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PC FIX
Printer

Problems that prevent printing due to printer driver errors or compatibility issues

If your current symptom is closer to “printer driver error,” first check for outdated or corrupted drivers and Windows Update compatibility. If you check the printer status and connection, print queue, and driver in that order, it is easy to tell whether the problem is with the PC or the printer.

Solving Order
We've organized the methods starting with the simplest and least expensive ones. Please check the solutions one by one, starting from the top.

Do you have these symptoms?

  • printer driver error
  • driver unavailable
  • Driver not available

main causes

  • Outdated or corrupted drivers
  • Windows Update Compatibility

How to solve

Please check them in order from the top. If the issue is resolved, you do not need to proceed to the next step.

1

Turn the printer power off and on and check the status

First check for printer errors, paper, ink, or temporary communication problems.

Difficulty Easy time 3-5 minutes cost 0 won
  1. 1Turn off the printer and unplug the power plug for about 30 seconds.
  2. 2Turn it back on and check for paper jam, cover, and ink/toner warnings.

confirmation point

After these steps, see if the “Printer Driver Error” symptoms decrease or disappear. If there is no change, the next step will also check for possible outdated or corrupted drivers.

2

Check USB or network connection

You need to make sure your PC can actually communicate with the printer.

Difficulty Easy time 5-10 minutes cost 0 won
  1. 1For USB printers, check the cable and other ports.
  2. 2The wireless printer verifies that your PC and printer are on the same network.
  3. 3If the printer has its own network test function, run it.
3

Clear print queue

One damaged or stuck job can prevent all future printing.

Difficulty Moderate time 5-10 minutes cost 0 won
  1. 1Open the print queue for that printer in Settings → Printers & Scanners.
  2. 2Cancel a stuck task.
  3. 3If cancellation does not work, restart the Print Spooler service.
4

Remove and re-add a printer

You can create new device registration/port settings in Windows.

Difficulty Moderate time 10-20 minutes cost 0 won
  1. 1Remove the printer from settings.
  2. 2Reboot the printer.
  3. 3Search and install again in Add Printer.
5

Update or reinstall printer/scanner driver

An outdated or corrupted printer/scanner driver may be causing the symptom.

Difficulty Moderate time 10~30 minutes cost 0 won
  1. 1Check the device in Device Manager.
  2. 2Check your PC or component manufacturer's site for printer/scanner drivers for your current model.
  3. 3If the problem started immediately after an update, consider rolling back to the previous stable version.
  4. 4After installing the driver, restart your PC.
6

Test in other apps

Distinguish between specific document/app issues and printer-wide issues.

Difficulty Easy time 5-10 minutes cost 0 won
  1. 1Print a notepad or test page.
  2. 2If other apps are normal, reset the page/printer settings of the problem app.

Frequently Asked Questions

We've put together a list of things we frequently check regarding this issue.

Related issues

If the symptoms do not match exactly, please check the issue below.

Printer

Unable to print due to Print Spooler service error

This guide is organized to classify spooler service/file corruption and printer driver conflict items in a safe order in “print spooler error” situations. If you check the printer status and connection, print queue, and driver in that order, it is easy to tell whether the problem is with the PC or the printer.

View solutions →
Printer

Problem with printing only from certain apps such as Word, Excel, and browsers

This guide is designed to classify app settings/file corruption and basic printer/driver interaction items in a safe order in the “Word does not print” situation. If you check the printer status and connection, print queue, and driver in that order, it is easy to tell whether the problem is with the PC or the printer.

View solutions →
Printer

Unable to find or add printer in Windows

When troubleshooting Windows can't find or add a printer, it's important to rule out causes one at a time. Based on the “Printer not recognized” symptom, check the USB/network connection and printer driver and proceed to the next step. If you check the printer status and connection, print queue, and driver in that order, it is easy to tell whether the problem is with the PC or the printer.

View solutions →
Printer

Printer printing speed is extremely slow

When troubleshooting a printer that is printing too slowly, it is important to rule out causes one at a time. Based on the “Printer is slow” symptom, check the high-resolution quality settings and network connection, then proceed to the next step. If you check the printer status and connection, print queue, and driver in that order, it is easy to tell whether the problem is with the PC or the printer.

View solutions →

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