Windows 10: Unable to install a driver that works for my Epson C88 printer on Windows 11

I am trying to install my Epson Stylus C88 printer on my HP Zbook running Windows 11. I have not gotten it to work. I try to print a page and nothing happens. Any ideas on what to try. I ran the troubleshooter several times with no results.

:)

 

Windows will not allow install of Epson c88+

Windows will not allow my Epson c88+ to install. When I try to install the Epson driver (the windows driver is non-functional), windows takes over and installs it as a generic usb printer and the Epson install won't finish. Generic usb printer is listed in "Devices and Printers" but there are no drivers installed and it's not listed as an option when I try to print. It works fine on my old computer which is also running windows 10.

 

Epson C88+ Driver Lost After Installing Window 10 Anniversary Update

I searched on the Epson website and found the printer under Drivers & Downloads, but it said “Windows 10 drivers for this product are installed automatically when you power-on and connect your printer to your Windows 10 computer.” Big help.

I tried three things:

1. In Device manager I found “EPSONStylus C88” with a question mark by it under “Other devices.”

I right clicked and selected “update driver software.” I got an error message:

Windows encountered a problem installing the driver software for your device

Windows found driver software for your device but encountered an error while attempting to install it

Epson Stylus C88 series (M)

unable to find a core driver package that is required by the printer driver package

2. Then in Device manager again I uninstalled the Epson Stylus C88 (M) driver. I rebooted the computer and “EPSONStylus C88” was back under “Other devices.” I installed the driver but got the same error message as above.

3. I went through the steps for “How to install Epson Printers and Scanners Windows 10” here:

Redirecting

I found Epson Stylus C88 and clicked on “Windows Update.” The screen said: “Windows is updating the list of printers. This might take a few minutes.” After a few minutes is said: “no device found”

I found lots of sites for Hardware ID “USBPRINT\EPSONStylus_C885E4D” and “EPSONStylus_C885E4D,” but wouldn't trust any of them.

 

Windows 10 cannot find my Epson Stylus C88+ printer

Naveet,

Thank you for the suggestions. Unfortunately, I have not yet been successful. The newest driver for the Epson C88+ printer that can be installed manually is a Windows XP version. I downloaded it as suggested, did the compatibility mode adjustment, and
tried to install the driver.

After several various tries, I found the C88+ had been installed in "other devices." Peering into the various properties, I found one note that said it required further installation, and another note saying it did not have a digital signature.

I continue to have a generic "USB Printer" shown in the list of printers in the "Devices and Printers" list, even though I removed it once.

I do not claim to be an IT specialist, but I've been messing with PC's since they came out in 1981. If the Windows 10 Support chart says that Windows 10 supports this printer, and if Epson says this printer is included in Windows 10 and the driver should
load automatically, is it not reasonable to suggest that there is some kind of bug way deep inside Windows that is preventing it from carrying the process to completion?

I would appreciate further investigation, particularly since it appears that Microsoft did not intend to abandon this printer due to its age.

Stephen Lowens