If you find yourself struggling with a printer driver that is currently in use and causing disruptions in your printing tasks, fear not, as this article will provide you with essential troubleshooting steps to resolve this issue. Whether it’s a malfunctioning driver or an outdated version, understanding how to fix your printer driver can save you time and frustration, allowing you to resume seamless printing in no time.
Step 1: Restart The Printer And Computer
Restarting the printer and computer is often the first troubleshooting step recommended to fix printer driver issues. By restarting, you can resolve temporary software glitches that might be causing the problem.
To begin, turn off both the printer and the computer. Disconnect the printer from the power source and unplug it from the computer. Wait for a couple of minutes before plugging the printer back into the power source. Then, reconnect the printer to the computer securely.
Next, turn on the printer and let it fully initialize. Once the printer is on, restart your computer. After the computer reboots, it will automatically detect the printer and install any necessary drivers.
If the printer driver issue persists, consider trying the other troubleshooting steps mentioned in this article.
Step 2: Check For Software Updates
When encountering issues with your printer driver, it is crucial to ensure that you have the latest software updates installed on your computer. Outdated printer drivers can cause compatibility problems and hinder your printing experience.
Start by checking the manufacturer’s website for any available updates for your specific printer model. Most manufacturers regularly release driver updates to improve performance, fix bugs, and enhance compatibility with newer operating systems. Download and install the latest driver software provided by the manufacturer.
Alternatively, you can utilize the built-in software update functionality on your computer. For Windows users, go to the “Settings” menu, select “Update & Security,” and then click “Check for updates.” Conversely, Mac users can access the “Apple Menu,” choose “System Preferences,” select “Software Update,” and click “Check Now.” Install any available updates for your operating system, as these often include driver updates.
By regularly checking for software updates, you can ensure that you have the most stable and compatible printer driver installed, avoiding potential conflicts and issues that may arise.
Step 3: Reinstall The Printer Driver
If restarting your printer and computer didn’t solve the issue, the next troubleshooting step is to reinstall the printer driver. A corrupted printer driver could be the cause behind the “printer driver currently in use” error.
To begin, you’ll need to uninstall the existing printer driver. Go to the Control Panel on your computer and click on “Devices and Printers.” Locate your printer, right-click on it, and select “Remove device” or “Uninstall.” Follow the prompts to complete the driver removal process.
After uninstalling the driver, you’ll need to download and install the latest version from the printer manufacturer’s website. Visit their support or download section, enter your printer model, and download the appropriate driver for your operating system.
Once downloaded, run the installation file and follow the on-screen instructions. Make sure to choose the correct installation options and connect the printer when prompted.
By reinstalling the printer driver, you will provide your system with a fresh and functional driver, which should resolve any conflicts or issues causing the “driver currently in use” error.
Step 4: Clear The Print Queue
When your printer is unable to print and showing the “printer driver currently in use” error, it may be due to a stuck print queue. The print queue is a list of print jobs that are waiting to be printed. Sometimes, a print job may get stuck or corrupted, causing issues with the printer driver.
To clear the print queue, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “services.msc” and press Enter to open the Services window.
3. Scroll down and locate the “Print Spooler” service.
4. Right-click on the Print Spooler service and select “Stop” from the context menu.
5. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:WindowsSystem32spoolPRINTERS (replace C with the system drive where Windows is installed if necessary).
6. Delete all the files in the PRINTERS folder.
7. Go back to the Services window, right-click on the Print Spooler service, and select “Start” to restart the service.
8. Try printing a test page to see if the issue is resolved.
Clearing the print queue can often resolve issues with the printer driver currently in use error and allow you to print without any problems.
Step 5: Remove Conflicting Printer Software
Sometimes, conflicting printer software or outdated drivers can cause issues with the current printer driver in use. To fix this problem, you need to remove any conflicting printer software installed on your computer.
First, navigate to the Control Panel on your computer and search for “Programs” or “Programs and Features.” Click on this option to open the list of installed programs.
Look for any printer-related applications or software that you no longer use or that may be causing conflicts. Select the software and choose the “Uninstall” or “Remove” option. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.
