How to Fix Windows can’t install the kernel-mode print driver

Get ready to learn How to Fix Windows can't install the kernel-mode print driver, because today we will explain what it is that you need.

The addition of a printer to a Windows PC could be a pain if you keep getting the message "Windows can't install the kernel-mode print driver." That simply means the driver that the manufacturer of the printer supplied cannot be installed on your computer. In this essay, we discuss such a problem and seek solutions.

Problem of Driver Installation

Cannot install the kernel-mode print driver in Windows

Contact the manufacturer for the driver compatible with your version of Windows.

Can't install kernel-mode print driver in Windows

If you are facing an issue in installing a printer's Kernel-mode print driver on Windows, follow the given: 

Remove and then reconnect the Pinter. 

Restart the Print Spooler.

Turn off driver installation blocking policy.

Update printer driver software,

Run the diagnostics for the printer

Configure printer and point settings

This troubleshooting guide gets us underway.

1] Unplug and Reconnect the Printer

Since kernel mode drivers operate directly with both the hardware and the software of the system, Windows restricts or blocks the usability of kernel mode drivers in case of any system instability or other security vulnerabilities. If this is the case, then try unplugging the printer and then plug it again, refreshing the connection. That will force Windows to update to a better driver or fix any short-lived problems between the computer and the printer. Give this a shot; if this doesn't solve the problem, then head over to the next one.

2] Restart the Print Spooler service

If the Print Spooler gets corrupted or overwhelmed with data, then it cannot install drivers since this service is responsible for print job management. In such a case, just restarting this service resets any hung or incomplete print jobs. For doing so, one needs to follow these steps:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, then upon opening, click on the More details option that appears at the bottom to view all tabs.

Locate the Print Spooler service in the Services tab, then scroll to select it. 

Right-click on it, then click the Restart option that appears.

3] Disable blocking policy for installation of drivers

The Blocking Policy allows Microsoft to block drivers that may crash or attack a system from executing since kernel-mode drivers run at a high privilege level in the operating system. If this happens to you, here is how you can disable the blocking policy to fix the problem.

If you want, you can open the Group Policy Editor from the Run dialog by hitting Win + R. Then just type gpedit.msc and hit OK. 

Open the menu Local Computer Policy and head to the following location:Printers and Computer Settings Administrative Templates 

Here in the right panel, you will see a listing to disable the installation of printers using kernel-mode drivers. Click on it.

Click on the Disabled option to turn off the feature; then click Apply, confirm it by clicking OK, and close the Group Policy Editor. 

Open up Command Prompt: Press the search box, type in cmd, then opt for Run as administrator.

Try running "gpupdate" first; if that doesn't work, try running "gpudate/force."

Then, you can close the Command Prompt to check if the software has installed successfully or not.

4] Update of the Printer driver

The driver should be updated according to the demand created through the operating system for keeping the conflict away that is caused through outdated or incompatible drivers, which happen to be the prime reason.

You have two ways out, either go to the official website of the driver and download the latest version of the driver or via a free driver update program. 

Finally make sure the driver install goes successful. If not then have a look at another solution.

5] Run Printer Troubleshooter

If the problem persists even after further research, then the Printer troubleshooter can help you out. To do this, open the Get Help app, input the problem you are facing, and proceed with the proffered fix.

Let the scan complete the detection of problems after which you choose any one of them to be fixed by following the on-screen tutorial.

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We are going to modify some of the settings of the Point and Print restrictions to control, for the most part, which print drivers can be installed on client machines. 

After opening File Explorer, we navigate to the following path: Path: C:Windowssystem32spooldrivers 

In order to fix broken printer drivers, in the drivers folder, we rename the following folders: W32, x86, and X64 compilations

Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box. To open Group Policy Editor, you will write gpedit.msc. Now, you need to expand the Local Computer Policy. 

The Point and Printer restrictions will fall under the category mentioned below; to open it, all you need to do is simply double-click on it:Administrative templates for computer configurationDocument printers 

Now click the Enabled menu to disable the following entries:

Only from these servers can users reference and print.

Only such machines in the forests of the users can they point to and print to.

Go to Security Prompts, then, from the drop-down menu, select "Do not show warning or elevation prompt" to install drivers for a new connection.

Click on Apply, followed by Ok to finish. After that repeat the procedure under the When updating driver for an existing connection drop-down selection.  

Next, open up Command Prompt as administrator after closing Group Policy Editor. 

Once in the command prompt, type gpudate. 

After the command finishes check and see if the problem has been fixed.

That would be all to know about How to Fix Windows can't install kernel-mode print driver. Now all that remains to be said is that we wish, at one point or another, to have been helpful.