Windows 11 not recognizing Epson printer; possible driver signature issue.

Thank you for your response and detailed troubleshooting steps.

I followed all the steps provided, but unfortunately the issue still persists. I continue to receive the same digital signature error when attempting to install the Epson ET-15000 driver.

Here are the additional details and clarifications:

• I tested both connection methods: USB and Wi-Fi. The issue occurs in both cases.
• After the failed installation, the printer appears under "Print queues" with a generic driver, not under "Other devices".
• I removed the printer from Settings and deleted all Epson and ET-15000 related entries.
• I also uninstalled and removed all related drivers to ensure a clean state.

Additional notes:

• I attempted installation while completely offline (Wi-Fi disabled), but Windows still blocks the driver with the same signature error.
• The compatibility mode option for Windows 10 is not available on my system. The highest available option is Windows 8.
• The "printmanagement.msc" tool is not available on my system (likely due to Windows 11 Home edition).
• My Windows version is: Windows 11 Home (Build 26100, ge_release 240331-1435)

At this point, it appears that Windows is consistently rejecting the driver due to a signature validation issue, even when driver signature enforcement is disabled.

Could you please advise on the following:

• Is there a properly signed or updated driver package available for this printer compatible with my Windows build?
• Is there an alternative installation method (e.g., INF-based manual installation) that bypasses this issue?
• Are there known compatibility issues with this specific Windows build?

I would appreciate your assistance, as I urgently need to get this printer working correctly with Epson software.

Thank you for your support.

Best regards, Moderator note: PII removed

Welcome Richard E,

I understand how frustrating it can be when Windows 11 is blocking the Epson ET‑15000 driver due to a digital signature issue and is installing a generic driver instead, causing the printer not to work correctly with Epson software. 

Before we continue, could you please confirm: 

• Are you installing the driver while the printer is connected by USB, or over Wi‑Fi only? 
• After the failed install, does the printer appear under Print queues or under Other devices in Device Manager? 

In the meantime, you can follow the steps below to troubleshoot the issue:  

Step 1: Remove the printer from Windows  

• Open Settings > Bluetooth and devices 
• Select Printers and scanners 
• Select EPSON ET‑15000 and choose Remove device 
• Remove any additional Epson or generic printer entries 

Step 2: Remove old Epson drivers  

• Press Windows + R > type printmanagement.msc and press Enter 
• Expand Drivers 
• Remove all Epson and ET‑15000 related drivers 
• Restart the PC 

Step 3: Prevent Windows from auto‑installing a generic driver  

• Disconnect the PC from the internet (turn off Wi‑Fi or unplug Ethernet) 
• Keep the printer powered on but not connected to the PC 

Step 4: Install the Epson driver manually  

• Right‑click ET15000_Lite_NA.exe 
• Select Properties 
• Open the Compatibility tab 
• Enable compatibility mode for Windows 10 
• Select Run this program as administrator 
• Start the installer 

Step 5: Finalize setup  

• Restart the PC 
• Reconnect to the internet 
• Open Epson software and verify the printer is detected correctly 

I hope this information helps resolve your issue. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me again in this thread. 

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