Printer · Apps
Download and install the correct software for your printer model
Drivers translate print and scan commands from your computer into instructions your printer understands. Installing the manufacturer's full driver and utility package (rather than relying on a generic OS driver) unlocks features like ink monitoring, borderless printing, and scanning.
What you should know
- Identify the exact printer model number, usually printed on the front panel or inside the paper tray cover.
- Go to the manufacturer's official support site (support.hp.com, canon.com/support, epson.com/support, or similar), search the model number, and download the recommended full driver/software package for your OS version.
- Run the installer and choose a network or USB connection type when prompted, matching however the printer is actually connected.
- Windows: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners to confirm the new driver-based printer entry appears and set it as default if desired.
- macOS: System Settings → Printers & Scanners — remove any generic-driver entry for the printer first, then re-add it so it picks up the newly installed full driver.
Only download drivers from the manufacturer's official support site — third-party "driver update" utilities frequently bundle unwanted software and are a common source of malware on printer-related searches.
Why it matters
An outdated or generic driver is behind many everyday printing complaints — missing settings, poor color accuracy, slow print speed, or scanning simply not working — and reinstalling the correct full driver resolves most of them without any hardware troubleshooting.
Best practices
- Uninstall old or duplicate driver entries for the same printer before installing a new one to avoid confusing the OS about which queue to send jobs to.
- Reinstall the driver after a major OS upgrade (a new Windows or macOS version) even if the printer still appears to work, since some features can silently stop functioning.
- Keep the manufacturer's printer utility app installed even after setup — it's usually the only place to check ink levels and run alignment or cleaning tools.
Common problems and fixes
- Print jobs get stuck in the queue and never print
- Remove the printer entirely from Printers & Scanners, restart the print spooler service (Windows) or restart the Mac, then re-add the printer with a freshly downloaded driver.
- Installer can't find the printer on the network
- Confirm the printer is already connected to Wi-Fi (print a network configuration page) before running the driver installer, since most installers search the local network for it during setup.
Tips and tricks
- Search the exact model number rather than the general product line — many printer families (like a numbered series) have per-model driver packages that aren't interchangeable.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a driver if I only print from my phone?
No — mobile printing (AirPrint, Mopria, or a manufacturer app) talks to the printer directly over the network without a traditional desktop driver, though the printer still needs to be on the same Wi-Fi network.
Related settings
- Set Up Wi-Fi PrintingMost consumer printers made in the last decade support connecting directly to your wireless network, either through the printer's own touchscreen menu, a WPS button, or a manufacturer companion app like HP Smart, Canon PRINT, or Epson Smart Panel. Once connected, any device on the same network can print without a cable.
- Connect via USB CableA wired USB connection is the simplest and most reliable way to connect a printer to a single computer, with no network configuration involved. Most printers use a USB-B (square) port on the printer end and USB-A or USB-C on the computer end.
- Update Printer FirmwareFirmware is the software running inside the printer itself, separate from the driver installed on your computer. Manufacturers periodically release firmware updates to fix bugs, improve Wi-Fi reliability, patch security issues, and occasionally add new features.