How to Install and Update Printer Drivers Safely

In short

This tutorial shows you how to install printer drivers safely and keep them up to date. In most cases you don’t need to download anything: Windows and macOS install a working driver as soon as you add the printer. When you do need the full driver, for scanning, special paper settings or an older model, get it only from the printer maker’s official support website or from Windows Update. Never use “driver download” sites or driver-updater tools.

Before you start

A printer driver translates what you print into instructions your particular printer understands. Modern printers increasingly use standard “driverless” printing, such as AirPrint on Apple devices and the Mopria standard on Windows and Android, so the built-in driver is often all you need.

You may want the maker’s full driver package when:

• Windows shows the printer as “Driver unavailable”.
• You need features the basic driver lacks, such as scanning from the computer, borderless photos or a specific paper tray.
• The printer is an older model that the built-in drivers don’t recognize.

Find your exact model name before you start. “HP printer” or “Epson inkjet” isn’t enough; you need the full model name or number, which is printed on the printer and in its setup leaflet.

Key terms

• Printer driver: software that lets your computer communicate with a specific printer model.
• Full driver package: the maker’s download that includes the driver plus extras such as scanning software and maintenance tools.
• Driverless printing: printing using a standard such as AirPrint or Mopria, where the computer needs no model-specific driver.
• Device Manager: a Windows tool that lists hardware and lets you update or remove drivers.
• Administrator account: a computer account allowed to install software and drivers.

Lesson: install the driver the right way

Option 1: let Windows install it automatically

1. Connect the printer by Wi-Fi or USB and switch it on.
2. Open Settings. In Windows 11, go to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners; in Windows 10, Devices > Printers & scanners.
3. Select Add device (Windows 11) or Add a printer or scanner (Windows 10) and choose your printer.
4. Wait while Windows downloads and installs the driver. Keep the computer connected to the internet.

Checkpoint: the printer appears in the list, and its page doesn’t say “Driver unavailable”. If it does, continue with Option 3.

Option 2: add the printer on a Mac

1. Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners and click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax.
2. Select your printer. Next to Use, choose AirPrint if it is offered, because it needs no extra download.
3. Click Add. If macOS offers to download software for the printer, it comes from Apple’s software update service and is safe to accept.

Option 3: download the official driver from the maker

1. In your web browser, type the address of the printer maker’s website yourself, or use the support link in our Official documentation list. Don’t trust ads at the top of search results that promise “free driver downloads”.
2. Go to the support or “Software and drivers” section and enter your exact model.
3. Check that the site has detected your operating system correctly, for example Windows 11 64-bit or macOS. Change it if needed.
4. Download the recommended full driver or “full software” package.
5. Open the downloaded file. On Windows, check that the permission prompt names the printer maker as the publisher before selecting Yes.
6. Follow the installer. Choose your connection type (wireless or USB) when asked, and decline optional extras you don’t want.

Checkpoint: after restarting the computer, the printer shows in Printers & scanners with its full model name.

Lesson: update or reinstall a driver

1. Run Windows Update first. Open Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates. Printer drivers sometimes arrive as optional updates: look in Advanced options > Optional updates and install any listed for your printer.
2. Check the maker’s support page for a newer driver for your model and download it as in Option 3.
3. To reinstall cleanly, first remove the printer: in Printers & scanners, select it and choose Remove. Restart the computer.
4. Add the printer again, either through Add device or by running the maker’s installer.

If the printer then shows offline or won’t print, work through that tutorial next.

Check that it worked

Print a test page: in Windows, select the printer in Printers & scanners and choose Print a test page; on a Mac, print a short document. Then open the print dialog in any program and check that your printer’s options, such as paper type and quality, are available.

If something goes wrong

• ”Driver unavailable” in Windows: remove the printer, restart, run Windows Update including optional updates, then add the printer again or install the maker’s full package.
• The installer can’t find the printer: confirm the printer and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network, or try a different USB port, then choose the connection type again in the installer.
• The maker has no driver for your Windows or macOS version: try adding the printer with the built-in driverless option first. If it still isn’t supported, the maker’s support pages may list compatible alternatives.
• The installer asks you to turn off security protection: stop. Genuine printer installers don’t need that. Check that you downloaded the file from the maker’s own website.
• A pop-up offers to “scan for outdated drivers”: close it. These tools are unnecessary and some install unwanted software.

For anything specific to your model, use the maker’s support pages, such as those for Brother, HP, Epson or Canon printers. You can also learn more about safe downloads in our tutorial on installing software safely.

FAQ

Do I need to install a driver for a new printer?

Often not. Windows and macOS install a basic driver automatically when you add most recent printers. Install the maker’s full package only if you need extra features or the printer isn’t recognized.

Is it safe to download printer drivers from driver websites?

Only use the printer maker’s official website, Windows Update or your Mac’s built-in software update. Third-party driver sites and driver-updater programs can install the wrong driver or bundle unwanted software.

How do I know if my printer driver is out of date?

Compare the driver version on the maker’s support page with the one installed, or simply run Windows Update and check optional updates. If printing works well, you don’t need to update just because a newer version exists.

Why did my printer stop working after a Windows update?

Occasionally an update replaces or conflicts with a driver. Removing the printer, restarting and adding it again usually fixes it. If not, install the latest driver from the maker’s site.