Windows cannot locate a suitable print driver on Windows 11/10

When adding a printer to an already connected Printer, if you receive an error message stating that Windows cannot locate a suitable printer driver, this post will help you resolve this error. It happens for two reasons: the printer is not adequately shared with the correct permissions, and the printer driver is faulty.

Windows cannot locate a suitable print driver

If Windows 11/10 cannot locate a suitable print driver, here are some troubleshooting tips to ensure the network printer can be found from a remote computer.

1. Share the Printer with the correct permissions
2. Change Network Profile visibility
3. Update Printer Driver

You will need admin privileges to apply the suggested settings.

1] Share the Printer with the correct permissions

You should configure this from the computer where the printer was initially set up.

1. Go to Windows Settings > Bluetooth and devices > Printers & scanners
2. Click on the printer you want to share, and then click on Printer Properties.
3. Switch to the sharing tab and check Share this printer and Render print jobs on client computers options.
4. Next, Go to the Security tab and ensure the user with the name EVERYONE is available.
5. Select the user Everyone, and check the box Allow under Permissions.

It will ensure that anyone who can see the shared printer can print on it.

2] Change Network Profile visibility

When you connect to a Wi-Fi network, the default mode is set to Public. This ensures that your PC and any other shared item stay hidden. Since we are discussing a non-public network scenario, ensure the profile is set to Wi-Fi. This is typically helpful if you have a non-Wifi printer that is shared through a computer.

• Go to Windows Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings
• Click on Advanced sharing settings under More settings.
• Toggle on Network discovery and File and printer sharing is turned on.

It will ensure that a printer shared by a desktop or a laptop can be discovered.

Read: How to share and add a Network Printer in Windows.

3] Update Printer Driver

The process is relatively simple. First, use Device Manager or Windows Settings to remove the driver. Then, uninstall any printer driver and software on your PC.

• Open Device Manager and locate the Printer
• Right-click on it and choose to uninstall. Make sure to check the option that says Delete the driver software.
• Once you have done this, restart your PC and then connect the printer.
• Then, download the official driver from the OEM and install it.

Once done, the issue should be resolved. If you remove and re-add the driver, you must configure the Sharing Permission again.

Related read: From where do you download drivers for Windows?

How do I find my printer driver’s location?

The printer driver is usually located in the C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository folder on a Windows machine. However, you can also find them using the Device Manager, where the devices are listed.

Why can’t my computer find my printer driver?

Windows doesn’t install a driver independently unless the driver is packaged with the installation file. You should also know that Device Manager can no longer install driver files from Windows updates. Instead, you need to download it from the OEM website and install it.