Epson is a leading brand that manufactures reliable printers, known for their excellent print quality and durability. However, many users experience issues with their Epson printer driver after performing a Windows update. When the printer driver stops working after a system update, it can be frustrating, especially if you rely on the printer for work or other important tasks. This issue can be caused by several factors, including compatibility problems, outdated drivers, or corrupted files resulting from the update.

In this article, we will guide you through the steps to fix the issue of the Epson printer driver not working after a Windows update. We will cover the common causes, troubleshooting steps, and how to resolve the issue so that your Epson printer is functioning again.

Why Does the Epson Printer Driver Stop Working After a Windows Update?

Before addressing how to fix the problem, it’s important to understand why your Epson printer driver may stop working after a Windows update. Some of the most common causes include:

1. Driver Compatibility Issues: The Windows update may have installed new system files that are not compatible with your current Epson printer driver.

2. Outdated Drivers: If the Epson printer driver is outdated, it may not be compatible with the latest version of Windows, causing it to stop working.

3. Corrupted Files: Sometimes, the update process can cause files to become corrupted, including printer drivers.

4. Settings Reset: Windows updates may reset certain system settings, including printer configurations, causing the driver to become disconnected or disabled.

5. Print Spooler Service Issues: Windows updates may affect the print spooler service, which manages the print jobs. If the print spooler isn’t working properly, the Epson printer driver may fail to function.

Now, let’s walk through the steps you can take to fix the issue of your Epson printer driver not working after a Windows update.

How to Fix Epson Printer Driver Not Working After Windows Update?

Step 1: Check Printer Connection

1. Verify Printer is On:

   • First, make sure that your Epson printer is powered on and properly connected to your computer. If it’s a USB printer, check that the USB cable is securely connected. For wireless printers, ensure that both the printer and the computer are on the same Wi-Fi network.

2. Restart the Printer:

   • Sometimes, simply turning the printer off and then on again can resolve minor connection issues caused by the update.

Step 2: Restart the Print Spooler Service

1. Open the Run Dialog:

   • Press Windows + R on your keyboard to open the “Run” dialog box.

2. Type Services.msc:

   • In the Run box, type services.msc and press Enter. This will open the Services window, which contains all system services, including the Print Spooler.

3. Locate the Print Spooler Service:

   • In the Services window, scroll down to find Print Spooler. Right-click on it and select Restart. This will restart the print spooler service and may resolve any printing issues caused by the update.

Step 3: Reinstall the Epson Printer Driver

Sometimes, a Windows update can cause your current printer driver to become corrupted or incompatible. To fix this, you may need to reinstall the Epson printer driver:

1. Uninstall the Current Printer Driver:

   • Open the Control Panel by typing it into the search bar.

   • Go to Devices and Printers, find your Epson printer, right-click on it, and select Remove Device or Uninstall.

   • Next, go to Device Manager (right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager), expand the Printers section, and uninstall any Epson-related drivers.

2. Download the Latest Epson Printer Driver:

   • Visit the official Epson support website and search for your printer model.

   • Make sure to download the latest driver that is compatible with your version of Windows.

   • Once downloaded, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall the driver.

3. Restart the Computer:

   • After reinstalling the driver, restart your computer to ensure that the changes take effect.

Step 4: Update the Epson Printer Driver

If you are using an older version of the Epson printer driver, it may not be compatible with the latest Windows updates. To update your driver:

1. Open Device Manager:

   • Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.

2. Expand the Printers Section:

   • In Device Manager, expand the Printers section and find your Epson printer.

3. Update the Driver:

   • Right-click on your Epson printer and select Update Driver. You can choose to search automatically for updated driver software, and Windows will look for the latest version of the Epson driver.

4. Download the Latest Driver from Epson’s Website:

   • If Windows doesn't find an update, go to the official Epson website and download the latest driver for your printer model. After downloading, install the new driver and restart your computer.

Step 5: Roll Back the Windows Update

If the issue started immediately after a specific Windows update, you might want to consider rolling back the update:

1. Go to Settings:

   • Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.

2. Navigate to Update & Security:

   • In the Settings window, click on Update & Security and then select Windows Update from the left panel.

3. View Update History:

   • Click on View Update History to see the updates that have been installed on your system.

4. Uninstall Updates:

   • Select Uninstall Updates at the top of the page.

   • Find the update that caused the issue (look for updates installed around the time the problem began) and select Uninstall.

5. Restart Your Computer:

   • After uninstalling the update, restart your computer and check if the Epson printer driver starts working.

Step 6: Use the Windows Printer Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in printer troubleshooter that can automatically detect and resolve issues with your printer, including problems caused by a recent update.

1. Open Settings:

   • Press Windows + I to open Settings, and go to Update & Security.

2. Run the Troubleshooter:

   • In the left pane, click on Troubleshoot, and then click on Additional Troubleshooters.

3. Select Printer Troubleshooter:

   • Find and select Printer under the “Get up and running” section, then click Run the Troubleshooter.

   • Windows will automatically search for issues and try to fix them.

4. Follow the On-Screen Instructions:

   • If any issues are detected, the troubleshooter will provide steps to fix them. Follow the prompts to resolve the problem.

Step 7: Perform a System Restore

If none of the above methods work, you can try performing a system restore to revert your computer to a point before the Windows update was installed. This is a more advanced option, so make sure you back up your data first.

1. Search for System Restore:

   • Type System Restore in the search bar and select Create a restore point.

2. Click on System Restore:

   • Under the System Protection tab, click on System Restore.

3. Choose a Restore Point:

   • Select a restore point from before the problematic Windows update was installed.

4. Follow the On-Screen Instructions:

   • Follow the prompts to restore your system to an earlier state.

5. Check Printer After Restoration:

   • Once the system restore is complete, check if the Epson printer is working again.

Conclusion

If your Epson printer driver stops working after a Windows update, it can be due to several causes, including driver compatibility issues, corrupted files, or problems with the print spooler service. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve the issue and get your printer back up and running. From restarting the print spooler service to reinstalling or updating the printer driver, these troubleshooting steps will help ensure your Epson printer works seamlessly with your updated Windows system.