Printer Displays as Unspecified Device in Windows 7 Devices and Printers
Article ID: ART132191 | Date published: 05/12/2015 | Date last updated: 02/18/2020
 

Description

Use this fix when your printer displays as an Unspecified Device in Windows 7 settings for Devices and Printers.

Solution

Windows Update will automatically search for the most updated drivers. If the computer is not connected to the Internet or Windows Update is not set correctly, the printer driver will not be installed.

Follow these steps to install the printer driver on your computer.



Install Windows Update

  1. Confirm your computer is connected to the Internet.

  2. Confirm that Windows Update is set to install updates automatically, and that Device Installations settings are set to install drivers automatically.

    Click here for instructions on how to check Windows Update Settings. Once you've verified Windows Update and Device Installations are set to install drivers automatically, proceed to step 3.

  3. Connect your printer to your computer, then turn the device ON.

  4. Click Start on your computer, then select Devices and Printers.

  5. Right-click on the printer's icon that did not install correctly, then select Troubleshoot.

    Image of "Unspecified" screen with Troubleshoot highlighted in the menu options

  6. After you confirm that the printer driver for the device you want to use is not installed, select Apply this fix.

Image of Devices and Printers screen with Apply this fix highlighted

  1. If you're not seeing your printer driver installed now, please double-check your Windows Update Settings in step 2 above.

Note For more information on Device Installation, search the Canon Knowledge Base.


Check Windows Update Settings

  1. Click the Start button.

  2. Type windows update into the Search box, and then press the Enter key on your keyboard.

    Image of Start screen with windows update typed in the Search box

  3. Click Change settings.
    Image of Control Panel Home screen with Change settings highlighted

  4. If not already selected, select Install updates automatically from the Important updates drop-down menu.
    Image of Choose how Windows can install updates screen with Install updates automatically (recommended) highlighted

  5. Click OK at the bottom of the screen to register the change.

  6. Click the Start button again.

  7. Select Control Panel.

  8. Select System and Security, then click on System.

  9. Click Advanced System Settings.
    Image of Control Panel Home screen with Advanced system settings highlighted

  10. Select the Hardware tab, then click Device Installation Settings button.
    Image of System Properties screen with Device Installation Settings highlighted

  11. Select Yes, do this automatically, then click OK.

Image of Device Installation Settings screen with Yes, do this automatically (recommended) highlighted

  1. Next, click here to go back to step 3 in the previous instructions to complete the steps to install the printer driver on your computer. 

SIMS Doc Id

0