We all keep using multiple printers on the Windows 10 system and keep on changing them from time to time. However, this seems to be a very basic thing yet installing and uninstalling printers leaves various drivers in residue.
Whenever you install the printer on the Windows 10 computer, certain drivers get installed with the same and when it is removed, the drivers are left out in the system.
This can also affect the connectivity and working of the printer in Windows 10. In that case, you need to uninstall the printer driver and reinstall the same.
We are guiding you with the simple steps to carry out the process. All the details are shared below:
How To Uninstall Drivers Of Printer In Windows 10?
Want to remove your printer from Windows 10 laptop or desktop? Here are some of the simple methods to uninstall the printer driver along with other related applications and settings. Here are some of them:
Uninstall Printer Driver Using Settings
Step 1. Open Settings and choose Devices in Windows 10. Click on the Printers and Scanners option.
Step 2. You will find the list of all connected printers in your system. Click on the printer and choose “Remove Device”. It would ask for a confirmation and you need to choose YES.
Step 3. Go back to Windows Settings and choose Apps. Tap on “Apps and features option” and select the same printer option. Tap on Uninstall option.
This will uninstall the Printer driver along with all relevant settings.
Uninstall Printer Driver Using Properties
Step 1. Open Windows Settings>> Devices >> Printers & Scanners from the left navigation menu.
Step 2. Open Printers & Scanners settings and check the related settings. Tap the “Print Server Properties” option.
Step 3. In the next window, choose the Drivers tab and check the complete list of printers mentioned there. Click on the printer and choose to remove the same.
Step 4. It will provide you with two options: “Remove Driver Only” and “Remove Driver and Driver Package”. Choose “Remove Driver and Driver Package” and click OK.
Step 5. Confirm Delete.
That’s it. You have successfully uninstalled the printer driver from Windows 10 laptop.
Uninstall Printer Driver Using Control Panel
Step 1. Open Control Panel >> Hardware & Sound and click “Devices and Printers”.
Step 2. From the list of printers, choose the printer and right-click. Choose “Remove Device” and click Yes to confirm.
Step 3. Open Windows settings >> Apps & Features and choose the printer to remove. Click uninstall and follow the process.
Uninstall Printer Driver Using Print Management
Step 1. Open Control Panel >> System & Security.
Step 2. Click on Administrative tools. Find “Print Management” in the tools and double click. Choose All Printers from custom filters.
Step 3. Choose the printer and right-click on the same. Tap Delete and confirm Yes.
Step 4. Open Windows settings >> Apps & features. Choose the printer and tap remove.
Step 5. Click uninstall and follow the process.
How To Reinstall Drivers Of Printer In Windows 10?
In order to connect your printer with the Windows System and make it work, having the right printer driver is a must. So, we are sharing some of the useful methods and steps to install the Printer Driver on your Windows System:
Install Printer Driver Automatically
In order to reinstall the Printer Driver in Windows 10, you need to uninstall it first. Once it is uninstalled, you need to reinstall the same. Here is the step-by-step process to manage the same:
Step 1. Press “Windows + X” on Windows 10 computer and choose the” Device Manager” option.
Step 2. Once the “Device Manager” is opened, find and expand the Print Queues. In this category, you will find the old printer driver.
Step 3. Right-click on the Printer Driver and choose “Uninstall Device”.
Step 4. Just go with the process and keep uninstalling the same. Once done, restart the computer.
You have successfully uninstalled the previously added Printer Driver in your Windows 10. Now, it’s time to reinstall the same.
Step 5. Open the “Device Manager” again by pressing “Windows +X” and choose the “Action” option from the menu.
Step 6. Choose Action >> Scan for hardware changes and the printer driver will be automatically installed on the computer.
Download & Install Printer Driver On Windows 10
The printer manufacturer also provides the drivers on their official website. You can keep checking and download the Printer Driver anytime from there.
Also, the companies keep releasing the latest versions of drivers and allow you to download and install the same.
Step 1. Visit the official website of the Printer company and find the latest drivers. You need to make a search based on the Printer model and O.S. configurations.
Step 2. Download the right driver and save them on your computer.
Step 3. Disconnect the internet connectivity.
Step 4. Right-click on the “Printer Driver Setup” and open properties.
Step 5. In the properties tab, click on the “Compatibility” option and choose “Previous version of Windows”. This option will be there to “Run this program in Compatibility mode”. Click OK to proceed.
Step 6. The on-screen guide will walk you through all the steps to complete the installation process. Now, restart the computer and try to print the document. Everything will work fine.
That’s it. You have successfully installed the printer driver on the Windows System. Now, start your printing journey without any hassle.
Related Questions
1. Why can’t you remove a printer from your computer?
Sometimes, you face problems in removing a printer from the Windows system and it could be because of current active print jobs scheduled in the background.
To rectify the same, go to “Devices & Printers”, choose your printer, right-click and choose the “See What’s Printing” option.
Remove all active entries from the queue. That’s it. Now, you will be able to remove the printer from the Windows system without any problem.
2. How do you make your printer driver available?
Windows computer is showing a printer driver is unavailable. This simply means either the previous driver is not up-to-date or corrupt.
Updating the driver can resolve this issue and make it compatible to work with the Windows System. We have shared the detailed process above to guide you with uninstalling and reinstalling the printer driver system.
3. Where are the printer drivers located in Windows 10?
Tap on the installed printers and right-click. Choose “Print server properties”. Now, choose the “Drivers” tab from the top of the window. You will be able to find the installed drivers on your system.
4. How do I check my printer driver version?
Go to Devices and Printers >> Right-click on the printer icon and open printer properties. You will find an “About” tab there. Choose it to check the printer driver version.
5. Why can’t you install the printer driver on Windows 10?
Try turning your printer ON and OFF. It should be in the ready state. Open Devices & Printers and choose the printer icon. Right-click and remove the same and then try reinstalling the printer driver.
Conclusion
Hence, you can remove any printer anytime from the Windows 10 system. If you don’t want to use the printer again, it’s better to remove the printer driver. Since the printer driver won’t get erased by itself, you need to follow the above-mentioned steps to manage the same.
We hope the above-shared information proves helpful to you.
Tanmoy Misra found his love for tech early in life when he got his first Nintendo (NES) console. He spent many hours blowing into cartridges to no avail until inspiration struck and he started taking apart and rebuilding anything that didn’t work. After dropping console gaming at the end of high school, Tanmoy entered the world of PC online gaming. His love of gaming and problem-solving soon led him to build his computers. As per expertise, he is an ISF-certified video calibrator and covering AV for a number of publications since 2018.
