The Printer Is Not Available

Open the Print display, and if your printer does not appear in the Name field, click the drop down arrow to the right. Look for it there. Another program may have installed a printer driver that moved your printer down the list. If you see it, select it. If you do not see your printer listed, it may not be installed properly or you may have accidentally deleted it.

Open the Printers And Faxes window. If you see your printed list, right click its icon and select Delete. Select Server Properties from the File menu, click the Drivers tab, and select your printer. Click Remove and confirm your decision. Shut down Windows and turn off the printer. Make sure your printer and PC are securely connected and the turn the printer back on and wait until it indicates a state of readiness. Restart Windows. Windows should locate and install the printer automatically. If not, check with the printer's manufacturer for updated installation or driver files.

If there is an updated executable (containing the .EXE file extension) installation program, download it to your PC, click the Start menu, select Run, and navigate to the file to install it. If not, check the printer's documentation to see if there are special installation instructions. Otherwise, return to the Printers And Faxes window and click Add Printer. Follow the instructions to add the printer automatically. Provide either the updated driver files or the files you originally installed if Windows prompts you to do so.

After the installation, locate the printer in the Printers And Faxes window, right click it and select Set As Default Printer. Your printer should now appear in all Print dialog boxes and function correctly.