Printer displayed as Unspecified device in Windows 10: Fix It Now

How to stop my printer from showing as Unspecified device?​

1. Remove and Reinstall Printer Driver​

1. Open the Start Menu by clicking on the Start button.
2. Type "Programs and Features" in the search bar and press Enter.
3. In the Programs and Features window, select your HP Printer.
4. Click Uninstall and follow the prompts to remove the printer software.
5. Open the Start Menu again and type "Devices and Printers" in the search bar, then press Enter.
6. In the Devices and Printers window, locate your HP printer.
7. Right-click on the printer and select "Delete" or "Remove Device."
8. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
9. Type "printui.exe /s" (note the space before /s) and press Enter.
10. In the Print Server Properties window, click the Drivers tab.
11. Select the HP Printer driver and click Remove at the bottom.
12. Confirm by clicking OK.
13. Close the Devices and Printers window.
14. Visit the HP website and download the latest driver for your printer model.
15. Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install the new driver.
16. Configure your printer and try printing.

Reinstalling the printer driver can resolve driver-related issues by ensuring you have the correct and updated software installed.

2. Remove USB Driver and Reinstall​

1. Open the Start Menu and type "Device Manager" in the search bar, then press Enter.
2. In Device Manager, expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers section.
3. Locate and right-click on the USB driver for your printer.
4. Select Uninstall device and confirm the uninstallation.
5. Disconnect the USB cable from your printer.
6. Restart your computer.
7. Once the computer restarts, reconnect the USB cable to the printer.
8. Allow Windows to detect and reinstall the USB driver automatically.

Removing and reinstalling the USB driver can help resolve issues where the printer is not correctly recognized by the computer.

3. Check for Windows Updates​

1. Open the Start Menu and type "Windows Update" in the search bar, then press Enter.
2. In the Windows Update window, click Check for updates.
   
3. If updates are found, click Install updates and follow the on-screen instructions.
4. Restart your computer after the updates are installed.

Ensuring your Windows operating system is up to date can resolve compatibility issues and improve device recognition.

4. Manually Add Printer​

1. Open the Start Menu and type "Devices and Printers" in the search bar, then press Enter.
2. Click Add a printer at the top of the window.
3. Select The printer that I want isn’t listed.
   
4. Choose Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings and click Next.
5. Select Use an existing port and choose the appropriate port (usually USB001).
6. Click Next and select the manufacturer and model of your printer.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Manually adding the printer allows you to bypass automatic detection issues and set up the printer manually.

5. Cancel Device Setup in Progress​

1. Open the Start Menu and type "Devices and Printers" in the search bar, then press Enter.
2. Locate the printer with the "Device setup in progress" message.
3. Right-click on the printer and select Cancel.
4. Disconnect the USB cable from the printer.
5. Restart your computer.
6. Reconnect the USB cable and ensure the printer is on.
7. Allow Windows to detect and set up the printer again.

Canceling the ongoing setup and starting anew can resolve issues where the device setup process is stuck.

6. Use Brother’s Instructions for Unspecified Device​

1. Open the Start Menu and type "Devices and Printers" in the search bar, then press Enter.
2. Right-click the Unspecified printer driver and select Remove Device.
3. Confirm by clicking Yes.
4. Disconnect the USB cable from the printer.
5. Click on another printer in the Printers folder to change the menu options.
6. At the top of the Printers folder, click Print Server Properties.
7. Go to the Drivers tab and click Change Driver Settings.
8. If the printer driver is listed, click on it and click Remove.
9. Select Remove Driver Only and click OK.
10. Close the Print Server Properties window.
11. Reconnect the USB cable to the printer and ensure the printer is on.
12. The printer driver will reinstall automatically.

Following Brother’s instructions helps ensure that even stubborn unspecified devices are properly removed and reinstalled.