Fixed: Printer Displayed as Unspecified Device on Windows 10

Printers are an essential component in this modern world. Printers have been a great asset and have been instrumental in the development of the modern world. Though many documents are circulated as softcopies printed documents have not lost their value. Well, this makes printers significant. Most all OSes provide printer compatibility features that allow users to use printers with ease. With recent advancements, printers can be operated via Wi-Fi and other wireless communications channels so, portable devices like laptops and smartphones can connect to the printer and access the features with ease. So, recently some Windows 10 users have been facing issues with connecting with their printer devices. The computer is unable to identify the printer and often displays the printer as an unspecified device. Here, in this article, we will discuss how to fix the issue with the printer and access it with ease.

Windows computers and printers have had a good rapport for many years, there are hundreds of printer manufacturers, who develop firmware and software to suit Windows OS and Microsoft brings in good printer compatible features to their Windows OSes. Well, even with such care, printers on Windows computers can cause trouble, and sometimes the printer will be undetected by the computer. Well, this is a very simple error and can be sorted out using some simple fixes.

So, recently, some Windows 10 users have reported an error with the printer on Windows 10. The issue is that the printer connected to the computer is displayed as an “unspecified device”. The issue is generally caused by some faulty system components that are used to detect and manage printer devices on Windows 10. If you are facing the issue, here are the fixes, that you can try and fix the issue on your computer. So, to make things simple, we have put up the fixes down below, so, hop on and try out them.

Fix the issue with the Printer “unspecified device error” on Windows 10

So, now, let’s dive into learning the methods to fix the printer device displayed as an “unspecified device” on Windows 10. Here are 4 different methods, that you can try out and work with.

SO, to begin with, check for the cables and re-plug them properly, and check whether the printer is turned on. Check for loose contacts and fix them. So, this may sound pretty simple but a simple loose connection will cause an error.

SO, once you make sure that the printer and the computer are properly connected, you can dive into trying out the methods below.

Method 1: Run the Dedicated Troubleshooter

Windows 10 comes with dedicated troubleshooters. Well, in the settings you can find the troubleshooter dedicated to printers. You can use it and troubleshoot the issue with ease.

To troubleshoot the issue with the printer, open the Settings application by pressing the Windows and the I key on the keyboard.
Now, in the settings application, open the updates and security tab.
Here, find the troubleshooters option, click on it and open it.
Now, click on the additional troubleshooters option to find all the dedicated troubleshooters.
Here, you will find the printers option.
Click on the printers option and then click on the run the troubleshooter.
The troubleshooter will run and will fix the issue.
Once the troubleshooting is done, you can go back to the devices and printers and then check whether the printer is being recognized.

The troubleshooter will work sometimes but will not help the other times, so don’t worry, if the troubleshooter didn’t fix the issue for you, you can try out other methods mentioned here.

Method 2: Update The Drivers

Drivers are a major component in Windows OSes that enables communication between the device and the computer. It’s like a bridge and an issue with the drivers will cause errors in using the device on the compute. Updating the drivers is one fix for rectifying the faulty driver software.

To update the printer’s driver software, open the search bar and then search for device manager.
Here, you will find all the devices on the computer listed.
Here, go to the view option, click on it and from the drop-down menu select the option “show hidden devices”.
Now, all the hidden devices will be displayed.
Now, find the printer’s option and then expand it to find the printer.
Now, right-click on the printer option and then select update drivers.
Now, in the wizard, select the “Search automatically for drivers” option.
The update process will be done if the computer finds any new updates on the internet.
Once the update is done, restart the computer and try using the printer.

Method 3: Remove and Re-install the Printer

Reinstalling the printer will help fix a faulty driver.

To remove and reinstall the printer, open the device manager.
Here, go to the view option and then select the “show hidden devices”.
Now, from the list below, find the printer driver.
Right-click on the printer device and then select the uninstall the device option.
Once done, unplug the plug of the printer.
Now, exit the device manager and then go to the settings application.
Here, uninstall all associated applications from the computer.
Now, go to the control panel.
Here, select the devices and printer option.
Here, remove the printer device.
Now, replug the printer you should install the setup from the printer’s manufacturers to set up the printer and then the computer will try to recognize the printer.