My windows 11 will not let me download a printer driver. And does not have a choose where to get app in advanced settings

Windows 11 pro

Been working on this issue for about 6 hours. Same issue as everyone else in this community blog. Bought a brand new Epson ET-3843, because I thought my old Epson ET-4850 had bit the dust after less than three years. It wasn't. I went ahead and upgraded to Windows 11 about a month ago and had problems ever since with my Epson ET-4850, even though I installed a new driver from Epson's website. Called Epson's service center. They went through several potential scenarios for a fix, but to no avail. Finally, they told me that my printer would need to be taken to a service center for repair, or that I would need to get a new printer. So, I chose to purchase a new ET-3843. Well guess what? I have run through the installation so many times that I'm sick of it. Every time it looks like I have the new printer installed, I go to print out something from Word, but when I try to add a new printer, it says "No driver available. Well, if the manufacturer, Epson doesn't have a usable driver, and Windows doesn't have a usable driver, then Who the Heck Does. I'm going to call Epson's Customer Service tomorrow, but I almost guarantee they will take me through the same steps they did with my old ET-4850, and there won't be a fix. Does HPs new Smart Tank printers have this same issue with the new Windows 11 OS? I am now beginning to understand why so many users Hate the new Windows 11 OS!

I feel ya sister. Stay strong

Thank you for responding, and yes it is SOOO frustrating! Almost as much as having to recreate a new password everytime I try to login.

There’s a disconnect somewhere, whether I’ve caused it or not, I’m beginning to hate having to go online and/or print anything.

Anyway, again thank you?? Hope you find a resolution 🤗

Linda

Reading up on the Microsoft 11 release, there is a major push to release a 'solid' OS that is not susceptible to security breaches. And apparently, printer drivers are the number one entry point for hacking (and no I don't understand how the drivers are not bulletproof). So this means, I believe, the printer manufacturers have to adhere to some uSoft printer driver protocol, and that uSoft 11 has the drivers the manufacturers have to design to. Hence allowing you or me to download a much-needed printer driver is not allowed (cuz printer drivers are BAD). Now what the hell one is supposed to do to get your system that you've dutifully upgraded to 11 to play with your new printer does not seem to interest uSoft...it feels like you're on your own to figure this out; purchase a new printer that is sold as Microsoft 11 compatible, move over to a different OS, throw your uSoft laptop-desktop into the trash and buy a Mac, or ??? In our house, we now have a newish printer that has been reboxed and placed into storage. The uSoft laptop running 11 now talks to the Mac's networked printer. Essentially we trashed one printer and are sharing another (which thank the Gods talks to 11 via the network).

These **** refuse to answer the question and the "recommended software/drivers" from the MS Store are fraught with ads and pop ups. This is infuriating.