How to Reinstall Printer Drivers on Windows 10 (Brother & HP)

Whether you’re dealing with a printer stuck offline, garbled print output, or issues after a Windows 10 update, reinstalling printer drivers is a fundamental task every computer user needs. Doing it the wrong way can cause driver conflicts, “Driver unavailable” errors, or hours of frustration with failed installations. As a Reddit user once asked:

"What’s the best way to completely reinstall a printer driver?

I bought a new laptop running Windows 11. I have a Brother MFC-L3780CDW. I’m trying to install the printer driver, but the installation keeps failing. I downloaded the full software package from the Brother support website, and it still won’t install." — from Reddit

This guide covers 4 proven methods to reinstall printer drivers on Windows 10 safely and effectively.

Method	Supported Printers	Tools Needed	Speed	Best for
1️⃣Third-Party Printer Repair Software	All brands	AiPrinter Fixer	Fast	Automatic repair and bulk updates
2️⃣Official Driver Installation	Brother / Canon / HP	Manufacturer’s official driver	Fast	Clean install or full driver reinstall
3️⃣Device Manager	All brands	Windows built-in tools	Slow	Fixing driver errors
4️⃣Remove & Re-add Printer	All brands	Control Panel / Settings	Medium	Resolving driver conflicts

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Method 1. Use Third-Party Software to Reinstall Printer Drivers (Auto Install)

Best for: Fixing stubborn printer driver issues, printer offline/not responding errors, and corrupted or incompatible drivers (Brother / HP / Canon)

✅Pros: Automatically detects and matches the correct driver; one-click repair for driver conflicts; no need to manually search printer models; reduces the risk of installing the wrong driver version

❌Cons: Download printer repair software; needs an internet connection to fetch drivers

Using a third-party printer driver repair tool is an efficient and intelligent way to reinstall printer drivers while minimizing user effort. This method scans your system for driver-related issues and reinstalls the official driver that perfectly matches your printer model, ensuring stability and compatibility. It is often used when encountering “Printer driver unavailable” errors, printers stuck offline, repeated installation failures, or situations where drivers stop working after a Windows update. Instead of manually uninstalling drivers and guessing which version to download, the software automates the entire process.

However, Windows does not always retrieve the latest manufacturer-specific drivers through Device Manager or Windows Update. As a result, using a dedicated repair tool becomes necessary for accurate and complete driver reinstallation. Several software options are available for reinstalling printer drivers, including AiPrinter Fixer.

If your computer repeatedly fails to recognize the printer or the driver keeps crashing, this method is often the most reliable solution. Just install a powerful repair tool and use it to fix your printer issues!

Step 1. Connect your printer. Make sure the printer is connected to your computer via USB or network, then launch AiPrinter Fixer.

Step 2. Scan for driver issues. Click “AI Printer Repair” to scan the system for missing, corrupted, or incompatible printer drivers.

Step 3. Repair printer drivers. Once the scan is complete, review the detected issues and click “Repair Now” to fix all the problems automatically.

Step 4. Test the printer. After the repair finishes, go to “Settings” -> “Print Test Page” to confirm the printer works properly. If it still can not work, use the “Auto Install” module to install any remaining missing drivers in one single click.

Method 2. Official Driver Installation (Manual Download)

Best for: Users who need full functionality (printing & scanning), model-specific installation, and maximum official security

✅Pros: 100% compatibility; includes full software suites (such as HP Smart or Brother Utilities)

❌Cons: Manual model search required; download speed depends on the official website; beginners may select the wrong OS version

Downloading from the manufacturer’s website is the most standard and reliable way to reinstall printer drivers. Simply visit the official support pages of Brother, Canon, or HP, search for your exact printer model, and download the installer. As long as your internet connection is stable, you can usually obtain the latest driver version.

However, because printer product lines include many similar models, it’s essential to accurately confirm your printer’s exact model name and Windows system version (32-bit or 64-bit) before downloading. This method avoids the limitations of generic drivers, such as missing scanning features, but requires some attention during the selection process.

Step 1. Open your browser and go to the printer manufacturer’s driver download page.

Step 2. Enter your exact printer model (for example, Brother HL-L2350DW or HP LaserJet Pro M404n) into the search box and click “Search”.

