Windows 10 updates and printer drivers

Jannyfox

Jannyfox

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Does anyone else have this problem? My W10 picked up the latest BIG update recently and now the network printer just shows as offline. I've had this before. I had to re-install the printer driver, and I have a feeling that was after the first BIG update. I don't print from the laptop that often, but having to re-install the driver after every significant update is ridiculous. What was supposed to be a quick print job before I went out turned into - pdf the files, turn on Old Faithful XP desktop, transfer files to desktop and print from there. I'm dreading the day when I have to buy a new desktop so I don't have the fallback...........(n)
I can scan fro the laptop, so it's just the print side of things.
 
It' the printer manufacturer who is responsible for ensuring suitable drivers are available to work modern operating systems and their associated updates.
My guess is they do not want to release updated drivers because they want you to buy a new printer. I know this because I have a similar problem with a Canon scanner.
 
No longer get sound from my HDMI connection to TV! :(
 
Again most likely drivers (assuming it's not just the default playback device changed) . If it's ati card there's normally (or at least was) a separate hdmi sound driver component.
 
neil_g said:
Again most likely drivers (assuming it's not just the default playback device changed) . If it's ati card there's normally (or at least was) a separate hdmi sound driver component.
Click to expand...

Thank you, the PC is a Dell XPS l502x laptop so being Dell and old there are no driver updates.

Playback devices show:-

capture1.jpg

The Realtek Digital Output is via a small jack socket ... I can't relate anything anywhere to an HDMI output.
It worked perfectly before but now all I can get is video.
 
Still trying to fix this printer problem. I removed the printer in Settings and tried to reinstall it, but my attempt to install the driver from the Epson website ended in it hanging and a shutdown of the laptop. On restarting it, the laptop couldn't see a printer at all. I did a 'proper' restart of the laptop and there was the printer, except that now it's saying there are no drivers installed, even though I've just reinstalled them (after the restart). Baffled!
When I bought the printer my partner installed it for me. I remember him complaining that it all went without a hitch on the XP desktop, but the shiny new W10 laptop was a PITA. Sod's law he's away atm, so looks like it's going to have to wait for him.
 
Jannyfox said:
Still trying to fix this printer problem. I removed the printer in Settings and tried to reinstall it, but my attempt to install the driver from the Epson website ended in it hanging and a shutdown of the laptop. On restarting it, the laptop couldn't see a printer at all. I did a 'proper' restart of the laptop and there was the printer, except that now it's saying there are no drivers installed, even though I've just reinstalled them (after the restart). Baffled!
When I bought the printer my partner installed it for me. I remember him complaining that it all went without a hitch on the XP desktop, but the shiny new W10 laptop was a PITA. Sod's law he's away atm, so looks like it's going to have to wait for him.
Click to expand...

If using the printer via WiFi like our one then under w7 & w10 it needed to be initially installed whilst USB connected. So just double check the instructions in case that is she for you......... and also download the current driver installer from the printer makers website.
 
Box Brownie said:
If using the printer via WiFi like our one then under w7 & w10 it needed to be initially installed whilst USB connected. So just double check the instructions in case that is she for you......... and also download the current driver installer from the printer makers website.
Click to expand...

Interesting. I don't remember having to do that when I bought the printer but I'll look and see if that is the case. I have downloaded new drivers (well, I don't think they are 'new') from the Epson web site and everything seemed to install correctly. The only thing I haven't done as I had to go out to do another full shutdown/restart of the laptop. I'm just about to try that. If that doesn't work it can wait for my partner to come back from Scotland.
 
Nope. All I get against the printer is 'driver is unavailable'. It's like it's just not seeing it on the network but it's there and turned on. I'm not a computer expert, but I'm not a dummy either. I just feel that computers, especially now that so much is done via wifi networks, are getting to the point of being too complex for the mere mortal. Fine when everything works as it should, but when it doesn't...... Fortunately I have an alternative when it comes to printing, but if I hadn't..........:(
 
I don't have any Windows 10 problems with either or my Canon printers, but I'm old fashioned enough to drive them via a direct USB cable which I plug in when I want a print.
 
chris malcolm said:
I don't have any Windows 10 problems with either or my Canon printers, but I'm old fashioned enough to drive them via a direct USB cable which I plug in when I want a print.
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If I didn't need to sometimes print from the laptop I'd be doing just that. Unfortunately now I'm using some software that won't run on XP, which generates files that then have to be printed out. I only found the problem with the printer when I was going out, I needed the printouts to take with me and the desktop hadn't been turned on. As a result it was a rush to get where I was going on time. That was what hacked me off so much. It had all worked fine the last time I'd used it.
 
I gave up with wireless printing to my Brother printer. More trouble than it's worth - particularly when you are in a rush, the computer decides it can't see the printer!!
 
Box Brownie said:
Re driver unavailable

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...vailable/f874edb1-8d4e-43db-90fb-0433ad4f5473

Epson download page

https://www.epson.co.uk/viewcon/cor...units/faq/7824?sid=an5nosp7qrgnm7rhmukqeimci6

Just in case these can help???
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I've saved the one about compatability mode in case we need to give it a try. All the other suggestions I've done already. The printer is W10 compatable. It's only a year old. My XP desktop has no wifi capability so is hardwired to the router. The only wifi bit is router to printer. I don't know if that makes a difference. Any new desktop I get will be set up the same way.
 
FWIW
Our setup is both wired & wireless but in regard to the printer (an HP mono one) it is purely WiFi connected via the router so that I can even print from my Android smartphone. And is used by all 4 devices as needed.

So, did I miss it in your posts but have you shutdown & restarted the printer??? The reason I ask that is because every once in a while without error messages there is a failed print. And power cycling the printer cures it, therefore even though I have it set to use a fixed IP address it is maybe losing connection???
 
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Box Brownie said:
FWIW
Our setup is both wired & wireless but in regard to the printer (an HP mono one) it is purely WiFi connected via the router so that I can even print from my Android smartphone. And is used by all 4 devices as needed.

So, did I miss it in your posts but have you shutdown & restarted the printer??? The reason I ask that is because every once in a while without error messages there is a failed print. And power cycling the printer cures it, therefore even though I have it set to use a fixed IP address it is maybe losing connection???
Click to expand...

Yes, printer's been on and off, laptop's been restarted (not the normal half shutdown and start), printer is using an ip address, but nothing. I've wasted enough of my life on it - it can wait for the OH to come back. Actually knowing it's not working is much less of a problem than thinking it will because it did a few days ago, trying to get a print just before I'm going out then having to wait while the desktop boots up.
 
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