Jun. 24, 2022 / Updated by Bessie Shaw to Windows Driver Solutions
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A printer driver is a computer program which ensures the smooth communication between your printer and your computer. Whenever you print a document, the printer driver converts it to specific control commands and tells the printer what and how to print. You must install the corresponding printer driver before using a printer.
See Also:How to Successfully Upgrade to Windows 10
Outdated, corrupted, damaged, incompatible or missing printer drivers can cause the printer connection problem. You need to regularly download and update your printer drivers on Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP. Below are 3 methods to help you do it.
Each printer brand has its own unique printer drivers to work well on different operating system. You can download updated drivers from the printer manufacturer's website, such as Brother printer drivers download, Canon printer drivers, Epson printer drivers, HP printer drivers, Hi-Ti printer drivers, Lexmark printer drivers, Panasonic printer drivers, Ricoh printer drivers, TVS printer drivers, UTAX printer drivers, Xerox printer drivers, and so on.
Step 1. Enter your printer model.
Step 2. Locate your exact printer product.
Step 3. Select the right printer driver.
Step 4. Download and install the driver.
Step 5. Restart the computer after installing the new driver.
You could also use Windows Update to update your printer drivers. Once it's set up, Windows Update will download and install recommended updates for your printer automatically. Here's how to set it up:
Step 1. Click Start.
Step 2. Type Update in the Search bar.
Note: Depending on your version of Windows, you may have to select All Programs from the first popup menu.
Step 3. Click Windows Update, click Check for updates.
Note: Depending on your version of Windows, you may have to select& Select the updates you want to install page, followed by clicking OK.
Step 4. Click Install updates on the Windows Update page.
Note: You may have to select View available updates and then click Install for the driver you wish to install.
It is quite time-consuming to download printer drivers via the manufacturer’s website or through Windows Update, sometimes taking several hours. Besides, for some reason, it may happen that you cannot successfully install the downloaded printer drivers. Alternatively, you could use a free and professional-level driver updater utility, like Driver Talent, which could enable you to download and update printer drivers within only a few minutes, greatly saving your time and energy.
Driver Talent could download all brands of printer drivers, such as Brother printer drivers, Canon printer drivers, Epson printer drivers, HP printer drivers, Konica Minolta printer drivers, OKI printer drivers, Xerox printer drivers, Samsung printer driver, etc.
It comes with an easy to use interface that could make you download and update the best-matched printer drivers easily and quickly on Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP.
Click the button below to free download Driver Talent.
Below is a quick guide showing how to download and install the suitable printer drivers for you.
Launch Driver Talent. Click the “Scan” button for corrupt, damaged, incompatible missing printer drivers. It will also detect whether there are most updated printer drivers updates available.
Click the “Peripheral drivers” tab to enter the “Peripheral Drivers” section. The corresponding printer drivers will display. Click “Install” to instantly install the right printer driver that fits your need.
Once the printer drivers install is finished, perform a PC start to make the printer driver update come into effect.
Below are the steps for connecting your desktop or laptop to a network printer on Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP.
Step 1. Open the Control Panel
Step 2. Click Hardware and Sound
Step 3. Click the Add a printer icon
Step 4. Select Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer
Step 5. Click Next
Sep 6. After the printer is detected by Windows, select the printer and click Next
Note: If you know your printer's name, choose "Select a shared printer by name" and enter the path to the printer. If you have the printers IP address, select "Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname".
Read Also: Only 3 Steps to Download & Install Network Printer Driver on Windows PC.
Note: It is strongly recommended that backup your drivers before installing new printer drivers to avoid possible driver crashes. Drive Talent also comes with other advanced features, such drivers restore, system restore, drivers pre-download for another PC, etc.
For more drivers download information, read also How to Free Download Drivers for Windows OS.
Below is a list of the most common printer drivers that Driver Talent can download and update.
Printer drivers for Windows 10 | Printer drivers for Windows 8.1 | Printer drivers for Windows 8 |
Printer drivers for Windows 7 | Printer drivers for Windows Vista | Printer drivers for Windows XP |
Brother printer drivers | Canon printer drivers | Epson printer drivers |
Hi-Ti printer drivers | Konica Minolta printer drivers | |
Panasonic printer drivers | Ricoh printer drivers | |
Seagull printer drivers | Sharp Electronics printer drivers | |
Star Micronics printer drivers | TA Triumph-Adler AG printer drivers | TVS printer drivers |
TallyGenicom printer drivers | UTAX printer drivers | |
WeP (Wipro) printer drivers | Xerox printer drivers. |
If you have any questions about the printer drivers download and update, please make comments below the post for further assistance.
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