Step 3. Verify that the detected operating system is correct (Windows 7 / 10 / 11). Choose “Full Driver & Software Package”, then click “Download”.

Step 4. Double-click the downloaded .exe file to launch the installation wizard. Follow the on-screen instructions (such as accepting the license agreement, connecting the printer via USB, or configuring Wi-Fi) until the installation is complete.

Method 3. Use Device Manager to Reinstall Printer Drivers

Best for: Resolving device conflicts, removing yellow exclamation marks, and unrecognized printers

✅Pros: Built-in Windows tool; no additional software required; quickly fixes basic connection issues

❌Cons: Usually installs only Microsoft generic drivers; advanced features may not be restored

Using Device Manager is a quick way to reinstall printer drivers and fix recognition errors. It does not require an internet connection. The process involves uninstalling the old or corrupted printer driver, then letting Windows automatically detect and reinstall the appropriate driver.

Step 1. Press “Win + X” and select “Device Manager”.

Step 2. Locate your “print queues” category and find the malfunctioning Brother, Canon, or HP printer.

Step 3. Right-click the printer name, select “Uninstall device”, and check “Delete the driver software for this device” if prompted.

Step 4. Click “Action” -> “Scan for hardware changes” from the top menu. Windows will automatically detect the printer and install the basic driver.

Method 4. Remove & Re-add Printer

Best for: Basic connection issues, unresponsive printers, quick reset for non-driver core problems

✅Pros: No additional software needed; simple and intuitive; built-in Windows functionality

❌Cons: Does not restore full brand-specific features; manual reconnection required

If your printer is unresponsive, showing errors, or having driver conflicts, removing and re-adding it in Windows is a quick way to reset the connection. This method removes the existing printer from your system and re-registers it, restoring the basic driver and connection. Note that if the driver files themselves are corrupted, this may not fully resolve the issue.

Step 1. Press “Win + I” to open “Settings”, then go to “Bluetooth & devices”, click “Printers & scanners” in the left-hand menu.

Step 2. Select the malfunctioning Brother, Canon, or HP printer from the list, and click on it. Then, press the “Remove” button.

Step 3. Click “Add device” to select your printer from the list. If it does not appear, click “Add a new device manually” and follow the prompts to manually add it via network or IP address.

Step 4. After you’ve added the new printer. Print a test page to confirm that the printer is now working properly.

To Wrap Things UP

Reinstalling printer drivers on Windows 10 isn’t complicated with the right method. This article tells you 4 ways to reinstall drivers:

• AiPrinter Fixer for one-click smart repair and automatic driver matching (Brother/HP/Canon)
• Official Driver Download for full functionality with manufacturer software
• Device Manager for quickly fixing yellow exclamation marks or driver errors
• Remove & Re-add Printer for resolving basic connection issues

If you want to resolve driver conflicts, including “Driver Unavailable” errors, printing glitches, or scanning problems, AiPrinter Fixer is the most efficient choice. Just install the software, scan your printer, and update the drivers with one click. So easy and simple! Download and try this software to reinstall printer drivers on your Windows computer.

How to Reinstall Printer Drivers on Windows 10 FAQs

Q1. Do I need an internet connection to reinstall printer drivers?

If you use Official Driver Download or AiPrinter Fixer, you’ll need an internet connection to download the latest drivers. Using Device Manager or Remove & Re-add Printer can sometimes work offline, but it may only install the basic driver.

Q2. Which method is best for fixing “Driver Unavailable” or printing errors?

For resolving driver conflicts, including unrecognized printers, printing glitches, or scanning problems, AiPrinter Fixer is the most practical choice. Install the software, scan your printer, and update the driver with a single click.

Q3. Can I reinstall the driver without affecting my printer software?

Yes. Using Device Manager or Remove & Re-add Printer only reinstalls the basic driver and does not affect existing brand-specific software or settings.

Q4. Do I need to uninstall the old driver before installing a new one?

Yes, it is generally recommended to remove the old driver first. Manual reinstallation usually requires uninstalling the device via “Device Manager” or “Control Panel”, while tools like AiPrinter Fixer handle this automatically and clear conflicting files.