Windows update replaced my printer driver — rollback guide

Joe B.

Reviewed for technical accuracy

Specialities: Windows 11/10, macOS (Sonoma/Ventura/Monterey), Printers, Networking, Office Equipment

Windows Update replaced printer driver — roll back, restore OEM (HP, Epson, Canon, Brother)

Technician

Hey! If a Windows Update replaced your printer driver and things broke (missing features, “Driver unavailable”, or the queue shows Microsoft IPP Class Driver) we can fix it. Tell me the brand — HP, Epson, Canon, or Brother — and whether you’re on Windows 11 or Windows 10. We’ll roll back the printer driver, remove the wrong driver package, reinstall the OEM driver, and stop Windows from updating drivers automatically.

Customer

Windows 11 Pro. After Patch Tuesday the printer shows Microsoft IPP Class Driver and lost duplex, tray selection, and ink status. It used to say HP OfficeJet Pro. How do I restore the original HP driver?

Technician

Got it. This happens when Windows Update replaces the OEM printer driver with a generic class driver it thinks is “newer.” Result: features vanish, and you may see Driver unavailable / 0x00000057 / 0x000003eb errors. The fix is three parts:
1) Try a quick driver rollback in Device Manager.
2) If rollback is greyed out, remove the Windows-installed driver package via Print Management → All Drivers.
3) Install the official HP/Epson/Canon/Brother full feature driver and block automatic driver updates so it doesn’t happen again.

Customer

Where exactly is the Rollback Driver button? I don’t see it.

Technician

Roll back printer driver in Windows 11/10:
1) Right‑click Start → Device Manager → expand Printers (or Print queues).
2) Double‑click your printer → tab Driver → click Roll Back Driver. Choose a reason like “Previous version performed better.”
3) Reboot and test. If the button is greyed out, Windows doesn’t have the previous package stored — we’ll remove the class driver and reinstall the OEM driver next.

Customer

Rollback is greyed out. How do I remove the bad package and stop the Microsoft IPP Class Driver from coming back?

Technician

Remove Windows Update driver package:
• Press Win+R, type printmanagement.msc → All Printers: delete your queue. Then open All Drivers → right‑click the Microsoft IPP Class Driver (or the wrong OEM version) → Remove Driver Package → choose Remove driver and driver package.
• Restart Windows.

Block automatic driver updates (prevent future replacements):
• Control Panel → System → Advanced system settings → Hardware → Device Installation Settings → choose No (your device might not work as expected).
• Windows Pro/Enterprise: run gpedit.msc → Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Update → enable Do not include drivers with Windows Updates.
Now we’ll reinstall the OEM printer driver.

Customer

Where do I get the correct OEM driver and which package should I install?

Technician

Reinstall the official printer software:
• HP: download the Full Feature Software or HP Smart installer from support.hp.com.
• Epson: get the latest Driver & Utilities Combo Package.
• Canon: install the model‑specific UFR II / Generic Plus driver, not the Windows class driver.
• Brother: use the Full Driver & Software Package or Printer Driver (LPR/BR-Script).
Run the installer, add the printer via USB or IP, and confirm the queue shows your exact model name — not “IPP Class Driver.” Features like duplex, scanner, and tray selection should reappear.

Customer

If Windows Update keeps trying to push a different driver, can I hide it?

Technician

Yes. Go to Settings → Windows Update → Advanced options → Optional updates → Driver updates and uncheck/hide the printer driver that doesn’t match your OEM package. On managed PCs, admins can use WSUS or Group Policy to block that driver entirely.

Customer

What if the queue still says Driver unavailable after reinstall?

Technician

Do a deeper cleanup:
• Remove the queue (Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners).
• Open Print Management → All Drivers and remove leftover packages.
• In an elevated PowerShell: pnputil /enum-drivers to list OEM*.inf and pnputil /delete-driver oemXX.inf /uninstall /force for the conflicting one.
• Reboot, then reinstall the OEM printer driver. This resolves persistent Driver unavailable messages.

Customer

We use multiple brands (HP, Epson, Canon). Any tips so IT doesn’t fight this every month?

Technician

Best practices to prevent printer driver replacement:
• Standardize on OEM drivers and version them.
• In Windows Pro/Enterprise, enable Do not include drivers with Windows Updates (GPO) and deploy drivers via Intune or SCCM.
• Use HP Universal Print Driver (UPD), Canon Generic Plus, or Brother BR-Script where appropriate but lock the builds.
• Document a rollback printer driver procedure and keep installers on a network share.

Customer

Okay, I rolled back and reinstalled the OEM driver. Duplex and scanner are back. Anything else to verify?

Technician

Great. Verify under Printer properties → Device Settings that any options (duplex unit, extra trays) are set to Installed. Print a test page and a two‑page PDF. Finally, confirm Device Installation Settings and Optional updates won’t auto‑replace your driver.

Customer

All good — queue shows HP again and it prints perfectly. Thanks!

Technician

Summary: If a Windows update replaced your printer driver, roll back in Device Manager, remove the unwanted driver package in Print Management, reinstall the OEM printer driver (HP/Epson/Canon/Brother), then block automatic driver updates. Need hands‑on help? Open the chat.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted fix when Windows Update replaced the printer driver (Windows 11/10): try Roll Back Driver in Device Manager. If unavailable, remove the class driver package in Print Management, reinstall the OEM/official driver (HP/Epson/Canon/Brother), and disable automatic driver updates or hide the update under Optional updates.

FAQ

Step‑by‑step (Windows 10/11)

1. Try Device Manager → Roll Back Driver for the printer.
2. If greyed out: remove the queue; open Print Management → All Drivers → Remove driver and driver package.
3. Restart and install the OEM printer driver (HP/Epson/Canon/Brother).
4. Block automatic driver updates (Device Installation Settings / Group Policy) and hide unwanted Optional driver updates.

Step‑by‑step (macOS)

1. Not a Mac issue with Windows Update, but if you dual‑use: remove generic profiles and add the printer with AirPrint or vendor driver.
2. Install the latest macOS package from the manufacturer if features are missing.

Sources

• Microsoft — Troubleshoot printer problems (Windows 10/11)
• Microsoft — Manage Windows Updates (drivers)
• HP — Drivers & Software
• Epson — Drivers & Utilities
• Canon — UFR II / Generic Plus drivers
• Brother — Full Driver & Software Package

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