Why Printer Drivers Fail After Updates (Causes & Fixes)

-

Why Printer Drivers Fail After Updates (Causes & Fixes)

Why Printer Drivers Fail After Updates

Introduction

Printer drivers are essential software components that allow your operating system to communicate with your printer. While updates are intended to improve performance and security, many users experience problems after updating printer drivers—such as printers going offline, print jobs failing, or scanners no longer working.

This article explains why printer drivers fail after updates, what actually breaks in the system, and how to fix these issues safely on Windows and macOS.

1. Operating System Updates Break Driver Compatibility

One of the most common reasons printer drivers fail after updates is OS–driver incompatibility.

What happens:

  • Windows or macOS updates system libraries and security rules

  • Older drivers are no longer compatible

  • The printer appears installed but cannot respond

Examples:

  • Windows Feature Updates (e.g., Windows 11 version upgrades)

  • macOS major releases (Ventura, Sonoma, etc.)

Fix:

  • Always install the latest driver version released after the OS update

  • Avoid using generic drivers when a manufacturer driver is available

2. Driver Files Become Corrupted During Updates

Sometimes updates fail silently and leave incomplete or corrupted driver files.

Symptoms:

  • Printer not detected

  • “Driver unavailable” error

  • Print jobs stuck in queue

Why it happens:

  • Interrupted update process

  • Antivirus blocking driver components

  • Power loss during installation

Fix:

  1. Uninstall the existing printer driver completely

  2. Restart the system

  3. Reinstall the official driver from the manufacturer website

👉 Related guide:
How to Fix Print Jobs Stuck or Failing

3. Windows Replaces Manufacturer Drivers with Generic Ones

After updates, Windows may automatically install a generic printer driver, overriding the original one.

What breaks:

  • Advanced printer features (scan, duplex, ink monitoring)

  • Wireless printing

  • Multifunction capabilities

How to check:

  • Open Device Manager

  • Look for “Generic Printer” or “Microsoft IPP Driver”

Fix:

  • Manually reinstall the full driver package from the printer brand

  • Disable automatic driver replacement if necessary

4. Security Updates Block Driver Permissions

Modern OS updates tighten security policies.

Common issues:

  • Driver blocked by Gatekeeper (macOS)

  • Driver not allowed to run (Windows Defender)

  • Scanner functions disabled

Fix (macOS):

  • Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security

  • Allow blocked printer software manually

Fix (Windows):

  • Temporarily disable antivirus during installation

  • Run installer as Administrator

5. Network & Wireless Settings Reset After Updates

Wireless printers are especially vulnerable after system updates.

What changes:

  • Network profiles reset

  • Printer IP address changes

  • Firewall rules removed

Symptoms:

  • Printer “offline”

  • Printer not found on network

Fix:

  • Reconnect printer to Wi-Fi

  • Re-add printer using TCP/IP or Wireless Setup Wizard

👉 See:
How to Fix Printer Offline Error

6. Scanner Stops Working After Driver Updates

Many users report that printing works but scanning fails after updates.

Reason:

  • Scan drivers (WIA, TWAIN) not installed

  • Permissions revoked

  • Scanner service disabled

Fix:

  • Install the full software suite, not just print driver

  • Restart scanner services

  • Re-add scanner in system settings

👉 Troubleshooting guide:
Scanner Not Working After Driver Install

Best Practices to Prevent Driver Failures After Updates

Follow these rules to avoid future issues:

  • ✅ Delay OS updates until compatible drivers are available

  • ✅ Always use official manufacturer drivers

  • ✅ Keep driver installers backed up

  • ✅ Avoid third-party driver websites

  • ✅ Reboot after every driver installation

When You Should Update Printer Drivers

Update your printer driver only if:

  • Your printer stops working

  • You upgrade your operating system

  • The manufacturer releases a stability or security update

Avoid unnecessary updates if everything is working fine.

Conclusion

Printer drivers fail after updates mainly due to compatibility issues, corrupted files, security restrictions, and driver replacements. Understanding what breaks allows you to fix the problem quickly and safely.

For a complete overview of printer drivers, installation, and troubleshooting, read:
👉 Complete Printer Driver Guide 2025

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Fplus PB401dn — Features, Specs, Performance & Business Use

-
Image
Printer Fplus PB401dn (PB401dn) The Fplus PB401dn is a purpose-built monochrome A4 laser printer designed for small-to-medium offices and workgroups that need fast, reliable black-and-white output without an enterprise price. It’s positioned as an economical but capable device: a responsive print engine, business-grade networking and a serviceable monthly duty envelope make the PB401dn an appealing choice when the priorities are speed, uptime and low per-page cost rather than color output or advanced multifunction features. Below is a practical, hands-on style breakdown you can use to decide whether the PB401dn fits your office: what it offers at a glance, the exact specs that matter, real-world performance expectations, best business use cases, deployment and maintenance tips, and a short pros/cons checklist. What the PB401dn is (and isn’t) The PB401dn is a mono (black-and-white) laser printer built for document throughput. It’s not an MFP — it focuses on printing rather than sc...
Products

