Printer drivers allow Windows to communicate with your printer and control its features, such as paper size, print quality, duplex printing, and scanning. While these drivers usually work without issues, they can sometimes become corrupted, outdated, or incompatible after Windows updates or printer changes. In such cases, uninstalling the printer driver and installing a fresh copy is often the best solution.
Removing an old or damaged printer driver can resolve problems such as printers not being detected, print jobs getting stuck, recurring error messages, incorrect printing, or driver conflicts after replacing a printer. Windows 11 and Windows 10 provide several built-in methods to completely remove printer drivers without requiring third-party software.
In this guide, you’ll learn the best ways to uninstall a printer driver in Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Why Uninstall a Printer Driver?
There are several situations where removing a printer driver is recommended.
Common reasons include:
- Corrupted printer driver.
- Driver installation failed.
- Printer is no longer used.
- Replacing the printer with a newer model.
- Driver conflicts after Windows updates.
- Printer keeps showing offline.
- Printing errors or blank pages.
- Print Spooler problems.
- Incorrect printer settings.
- Reinstalling the latest driver.
Method 1: Remove the Printer from Windows Settings
Before uninstalling the driver, remove the printer from Windows.
- Open Settings.
- Go to Bluetooth & devices.
- Select Printers & scanners.
- Click the printer you want to remove.
- Select Remove.
- Confirm the removal.
This removes the printer from Windows, but the driver package may still remain installed.
Method 2: Remove the Printer Driver Using Print Server Properties
Print Server Properties allows you to completely remove installed printer drivers.
- Press Win + R.
- Type:
printui.exe /s /t2- Press Enter.
- Open the Drivers tab.
- Select the printer driver.
- Click Remove.
- Choose:
- Remove driver only, or
- Remove driver and driver package
- Click OK.
Removing the driver package ensures Windows doesn’t automatically reuse the old driver.
Method 3: Uninstall the Driver Through Device Manager
Some printers also appear in Device Manager.
- Press Win + X.
- Open Device Manager.
- Expand Print queues.
- Right-click the printer.
- Select Uninstall device.
- If available, check Delete the driver software for this device.
- Click Uninstall.
Restart your computer after the removal.
Method 4: Use Print Management (Windows Pro Editions)
Windows Pro includes the Print Management console.
- Press Win + R.
- Type:
printmanagement.msc- Press Enter.
- Expand Print Servers.
- Expand your computer name.
- Select Drivers.
- Right-click the driver.
- Choose Delete.
This removes the selected printer driver from the system.
Method 5: Stop the Print Spooler Before Removing Drivers
Sometimes Windows prevents driver removal because the Print Spooler is using it.
- Press Win + R.
- Type:
services.msc- Press Enter.
- Locate Print Spooler.
- Right-click it.
- Select Stop.
Remove the driver using one of the previous methods.
Afterward:
- Return to Services.
- Right-click Print Spooler.
- Select Start.
Method 6: Remove Driver Files Using Command Prompt
Advanced users can remove printer drivers using Windows command-line tools.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Display installed printer drivers:
pnputil /enum-driversLocate the printer driver and note its Published Name.
Remove it using:
pnputil /delete-driver oemXX.inf /uninstall /forceReplace oemXX.inf with the appropriate driver name.
Restart the computer after the removal.
Method 7: Install the Latest Printer Driver
After uninstalling the old driver, install the latest version from the printer manufacturer’s support website.
Avoid reinstalling outdated drivers if newer versions are available.
Restart Windows once installation is complete.
Print a test page to verify everything is working correctly.
Method 8: Run the Printer Troubleshooter
If Windows still experiences printer problems after reinstalling the driver, run the built-in troubleshooter.
- Open Settings.
- Navigate to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
- Locate Printer.
- Click Run.
- Apply the recommended fixes.
Restart your computer if prompted.
Method 9: Install Windows Updates
Windows updates often include improved printer compatibility and updated drivers.
- Open Settings.
- Select Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates.
- Install available updates.
- Restart your computer.
Reconnect the printer after updating.
Method 10: Repair Corrupted Windows System Files
If Windows repeatedly fails to remove or reinstall printer drivers, damaged system files may be responsible.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Run:
sfc /scannowAfter the scan completes, run:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealthRestart your computer after both commands finish.
These tools repair Windows components that affect printer installation and driver management.
Tips for Managing Printer Drivers
Following these practices can help prevent future driver problems.
- Install drivers only from trusted sources.
- Remove unused printer drivers regularly.
- Keep Windows updated.
- Update printer firmware when available.
- Restart the computer after major driver changes.
- Keep only the drivers for printers you actively use.
- Create a restore point before installing new drivers.
- Avoid disconnecting the printer during driver installation.
These habits help maintain stable and reliable printer performance.
Conclusion
Uninstalling a printer driver in Windows 11 or Windows 10 is often the best solution for resolving printing errors, driver conflicts, and communication problems. Whether you remove the driver through Windows Settings, Print Server Properties, Device Manager, or Print Management, Windows provides several built-in tools to safely uninstall outdated or corrupted printer drivers. After removing the old driver, installing the latest version from the printer manufacturer and keeping Windows updated helps ensure reliable printing and prevents future compatibility issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does removing a printer also uninstall its driver?
Not always. Removing the printer from Settings typically removes the printer configuration, but the driver package may remain installed until it is removed separately.
What’s the difference between removing the driver and removing the driver package?
Remove driver only deletes the installed driver while keeping the driver package stored in Windows. Remove driver and driver package deletes both, preventing Windows from automatically reinstalling the old driver.
Why can’t I delete a printer driver?
The Print Spooler service or another application may still be using the driver. Stopping the Print Spooler or restarting the computer usually allows the driver to be removed.
Will uninstalling a printer driver affect other printers?
Only if those printers use the same driver package. If multiple printers rely on the same driver, removing it may require reinstalling the driver for those printers afterward.
