For best performance, compatibility, and security, you must update the printer driver. The printer driver is the communication link between your computer and printer (it converts all the commands sent to the printer from your computer into something that the printer understands), so when the printer drivers are out-of-date, you may experience various issues, including problems with printing, problems with connectivity, and decreased overall functionality of the printer.
Fortunately, updating your printer driver(s) is very simple and can be done within minutes (via either built-in printer update tools or through the respective printer manufacturers’ websites). This complete step-by-step guide will give you a clear picture on how to easily update printer drivers in both the Windows and macOS operating systems.
How to Update Printer Driver on macOS
Step 1: Find Your Printer Model-
Before updating the printer driver on Mac, you will need to find out your printers’ make and model. Your printer’s information is typically found on the outside of it with a sticker attached. The print driver is also found in “Devices & Printers” within Windows Settings under “Control Panel.” You will want to write down your exact model number so that you can correctly download the print drivers associated with your printer’s specific model number. By having the model and make number correct, you will not be downloading an incorrect/incompatible driver. You may also want to take a screenshot of the make and model number to refer to when downloading during the update process.
Step 2: Update Through Software Update-
To see what updates may be available to your Mac, go to the Apple Menu > System Preferences > Software Update, as macOS will automatically update and download printer driver updates and may require you to restart your Mac after installing them. This method ensures your system stays current with the latest drivers.
Step 3: Download From Manufacturer Website–
To confirm that your installation was successful, generate a test print afterwards. Open a document of any kind that you wish to use for the test print and go to ‘Print’ on the ‘File’ menu. After selecting your printer, print your opened document. If your document prints as expected, then the driver you updated has been installed correctly. If your print still doesn’t come out properly, consult either the Device Manager or visit the manufacturer’s technical support web site for help.
What is a Printer Driver?
A printer driver (a mechanism for facilitating the electronic communication between your printer unit and PC systems) functions to translate data and/or commands created in your operating system so they may be “understandable” by the printer unit and processed accordingly. Failure to install a driver that is not specific to the model of printer you are using may cause a printer unit not to operate at all or to exhibit so much malfunction that it becomes useless for producing quality hard copy output.
Printer drivers are also model specific; each printer requires driver software agreements compatible with the corresponding printer model. Most printer providers offer a disc with the driver software on it or allow users to download the driver software from their website. Knowing this relationship will give you an advantage in identifying and fixing problems resulting from incorrect drivers.
Why Should You Update Printer Drivers?
Advantages of printer driver updates are manifold. New drivers fix bugs or errors that were present within the older versions of your printer driver. They also increase compatibility between your printer and new operating systems and software applications released by the manufacturers of your printers and manufacturers of different manufacturers of computers and computing devices. New printer driver updates also improve the overall performance and responsiveness of a printer dramatically.
Many printer driver updates provide security updates that protect against vulnerabilities or cyber threats to your printing system. Many printer driver updates also add features that will allow users to take advantage of the increased capabilities and utility that printing devices provide through updated printer drivers. Regular printer driver updates will help to maintain the reliability of your printing systems, thus reducing the occurrence of unexpected errors and failures during the use of a printer.
How to Update Printer Driver on Windows
Step 1: Identify Your Printer Model–
Updating the Printer driver on window, you will need to find out your printers make and model. Your printer’s information is typically found on the outside of it with a sticker attached. The print driver is also found in “Devices & Printers” within Windows Settings under “Control Panel.”
You will want to write down your exact model number so that you can correctly download the print drivers associated with your printer’s specific model number. By having the model and make number correct, you will not be downloading an incorrect/incompatible driver. You may also want to take a screenshot of the make and model number to refer to when downloading during the update process.
Step 2: Use Windows Update (Automatic Method)–
Press the Windows key plus I, followed by clicking on “Update & Security”, and selecting “Windows Update” to access the options for downloading updates for Windows devices. You will then have the ability to search for newly available printer drivers by clicking the “Check for Updates” button. All compatible Windows printer drivers will automatically download and install without any user interaction necessary. If you have been asked to restart your computer once the installation of the printer driver has been finished; please do so.
Step 3: Update Through Device Manager
To access Device Manager, right-click on the Windows Start Menu and after that select Device Manager. Expand either the Printers section or Print Queue area. Locate your printer from the list of devices, right-click, and select Update Driver option. Next, choose Search Automatically for Updated Driver Software and follow all onscreen directions and instructions when prompted. Device Manager will automatically look locally and over the internet to find updated compatible drivers for your printer.
Step 4: Download From Manufacturer Website (Manual Method)
To obtain the newest printer driver for your printer, you need to access the OEM’s website. An OEM is identified as the original Equipment Manufacturer of your printer. The companies mentioned previously are a perfect point to begin to search for driver updates from your new printer. Check websites for HP, Epson, Canon, Brother, and Xerox to find out which printer has a support/download section. Search for “Print Driver” in your device’s devices & printers application, depending on your printer connection type. Follow the installation instructions provided by each of the manufacturers listed as soon as you have completed these. Download the latest version of each manufacturer’s Windows Driver that is compatible with your printer.
Testing Your Updated Printer Driver
After updating, print a test page to verify successful installation. Open any document and select Print from the File menu. Select your printer and print the document. Successful printing confirms your driver update completed properly. If problems persist, revisit Device Manager or manufacturer support resources.
Conclusion
Keeping your printer driver updated is essential in ensuring that your print system is running at its peak efficiency. Irrespective of the method you opt to update your printer driver, such as Windows Automatic Updates or Download from Your Manufacturer, updating your printer driver is very easy. If your printer driver is updated, you should not worry about any potential issues of compatibility, as this issue should be addressed, as there is a greater chance that your printer driver will be running perfectly. If there is an upgrade of your OS’s major version, you should look for updates periodically. There is a list of printer driver resources provided by the Printer Setup Zone that will help you ensure your printers work efficiently.
