What you need to do before you start

A printer driver is software that lets your computer talk to your printer. Without it, your computer sees the printer as a device but cannot send print jobs to it. Before you install, you need three things: the printer model number, a USB cable or network connection, and either the driver disc that came with the printer or the ability to download the driver from the manufacturer's website.

The printer model number is usually on a sticker on the back or bottom of the printer. Write it down — you will need it to find the correct driver. If you have lost the original disc, do not buy a new one. Every printer manufacturer offers free driver downloads on their support website, and downloading is faster than using a disc anyway.

Plug in the printer and turn it on before you begin the installation. If you are using a USB cable, connect it now. If the printer is on your network, make sure it is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer. Do not install the driver software until the printer is physically ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Find your printer model number on the device itself, then go to the manufacturer's website and download the driver for your operating system.
  • On Windows, run the downloaded installer file and follow the on-screen prompts, then restart your computer when prompted.
  • On Mac, download the driver, open the installer package, and complete the setup wizard — most drivers install automatically after that.
  • After installation, print a test page from your computer's printer settings to confirm the driver is working.
  • If installation fails, restart your computer and try again, or check the manufacturer's support page for troubleshooting steps specific to your model.

Installing a printer driver on Windows

Go to the manufacturer's website — common ones are hp.com, canon.com, epson.com, and brother.com. Look for a "Support" or "Drivers" link, usually at the bottom of the page. Enter your printer model number in the search box. The website will show you a list of drivers. Select the one labeled for Windows and your version of Windows (Windows 10, Windows 11, etc.). Click the download button.

Once the file downloads, open your Downloads folder and double-click the installer file. It usually has a name like "PrinterName_Driver_Setup.exe". A window will open asking if you want to allow the program to make changes to your device. Click "Yes". The installer will then guide you through a series of screens. You can usually just click "Next" or "Install" on each one unless the installer asks you to choose between USB or network connection — select whichever matches how your printer is connected.

When the installation finishes, the installer will ask you to restart your computer. Do this even if you do not think you need to. Restart ensures the driver loads correctly. After your computer restarts, the driver is installed and ready to use.

Installing a printer driver on Mac

Open a web browser and go to the manufacturer's website. Find the Support or Drivers section and search for your printer model. Look for a driver labeled for Mac, and note whether it specifies Intel or Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3 chips). If you are not sure which Mac you have, click the Apple menu in the top left, select "About This Mac", and look at the "Chip" line. Download the correct version.

The downloaded file is usually a .dmg file (disk image). Double-click it to open it. Inside you will see an installer package, usually with a name like "PrinterName.pkg" or a folder containing one. Double-click the installer package. Your Mac will ask for your password — this is normal and required. Enter your password and click "Install" or "Continue" as prompted.

Most Mac printer drivers install automatically after you complete the setup wizard. You do not need to restart, though some drivers may ask you to. Once installation is done, the driver is active. You can check by going to System Settings, clicking "Printers & Scanners" on the left, and looking for your printer in the list.

Using a printer disc if you have one

If you have the original installation disc, insert it into your computer's disc drive. On Windows, the installer should start automatically. If it does not, open File Explorer, find the disc drive, and double-click the setup file. On Mac, the disc will appear on your desktop. Double-click it to open it, then find and double-click the installer package inside.

Follow the same steps as downloading — the installer will guide you through the process. When finished, restart your computer. Downloading from the manufacturer's website is usually faster and gives you a more recent version of the driver, so use the disc only if you do not have internet access or prefer not to download.

Testing the printer after installation

After the driver installs and your computer restarts, print a test page to confirm everything works. On Windows, go to Settings, click "Devices", then "Printers & Scanners". Find your printer in the list, click it, and click "Print a test page". On Mac, go to System Settings, click "Printers & Scanners", select your printer, and click "Print Test Page".

If the test page prints, the driver is working correctly. If nothing happens, check that the printer is turned on and connected. If the printer is on and connected but still does not print, restart your computer and try again. If it still fails, go to the manufacturer's support website and search for your model number plus "driver troubleshooting" — they often have step-by-step guides for common problems.

What to do if the printer does not appear in your device list

If you installed the driver but the printer does not show up in your printer list, the driver may not have installed completely. Restart your computer first — this solves the problem about half the time. After restart, check the printer list again.

If the printer still does not appear, uninstall the driver and try again. On Windows, go to Settings, click "Apps", find the printer driver in the list, and click "Uninstall". On Mac, open Applications, find the printer manufacturer's folder, and look for an uninstaller program. Then download the driver again from the manufacturer's website and install it fresh. Make sure your printer is plugged in and turned on before you start the second installation.

Network printer setup

If your printer connects to Wi-Fi instead of USB, the installation process is the same, but you have one extra step before you start. Make sure your printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer. Check your printer's screen or settings menu to see which network it is on. If it is not connected, use the printer's menu to select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password.

Once the printer is on the network, download and install the driver the same way you would for a USB printer. The driver will detect the printer on your network and add it to your device list automatically. If the printer does not appear after installation, restart your computer and check again. Network printers sometimes take a minute to show up after the driver installs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need the disc if I can download the driver?

No. Downloading from the manufacturer's website is faster and usually gives you a newer version of the driver. Use the disc only if you do not have internet access or cannot find the driver online.

What if I cannot find my printer model number?

Look on the back, bottom, or inside the printer door for a sticker with the model number. It is usually printed clearly. If you still cannot find it, take a photo of the printer and search for the brand and any visible numbers online, or contact the manufacturer's support line with a description of the printer.

Can I install a printer driver without restarting?

Windows drivers usually require a restart to work properly. Mac drivers often do not, but some will ask for one anyway. Always restart when prompted — it ensures the driver loads correctly and prevents printing problems later.

What if the manufacturer's website does not have a driver for my operating system?

Some older printers do not have drivers for the newest versions of Windows or Mac. Check the manufacturer's support page to see if they list your operating system. If not, contact their support team — they may have an older driver that still works, or they may recommend a compatible alternative printer.

Do I need to install the printer software that came with the driver?

No. The driver itself is all you need to print. The extra software (like printer management tools or scanning utilities) is optional. You can skip it during installation and add it later if you want those features.