Tutorial How to Fix Printer Unavailable. If you’re encountering a “printer unavailable” error message when trying to print a document, it can be frustrating. However, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix the problem.
Follow Tutorial – How to Fix Printer Unavailable
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to fix a printer that is unavailable:
Step 1: Check your printer connections Make sure your printer is properly connected to your computer or network. If you’re using a USB cable, make sure it’s plugged into both your printer and your computer. If you’re using a wireless printer, make sure it’s connected to your Wi-Fi network and that your computer is also connected to the same network. If your printer is connected to a router or switch, make sure that the cables are securely connected and that the device is powered on.
Step 2: Restart your printer and computer Sometimes a simple restart can fix the issue. Turn off your printer and computer, then wait a few minutes before turning them back on. This can help reset any software or hardware issues that may be causing the problem.
Step 3: Check for printer driver updates Make sure you have the latest printer driver installed on your computer. You can check for updates by visiting the manufacturer’s website and searching for your printer model. Download and install any updates that are available.
Step 4: Clear print queue and restart print spooler If there are any stuck print jobs in the print queue, it can cause your printer to become unavailable. To clear the print queue, open the Control Panel and navigate to Devices and Printers. Right-click on your printer and select “See what’s printing”. Click on “Printer” in the top menu bar and select “Cancel All Documents”.
Next, you’ll need to restart the print spooler service. Press the Windows key + R, type “services.msc” and press Enter. Scroll down and find the “Print Spooler” service, right-click on it and select “Restart”. This will restart the print spooler service and clear any stuck print jobs.
Step 5: Disable antivirus and firewall temporarily Sometimes, antivirus and firewall software can block printer communication, causing it to become unavailable. Temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall software and try printing again. If the printer works fine with the antivirus and firewall disabled, you’ll need to add an exception or rule in your software to allow printer communication.
Step 6: Reinstall printer driver If none of the above steps work, try uninstalling and reinstalling the printer driver. Open the Control Panel and navigate to Devices and Printers. Right-click on your printer and select “Remove device”. Then, download and install the latest printer driver from the manufacturer’s website.
In conclusion, these are the tutorial you can take to fix a printer that is unavailable. If none of these steps work, you may need to contact your printer manufacturer’s support team for further assistance.