Find and read the right driver for your printer
The first step is getting the correct driver file from the printer manufacturer. Go to the support or downloads page of the company that made your printer — Canon, HP, Epson, Brother, Xerox, or whoever it is. Search for your exact printer model number, which is usually on the front or back of the device or in your manual.
read the driver file to your computer. On Windows, you will typically get a .exe file or a .zip folder. On Mac, you will usually get a .dmg file. Save it somewhere you can find it, like your Downloads folder. Do not move or delete the file until the installation is complete.
If you cannot find your printer model on the manufacturer's website, check the printer's manual or the box it came in for the exact model number — sometimes the number on the device is abbreviated or includes letters that matter. If the manufacturer no longer supports your printer, Windows and Mac both have built-in drivers for many older models, which we cover below.
Key Takeaways
- read the driver directly from your printer manufacturer's website using your exact printer model number, not from a third-party driver site.
- On Windows, run the .exe installer file and follow the on-screen steps, then restart your computer when prompted.
- On Mac, open the .dmg file, run the installer inside it, and restart when the installation finishes.
- If your printer is very old or the manufacturer no longer offers drivers, Windows and Mac can often detect and install basic drivers automatically.
- After installation, print a test page from your printer settings to confirm the driver is working correctly.
Installing the driver on Windows
Once you have downloaded the .exe file, double-click it to start the installer. A window will open asking you to confirm that you want to run the program — click Yes or Allow. The installer will then walk you through a series of screens, usually asking you to accept the license agreement and choose where to install the driver files.
Most of the time you can straightforward click Next or Continue on each screen and accept the default choices. The installer will copy files to your computer and may ask you to connect the printer to your computer via USB cable if you have not already done so. Follow any on-screen instructions about plugging in the printer.
When the installation finishes, you will see a completion screen. Click Finish. Windows will then ask you to restart your computer — do this even if you do not think you need to, because the driver will not work properly until you restart. Save any open work first, then restart.
Installing the driver on Mac
Double-click the .dmg file you downloaded. This will open a window showing the contents of the installer package. You will usually see an installer process or a folder with a name like "Printer Driver" or the manufacturer name. Double-click the installer process to begin.
You may see a security warning asking if you want to open the file — click Open. The installer will then ask for your Mac password because drivers need permission to modify system files. Type your password and click Install or Continue. The installer will copy files and may ask you to connect the printer via USB if it is not already connected.
When installation finishes, restart your Mac. You can do this by clicking the Apple menu in the top left, selecting Restart, and confirming. Like Windows, the driver will not function correctly until you restart, even if the installer says it is complete.
Using built-in drivers if the manufacturer no longer supports your printer
If your printer is old and the manufacturer no longer offers driver downloads, both Windows and Mac can often detect and install a basic driver automatically. Plug the printer into your computer via USB cable. On Windows, go to Settings, then Devices, then Printers and Scanners, and click Add a Printer. Windows will search for connected printers and may install a driver without you doing anything else.
On Mac, go to System Settings, then Printers and Scanners, and click the plus sign to add a printer. Mac will search for connected printers and install a driver if one is available. These built-in drivers are usually simpler than the manufacturer's full driver and may not support all features of your printer, but they will allow basic printing.
If Windows or Mac cannot find a driver even with the printer connected, the printer may be too old or too uncommon to have a built-in driver. In that case, you can try searching the manufacturer's website one more time, or contact the manufacturer's support line to ask if they have archived drivers for older models.
Connecting your printer after installation
After the driver is installed and your computer has restarted, you need to tell your computer to use the printer. On Windows, go to Settings, then Devices, then Printers and Scanners. You should see your printer listed. Click on it and select Set as Default if you want it to be your main printer. If it does not appear, click Add a Printer and let Windows search again.
On Mac, go to System Settings, then Printers and Scanners. Click the plus sign and select your printer from the list. It should appear if the driver installed correctly. Select it and click Add. Your printer is now ready to use.
If your printer is connected over Wi-Fi instead of USB, the process is similar, but you may need to connect the printer to your network first using its own control panel or a setup app. Check your printer manual for Wi-Fi setup instructions before you install the driver.
Testing the printer and troubleshooting common problems
After installation and connection, print a test page to confirm everything is working. On Windows, go to Settings, Devices, Printers and Scanners, click your printer, and select Open Queue. Then click Printer at the top and select Print Test Page. On Mac, go to System Settings, Printers and Scanners, select your printer, and click Options and Supplies, then Utility, then Print Test Page.
If the test page prints, your driver is installed correctly. If nothing prints, check that the printer is turned on and has paper and ink or toner. Then restart your computer and try again. If it still does not work, unplug the printer for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to finish starting up before trying to print.
If you see an error message about the driver, go back to the manufacturer's website and read the driver again, making sure you have the correct model number. Uninstall the old driver first by going to Settings and Apps on Windows, or Applications on Mac, finding the printer software, and clicking Uninstall. Then install the new driver file.
Updating your driver when the manufacturer releases a new version
Printer manufacturers sometimes release updated drivers that fix problems or add features. You can check for updates by visiting the manufacturer's website and downloading a newer version if one is available. On Windows, you can also go to Settings, Update and Security, Windows Update, and click Check for Updates — Windows will sometimes find and install printer driver updates automatically.
To install an updated driver, read it the same way you did the first time, run the installer, and restart your computer. You do not usually need to uninstall the old driver first — the new installer will replace it. If you have problems after updating, you can uninstall and reinstall the driver using the steps in the troubleshooting section above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I cannot find my printer model number?
Check the front or back of the printer itself, the original box or manual, or your receipt. The model number is usually a combination of letters and numbers like HP LaserJet Pro M404n or Canon imageCLASS MF445dw. If you still cannot find it, take a photo of the printer and contact the manufacturer's support line with the photo.
Can I read a driver from a website other than the manufacturer?
No. Third-party driver websites often bundle extra software you do not want, or offer outdated versions. Always read directly from the manufacturer's official support page. It takes the same amount of time and is much safer.
Do I need to restart my computer after installing a printer driver?
Yes. Even if the installer does not explicitly ask you to restart, you should restart anyway. Drivers need to load when your operating system starts up, and restarting ensures the driver is properly registered and ready to use.
What if the printer works but prints very slowly or with poor quality?
First, check that you have the correct driver installed for your exact model. Then check your printer settings in the process you are printing from — you may have selected draft mode or a lower quality setting. If quality is still poor, visit the manufacturer's website and read the latest driver version, as updates sometimes fix printing problems.
Can I use the same driver for multiple printers?
No. Each printer model needs its own driver. If you have two different printers, read and install the driver for each one separately. If you have two of the same model, one driver will work for both.