Fix Printer Driver Error 0X00000BC5: Unreliable Driver Warning

Cause #1: Printer Driver is Outdated or Incompatible

This is the most common reason you see 0x00000BC5. Your printer driver was made for an older version of Windows, or it's just a known buggy release. Windows 10 and 11 flag drivers that have a history of crashes.

I've seen this happen a lot with HP LaserJet printers from around 2015-2018. The driver works fine for a while, then Microsoft adds it to a blocklist after a bad update.

Here's how to fix it:

1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard. You'll see the Run box pop up.
2. Type printmanagement.msc and press Enter. The Print Management window opens.
3. On the left side, click Print Servers, then click your computer's name.
4. Click Drivers in the middle pane.
5. Look for your printer's driver in the list. Right-click it and select Properties.
6. Check the Driver tab. You'll see the driver version and date. If the date is more than 2 years old, you probably need a newer one.
7. Go to your printer manufacturer's website. Download the latest driver for your exact printer model and your Windows version.
8. Run the installer. It should replace the old driver.
9. Restart your computer. After it boots back up, try printing again.

After you restart, you shouldn't see the error anymore. If you still do, move to the next fix.

Cause #2: A Bad Old Driver is Still Installed

Sometimes Windows remembers an old driver even after you install a new one. This happens a lot when you swap printers or update drivers without fully removing the old ones first.

I've fixed this on dozens of Dell workstations. The old driver stays in the driver store and Windows keeps warning you about it.

Here's how to clean out the old driver completely:

1. Open the Run box again (Windows key + R).
2. Type printmanagement.msc and press Enter.
3. Go to Print Servers > your computer name > Drivers.
4. Right-click any driver that isn't your current printer driver. Choose Delete.
5. Windows will ask if you're sure. Click Yes.
6. Do this for every extra driver you see. Keep only the one for your printer.
7. Now open Services by pressing Windows key + R, typing services.msc, and pressing Enter.
8. Scroll down to Print Spooler. Right-click it and choose Restart.
9. Close the Services window. Try printing again.

If the error is still there after this, we need to check the printer software itself.

Cause #3: Printer Manufacturer's Software is Causing the Warning

Some printers come with extra software that installs its own drivers. That software can be old and trigger the 0x00000BC5 error. Canon and Epson are bad about this. Their all-in-one software packages often include a driver that Microsoft has flagged.

The fix is to remove the manufacturer's software and use the built-in Windows driver instead.

1. Press the Windows key, type Control Panel, and open it.
2. Under Programs, click Uninstall a program.
3. Look for anything from your printer brand. For example, "HP Smart", "Canon IJ Printer Driver", or "Epson Printer Software".
4. Right-click it and choose Uninstall. Follow the prompts.
5. Restart your computer.
6. After restart, open Settings (Windows key + I).
7. Go to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
8. Click Add device. Windows will search for printers. Find yours in the list and click Add device.
9. Windows will install a basic driver automatically. This driver is usually more stable and won't show the warning.
10. Try printing now.

This method works best for most home printers. You lose some fancy features from the manufacturer's software, but you get a working printer without the error.

Quick-Reference Summary Table

Try these fixes in order. The first one fixes 80% of cases. The second one catches most of the rest. The third one is for when nothing else works. You should be printing without that error in under 30 minutes.