If you encounter any difficulties during this process, you can visit the manufacturer’s website for specific instructions on how to uninstall their printer software.
After removing the conflicting printer software, restart your computer and try reinstalling the correct printer driver. This should resolve any issues caused by conflicting software and allow your printer to function properly.
Step 6: Update Or Rollback The Printer Driver
In the troubleshooting process of fixing a printer driver, updating or rolling back the driver can often resolve the issue. This step involves assessing the current driver status and taking appropriate action to ensure the printer operates smoothly.
To update the printer driver, begin by visiting the manufacturer’s website and checking for any available updates. If updates are found, download and install them according to the provided instructions. Updating the driver ensures that any known bugs or compatibility issues are addressed, improving the printer’s performance.
In some cases, a newly updated driver might not work correctly with your system. If you notice any new issues or the printer malfunctioning after an update, you can rollback the driver to its earlier version. To achieve this, navigate to the Device Manager on your computer, locate the printer driver, right-click on it, and select the option to rollback the driver.
Both updating and rolling back the driver offer potential solutions to common printer driver problems. By implementing step 6, you increase the chances of resolving any issues and restoring your printer’s optimal functionality. However, if this step does not resolve the problem, it may be necessary to proceed to step 7 and contact technical support for further assistance.
Step 7: Contact Technical Support If All Steps Fail
If you have followed all the previous troubleshooting steps mentioned above and still encountering issues with your printer driver, it might be time to seek technical support. Contacting the printer’s manufacturer or the customer support team can provide you with expert assistance in resolving the problem.
When reaching out to technical support, make sure to explain the steps you have already taken to troubleshoot the issue. This will help them understand your situation better and provide targeted solutions. They may guide you through advanced troubleshooting steps or recommend specific software or driver updates to fix the problem.
Remember to provide them with relevant information such as the printer model, operating system, and any error messages you have encountered. Additionally, be prepared to follow their instructions and provide any necessary logs or diagnostic information they may request.
While contacting technical support may require some patience, their expertise can often lead to a successful resolution, allowing you to get your printer up and running again.
FAQs
FAQ 1: Why does my printer driver show as “currently in use”?
Answer: The “currently in use” message indicates that the printer driver is being utilized by one or more tasks or programs on your computer. It is a normal status when the printer is actively printing or performing any other function. If you encounter this message when you are not using the printer, it could be due to a background process or an error. Proceed with the troubleshooting steps below to fix the issue.
FAQ 2: How do I stop background processes using the printer driver?
Answer: To stop background processes using the printer driver, begin by closing all programs that may be accessing the printer. Check the system tray in the bottom right corner of your screen and right-click on any printer-related icons. Choose “Exit” or “Close” to terminate those processes. Additionally, you can open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc, navigate to the “Processes” tab, and end any tasks related to the printer. Afterward, check if the “currently in use” message persists.
FAQ 3: What should I do if closing programs does not resolve the issue?
Answer: If closing programs does not resolve the “currently in use” issue with the printer driver, try restarting your computer. This will ensure that any hidden background processes associated with the driver are completely terminated. After the restart, check your printer’s status. If the problem persists, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.
FAQ 4: How do I update or reinstall my printer driver?
Answer: To update or reinstall your printer driver, follow these steps:
1. Visit the website of your printer’s manufacturer and locate the “Support” or “Downloads” section.
2. Enter your printer model and ensure you download the correct driver for your operating system.
3. Once downloaded, run the driver installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
If you already have the latest driver installed, you can try uninstalling the current driver from your computer’s “Device Manager” and then reinstalling it using the above steps. This may help resolve any issues with the printer driver currently in use.
Final Verdict
In conclusion, fixing a printer driver that is currently in use can be a challenging task, but by following these essential troubleshooting steps, the issue can potentially be resolved. Whether it’s restarting the computer and printer, updating the driver software, or reinstalling the driver altogether, these steps are designed to address common issues that may be causing the driver to malfunction. However, if the problem persists, it may be necessary to seek professional assistance or contact the printer manufacturer for further support.