure
| Route | Use it when | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Device Manager uninstall and restart | The selected printer’s driver association appears damaged or incompatible. | Windows attempts to reinstall the driver after restart; manual setup may still be necessary. Microsoft |
| Windows Update | Windows needs a fresh driver and may have an appropriate one available. | Microsoft’s recommended driver update and installation channel. Microsoft |
| Manufacturer’s official driver page | Windows Update does not provide a suitable driver. | Match the exact printer model, Windows version, and system architecture. Microsoft compatibility guidance |
| Roll Back Driver | The failure began after a recent driver update and rollback is available. | Requires administrator permission; the option may not be available. Microsoft |
| Remove and add the printer | Refreshing the printer’s Windows installation is needed after driver steps. | Windows may detect a connected, discoverable printer when you add it again. Microsoft |
The menu names and available drivers can change with Windows updates and vary by printer model. Microsoft’s guidance applies to Windows 11 and Windows 10; the steps here are for Windows 11.
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