Why you might need to uninstall a printer driver

You uninstall a printer driver when you no longer use that printer, when the driver is causing problems, or when you need to replace it with a newer version. A driver that stays installed but unused takes up disk space and can sometimes conflict with other software. If your printer stopped working after a software update, or if you're troubleshooting a connection problem, removing and reinstalling the driver often fixes it.

The process differs slightly depending on whether you're using Windows or Mac, and whether the printer is still physically connected to your computer. Uninstalling is straightforward once you know where to look — most of the work is just finding the right menu.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, right-click the printer, and select Remove Device to uninstall the driver.
  • On Mac, go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners, select the printer, and click the minus button to remove it.
  • If the printer is still plugged in, disconnect it before uninstalling to avoid the system reinstalling the driver automatically.
  • After uninstalling, restart your computer before reconnecting the printer or installing a new driver.
  • If a driver won't uninstall through normal menus, you may need to use the manufacturer's removal tool or access Device Manager on Windows.

Uninstalling on Windows 10 and Windows 11

The standard way to remove a printer driver on Windows is through the Printers & Scanners settings. First, disconnect the printer from your computer — unplug the USB cable or forget the wireless connection. Then open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," or by clicking the Start menu and selecting the Settings gear icon.

Navigate to Devices, then select Printers & Scanners from the left menu. Find the printer you want to remove in the list. Click on it once to select it, then click the Remove Device button that appears. Windows will ask you to confirm; click Remove again. The driver is now uninstalled.

If the Remove Device button does not appear, or if the printer is still listed after you click Remove, the driver may be installed at a deeper level. In that case, open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Device Manager (or press Windows key + X and choose it from the menu). Look for Printers in the list, expand it, right-click your printer, and select Uninstall Device. Check the box that says "Attempt to remove the driver software for this device" before confirming.

Uninstalling on Mac

On Mac, printer drivers are managed through System Settings. Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions). Navigate to Printers & Scanners in the sidebar.

Find the printer you want to remove in the list on the left. Click it once to select it, then click the minus button (–) below the list. The printer and its driver will be removed. If you do not see a minus button, the printer may be a default system printer that cannot be removed through this menu — in that case, straightforward adding a different printer as your default will stop the old driver from being used.

Using manufacturer removal tools

Some printer manufacturers, particularly Canon, Epson, and HP, provide dedicated uninstall programs that remove drivers more thoroughly than the standard Windows or Mac menus. These tools are useful if a driver is causing persistent problems or if it won't uninstall through normal methods.

Visit the manufacturer's support website, search for your printer model, and look for a "Drivers & Downloads" or "Support" section. read the uninstall utility (sometimes called a "removal tool" or "cleaner"). Run the program and follow the on-screen instructions. The tool will remove the driver files, registry entries, and any related software. After it finishes, restart your computer.

What to do if the driver won't uninstall

If a driver remains installed after you attempt to remove it, the printer may still be connected to your computer. Disconnect it completely — unplug USB cables, forget the wireless network connection, and remove any Bluetooth pairing. Then try uninstalling again through Settings or Device Manager.

Another common cause is that another program is using the printer driver. Close all open applications, including web browsers and document editors, before uninstalling. On Windows, you can also try uninstalling in Safe Mode: restart your computer, hold Shift while clicking Restart, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings, and choose Safe Mode. Then open Device Manager and uninstall the driver.

If none of these steps work, the driver files may be corrupted or locked by the system. Restart your computer and try again when ready after startup, before other programs load. If the problem persists, using the manufacturer's removal tool (described above) is usually more effective than the built-in Windows or Mac uninstall options.

After uninstalling: what comes next

Once the driver is uninstalled, restart your computer. This clears temporary files and ensures the system is not trying to use the old driver. After restart, do not reconnect the printer when ready — wait a few minutes to let the system fully load.

If you plan to use the printer again, read the latest driver from the manufacturer's website before reconnecting it. This prevents Windows or Mac from automatically installing an older or incorrect version. If you do not plan to use the printer again, you can straightforward leave it disconnected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will uninstalling the driver delete my printer settings or documents?

No. The driver controls communication between your computer and the printer, not your files. Uninstalling the driver does not affect documents you have already printed or any files stored on your computer or printer's memory.

What if I uninstall the driver but the printer still shows up in my device list?

The printer may still be connected to your computer. Disconnect it completely — unplug USB cables and forget wireless connections — then restart your computer. If it still appears, use Device Manager on Windows to force removal, or contact the manufacturer's support for a removal tool.

Do I need to uninstall the old driver before installing a new one?

Not always. Installing a newer version of the same driver usually overwrites the old one automatically. However, if you are switching to a different printer model or brand, uninstalling the old driver first prevents conflicts and ensures a clean installation.

Can I uninstall a printer driver if the printer is turned off?

Yes. The printer does not need to be powered on to uninstall its driver — the driver is software on your computer, not on the printer itself. However, you should disconnect the physical connection (USB cable or wireless pairing) before uninstalling.

What happens if I restart my computer before the uninstall finishes?

The uninstall process may not complete, and the driver files could remain on your system. If this happens, the driver will likely still be installed. straightforward repeat the uninstall process from the beginning — there is no harm in trying again.