Printer · System

Keep the printer's internal software up to date

Firmware 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.

What you should know

  • Check the current firmware version from the printer's control panel, usually under Settings → Printer Reports or Tools → Printer Information.
  • Use the manufacturer app (HP Smart, Canon PRINT, Epson Smart Panel) or the printer's own menu — look for a Firmware Update, Software Update, or Product Update option — to check for and install a newer version.
  • Alternatively, download the firmware file from the manufacturer's official support site and update through their desktop utility if the printer doesn't check automatically.
  • Keep the printer powered on and connected to Wi-Fi or USB throughout the update, which can take several minutes and may include an automatic restart.
  • Confirm the new version number on the control panel after the update completes to verify it applied successfully.

Never power off or unplug the printer while a firmware update is in progress — an interrupted update can leave the printer's internal software corrupted and require a service repair to recover.

Why it matters

Firmware updates are how manufacturers fix the underlying causes of many recurring Wi-Fi drops, scanning glitches, and cartridge-recognition bugs — a printer that's been misbehaving for months sometimes has a fix already published that simply was never installed.

Best practices

  • Enable automatic firmware updates in the printer's network settings if available, so security and stability fixes apply without manual checking.
  • Check for a firmware update if a problem starts after no change on your end — network settings, a new router, or an OS update on your computer can expose a bug that a firmware patch already addresses.
  • Back up any custom network or fax settings before a major firmware update on office-oriented printers, since some updates reset non-default configuration.

Common problems and fixes

Printer says no update is available but the manufacturer site shows a newer version
Confirm the printer's date and time are set correctly and it has a working internet connection — some printers fail update checks silently when their clock is significantly off.
Printer became unresponsive after a firmware update
Try a full power cycle (unplug for 30 seconds, then plug back in) before contacting manufacturer support — most printers recover on the next boot even if the update seemed to hang.

Tips and tricks

  • Update firmware before troubleshooting an unrelated persistent issue (like intermittent offline errors) — it takes a few minutes and rules out a class of bugs that would otherwise waste time on other fixes.

Frequently asked questions

Will a firmware update erase my printer's Wi-Fi settings?

Usually not — most firmware updates preserve network settings, but it's worth having your Wi-Fi password on hand in case a reconnect is needed afterward.