Brother Printer Wireless Driver Installation Guide (Windows & macOS)

-
Image
Brother Printer Wireless Driver Installation Guide (Windows & macOS) Introduction Brother wireless printers are widely used in home offices and small businesses due to their reliability and cost efficiency. However, to fully utilize wireless printing features, the correct Brother printer driver must be installed and properly configured. This guide explains how to install Brother wireless printer drivers step by step on both Windows and macOS, including common issues and best practices for a stable wireless connection. Supported Brother Wireless Printer Models This guide applies to most Brother Wi-Fi printers, including: DCP series (DCP-T420W, DCP-T720DW, etc.) HL series (HL-L2321D, HL-L3270CDW) MFC series (MFC-T920DW, MFC-L3750CDW) Before You Start (Important Checklist) ✔ Stable Wi-Fi connection ✔ Printer powered ON ✔ Printer connected to the same network as your computer ✔ Admin access on Windows or macOS ✔ Correct printer model name Where to Downloa...
Products

Dell Precision 7920 Tower Review — Features, Specs, Performance

-
Image
Dell Precision 7920 Tower Review La tour Dell Precision 7920 est une station de travail motorisée (surnommée par la société « la station de travail la plus puissante au monde », rien de moins) conçue pour gérer des applications complexes et exigeantes en mettant l'accent sur la capacité d'évoluer à mesure que les organisations se développent. Cela est particulièrement évident dans ses nombreuses options personnalisables, car les configurations vont de 2 000 $ à des dizaines de milliers de dollars. Les entreprises de toutes tailles seront certainement en mesure de créer un système qui répond le mieux à leurs besoins. Par exemple, les options de mémoire vont de 16 Go jusqu'à 3 To de RAM RDIMM/LRDIMM à 2666 MHz, qui utilise une architecture de mémoire à 6 canaux lors de l'utilisation de certains processeurs. De plus, il est équipé de la dernière famille de processeurs Intel Xeon Scalable, qui comprend jusqu'à 28 cÅ“urs par processeur ou un total de 56 cÅ“urs lorsqu'...
Products

How to Fix Print Jobs Stuck or Failing on Windows and macOS

-
Image
How to Fix Print Jobs Stuck or Failing on Windows and macOS Print jobs getting stuck in the queue or failing to print is a common issue on both Windows and macOS systems. Documents may show “Printing” but never complete, or the printer status may switch to “Error,” “Paused,” or “Offline.” This guide explains the most common causes and provides step-by-step solutions for home and office users. Common Causes of Print Jobs Stuck or Failing Before troubleshooting, it helps to understand the typical reasons behind this problem: Corrupted print queue Print Spooler service not running properly Outdated or incompatible printer drivers Unstable USB, Wi-Fi, or network connection Printer set to Offline or Paused Operating system updates causing driver conflicts macOS permission or printing system errors How to Fix Print Jobs Stuck on Windows 1. Restart the Print Spooler Service The Print Spooler manages all print jobs in Windows. Steps: Press Windows + R Type...
Products

Best Ink Tank Printers for Home Use 2025

-
Image
Best Ink Tank Printers for Home Use 2025 Introduction Ink tank printers are increasingly popular for home use because they offer low running costs , high page yield , and refillable tank convenience compared with cartridge-based models. Many of the best models also include all-in-one functionality like scanning and copying, making them great choices for families, students, and home offices alike. 👉 how printer drivers work  →  Complete Printer Driver Guide 2025: Download, Install, Update, and Troubleshoot Safely Why Choose an Ink Tank Printer for Home? Lower cost per page: Refillable tanks reduce the need for costly cartridges. Large ink supply: High-yield bottles can print thousands of pages. Wireless & mobile printing: Many models support Wi-Fi and smartphone printing. Multifunction features: Print, scan, and copy with one machine. Top Ink Tank Printers for Home Use in 2025 1. Epson EcoTank ET-8550 — Best Overall Epson’s EcoTank series has lon...
Products

HP Printer Driver Installation Guide for Windows and macOS

-
Image
HP Printer Driver Installation Guide for Windows and macOS Installing the correct HP printer driver is essential to ensure your printer works properly on both Windows and macOS. Without the right driver, you may encounter issues such as the printer not being detected, limited functionality, or frequent error messages. This guide provides a complete, step-by-step explanation to help you download, install, update, and troubleshoot HP printer drivers safely. Why HP Printer Drivers Are Important HP printer drivers act as a bridge between your operating system and the printer hardware. A compatible and up-to-date driver ensures: Full printing and scanning functionality Stable connection via USB or network Compatibility with the latest Windows and macOS updates Fewer errors such as “Printer Offline” or “Driver Unavailable” Step 1: Identify Your HP Printer Model Before downloading any driver, confirm your printer model: Check the printer label (front or back panel) View the model name on the ...
Products