Printer stopped working after a Windows update
Your printer worked until a Windows update, and now it's offline, missing or showing an error. Reinstall it, update the driver or roll back safely.
Quick fix
Restart the PC and the printer, then go to Settings > Windows Update and install any further updates, including optional driver updates. If that doesn't help, remove the printer and add it again with the manufacturer's latest driver for your Windows version.
Didn’t work? Go to the full stepsYou might see
- Printing stopped right after an update installed
- The printer shows Driver is unavailable or Offline
- Errors such as 0x0000011b or 0x00000709 when connecting to a shared printer
- The printer disappeared from Printers and scanners
Usually caused by
- The update replaced or broke the printer driver
- Security changes affecting shared or network printers
- An older driver that no longer works with the new Windows version
- A bug in the update itself, often fixed by a later update
Step-by-step fix
Work through the steps in order and check each one off. Most people are printing again before the last step.
Windows 11 / 10
0 of 7 steps tried
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Restart and install follow-up updates
Restart both devices, then go to Settings > Windows Update and click Check for updates. Printing problems are often fixed in a later update. Also check Advanced options > Optional updates for a driver update for your printer.
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Remove and re-add the printer
In Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select the printer and choose Remove. Restart, then add it again with Add device.
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Install the latest manufacturer driver
Download the newest driver for your model and Windows version from the manufacturer's official support site. Makers often release updated drivers after major Windows updates.
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Check Windows protected print mode
On recent Windows 11 versions, look for Windows protected print mode on the Printers & scanners page. If it's on, printers that need a manufacturer driver are blocked and only those that work with the built-in Windows driver will print.
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Reconnect shared printers
For a printer shared from another PC, fully update both computers, then remove and re-add the shared printer. Avoid registry tweaks found online that weaken connection security; they were meant as temporary workarounds and many no longer work.
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Uninstall the update temporarily
As a last resort, go to Settings > Windows Update > Update history > Uninstall updates and remove the most recent one (Windows 10: Update & Security > Windows Update > View update history > Uninstall updates). This removes security fixes, so treat it as temporary: pause updates for a week or two, then reinstall once a fix is available.
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Use System Restore
If restore points are turned on, type Create a restore point in the Start search, open it, click System Restore and choose a point from before the update. Your personal files aren't affected, but apps installed since then may need reinstalling.
Did this fix it?
Good. To confirm everything is healthy, print a test page. It takes a minute and shows any quality problems early.
Try these next
Still stuck? The troubleshooter asks a few questions and narrows it down. If your printer is under warranty, the manufacturer can repair or replace it at no cost. Find their official support site on our brand pages.
Common questions
Is it safe to uninstall a Windows update?
It's safe for your files, but security updates protect your PC, so only remove one temporarily. Reinstall it once Microsoft or the printer maker releases a fix.
Why do updates break printers so often?
Printer drivers are written by many different companies and work closely with Windows. When Windows changes how printing or security works, older drivers can stop working until they're updated.