How to Install a Printer Driver Safely

When this guide applies

• You are adding a printer and the computer cannot find a suitable driver.
• The printer prints, but options such as duplex printing, paper trays or photo settings are missing.
• Windows or macOS reports a driver problem, or the printer shows as “Driver is unavailable”.
• Printing stopped working after an operating-system update.

Why a driver may be missing or wrong

01No built-in driver for your model

Some printers, especially older or specialist models, are not covered by the generic drivers included with the operating system.

02A generic driver is in use

Basic printing works, but model-specific features such as tray selection or advanced quality settings are not available.

03Damaged or outdated driver

An update, an interrupted installation or old leftover software can leave the driver in a broken state.

04Wrong driver selected

A driver for a similar but different model may install without errors and still print incorrectly or not at all.

1. Check whether you need a driver at all

1. Try adding the printer normally

   Follow our guide to adding a printer to a computer first. Windows and macOS often find and install a suitable driver automatically, especially for network printers.

2. Find the exact model number

   Look on the front or top of the printer, or on the label on the back or underneath. You need the full model number, not just the series name, to choose the right driver.

3. Check which operating system you have

   On Windows, open Settings → System → About. On a Mac, choose Apple menu → About This Mac. Note the version, because drivers are usually listed per operating system.

2. Get the driver from an official source

1. Use Windows Update or the Mac’s built-in software

   On Windows, optional driver updates can appear under Settings → Windows Update → Advanced options → Optional updates. On a Mac, printer software is often downloaded automatically when you add the printer.

2. Use the manufacturer’s support website

   Go to the manufacturer’s official website directly (type the address yourself rather than following an advert), open the support or drivers section and enter your exact model number. Our brand pages list where each major manufacturer’s official support is.

3. Choose the right package

   Pick the download that matches your operating system and version. Some manufacturers offer a full software package and a smaller “basic driver”; the basic driver is often enough for everyday printing.

3. Install the driver

1. Close other programs and run the installer

   Open the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions. Some installers ask how the printer is connected (USB, network or wireless). Only connect a USB cable when the installer tells you to, if it gives that instruction.

2. Add the printer if the installer does not

   If the printer does not appear afterwards, add it from Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners on Windows or System Settings → Printers & Scanners on a Mac, and choose the newly installed driver when asked.

3. Print a test page

   Confirm everything works by printing a test page.

4. Reinstall a driver that has stopped working

1. Remove the printer

   Remove the printer from Printers & scanners (Windows) or Printers & Scanners (Mac). If the manufacturer provides an uninstaller, run it as well.

2. Restart the computer

   A restart clears drivers and print services that are still loaded in memory.

3. Install the current driver and add the printer again

   Download the latest driver for your operating system from the official source and repeat the installation steps above.

If it still isn’t working

Try the operating system’s own driver. If the manufacturer’s full software package causes problems, removing it and letting Windows or macOS install its built-in driver can be more reliable for basic printing.

Check for very old models. Manufacturers sometimes stop releasing drivers for older printers. Their support pages usually say which operating systems a model supports.

Still stuck? Contact the manufacturer through its official website. See our printer not printing guide for other causes.

Frequently asked questions