What Is a Printer Driver and Why Do You Need It?
A printer driver is software that acts as a translator between your computer's operating system and your printer. Without it, your computer cannot send print instructions the printer understands. The wrong or outdated driver can cause printing errors, missing features, or connection failures.
Drivers are also needed after:
- A Windows or macOS update that breaks existing driver compatibility
- Setting up a printer on a new computer
- Reinstalling your operating system
- Connecting a printer to a new Wi-Fi network
- Switching from USB to wireless printing
Only download printer drivers from the official manufacturer's website. Third-party driver download sites (not manufacturer sites) frequently bundle adware, spyware, or outdated/incorrect driver versions. The official links are listed in every section below.
Step 1 — Find Your Printer Model Number
Before downloading any driver, you need the exact model number of your printer. You'll find it in one of these locations:
- Front panel — printed near the brand logo
- Bottom label — a sticker with the model, serial number, and regulatory info
- Inside the printer — visible when you open the ink cartridge access door
- Windows: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → click your printer → Hardware Properties
- Mac: System Settings → Printers & Scanners → select the printer → name shown in the list
💡 Tip: Model numbers often look like: HP DeskJet 4155e, Canon PIXMA MG3620, Epson ET-2720, Brother MFC-L2710DW. Include the full suffix (letters and numbers) for accurate driver results.
Official Printer Driver Download Sites
HP Printer Drivers
Official driver downloads for HP printers. Always the latest version for your OS.
support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/printers ↗Canon Printer Drivers
Official driver downloads for Canon printers. Always the latest version for your OS.
usa.canon.com/support ↗Epson Printer Drivers
Official driver downloads for Epson printers. Always the latest version for your OS.
epson.com/support ↗Brother Printer Drivers
Official driver downloads for Brother printers. Always the latest version for your OS.
support.brother.com ↗Lexmark Printer Drivers
Official driver downloads for Lexmark printers. Always the latest version for your OS.
lexmark.com/support ↗Samsung Printer Drivers
Official driver downloads for Samsung printers. Always the latest version for your OS.
support.hp.com ↗How to Download & Install Printer Drivers (Step-by-Step)
Windows Windows 10 & 11
- Go to the official manufacturer support site (links above)
- Enter your printer model number
- Select Windows 11 or Windows 10 as your OS
- Download the Full Feature Software (recommended) or Basic Driver
- Open the downloaded
.exefile — click Yes to allow - Follow the installer wizard — connect USB or stay on Wi-Fi when prompted
- When complete, open Notepad and print a test page
macOS macOS Ventura / Sonoma / Monterey
- Go to the official manufacturer support site
- Search your printer model and select your macOS version
- Download the
.dmginstaller file - Open the .dmg and double-click the installer package
- Allow installation in System Settings → Privacy & Security if prompted
- After install, go to System Settings → Printers & Scanners → click + to add printer
- Print a test page to confirm
💡 Automatic method: On Windows 11/10, connecting your printer via USB often triggers automatic driver download. Go to Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → Add device. Windows will search Windows Update for a compatible driver.
HP Printer Drivers — Complete Guide
HP offers two main driver options: the HP Easy Start (full featured, recommended) and the Basic Print Driver (minimal, for older systems).
HP Driver Download Steps
Go to HP's official support site
Visit support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/printers — the only official source. Alternatively, use 123.hp.com for a guided setup.
Enter your HP printer model
Type the full model number (e.g. HP DeskJet 4155e, HP LaserJet Pro MFP M428fdw) and click Search.
Select operating system
Click "Change" next to the detected OS if needed. Choose Windows 11 (64-bit), Windows 10, macOS Ventura, etc.
Download HP Easy Start or Full Software
Under "Driver-Product Installation Software," click Download next to HP Easy Start or the Full Feature Software package.
Run the installer and follow the wizard
Open the downloaded file. Choose Connection Type (USB or Wireless) when prompted and follow the on-screen steps.
HP Printer Models & Series
- HP DeskJet series — Home inkjet printers (e.g. DeskJet 2755e, 4155e, 3772)
- HP Envy series — Mid-range inkjet, photo-capable (e.g. Envy 6055e, Envy Pro 6455e)
- HP OfficeJet Pro series — Business inkjet (e.g. OfficeJet Pro 9015e, 8025e)
- HP LaserJet series — Laser printing (e.g. LaserJet Pro M404n, MFP M428fdw)
- HP Color LaserJet series — Color laser (e.g. Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdw)
Note: HP printers ending in "e" (e.g. DeskJet 4155e) are HP+ printers designed to work with the HP Smart app and require an HP account for full functionality. You can still use them without an account for basic printing.
Canon Printer Drivers — Complete Guide
Canon provides drivers through its regional support sites. In the USA, use usa.canon.com/support. In other countries, search for "Canon support [country]" to find your regional site.
Visit usa.canon.com/support
Go to usa.canon.com/support and click on "Printers & Multifunction."
Browse or search your Canon model
Enter the model (e.g. Canon PIXMA MG3620, Canon imageCLASS MF445dw) or browse by series.
Go to Drivers & Downloads
Click the "Drivers & Downloads" tab on the product page. Select your operating system.
Download the recommended driver
For most users: download IJ Printer Driver (inkjet) or MF Printer Driver (imageCLASS laser). Click Download, then run the installer.
Canon Printer Series
- Canon PIXMA — Consumer inkjet printers for home use
- Canon MAXIFY — Small office inkjet printers
- Canon imageCLASS — Laser printers for home and office
- Canon SELPHY — Compact photo printers
Epson Printer Drivers — Complete Guide
Epson provides comprehensive driver and software packages from epson.com/support. The Epson Printer Driver + Utilities package is recommended for full functionality.
Go to epson.com/support
Visit epson.com/support and select "Printers."
Search for your Epson model
Enter the model number (e.g. Epson ET-2720, Epson EcoTank ET-4850, Epson WorkForce WF-7720).
Select OS and download
Choose your OS, then download "Epson Printer Driver" package — this includes the printer driver, scanner software, and utilities.
Install and connect
Run the installer. You'll be asked to choose USB or Wi-Fi connection. Have your Wi-Fi password ready if connecting wirelessly.
Epson Printer Series
- Epson EcoTank — High-capacity ink tank printers (ET series)
- Epson WorkForce — Business inkjet printers (WF series)
- Epson Expression — Home photo inkjet printers
- Epson SureColor — Professional photo and graphics printers
Brother Printer Drivers — Complete Guide
Brother driver downloads are available at support.brother.com. Brother's Full Driver & Software Package includes the printer driver, scanner driver (for MFCs), and utilities.
Visit support.brother.com
Go to support.brother.com and select your country/region.
Enter your Brother model
Type the model number (e.g. Brother MFC-L2710DW, Brother HL-L2350DW, Brother DCP-T310).
Download Full Driver Package
Under "Downloads," select your OS and download the Full Driver & Software Package for the complete installation.
Run installer — choose connection
The installer will ask for USB or Wireless connection. For wireless, have your SSID and Wi-Fi password ready.
Lexmark Printer Drivers
Lexmark driver downloads are available at lexmark.com/support. Search by product name or product number (found on the printer label).
- Navigate to the product page and select "Drivers"
- Choose your OS (Windows or macOS)
- Download the Universal Print Driver for multiple Lexmark devices, or the specific model driver for your printer
Installing Printer Drivers on Windows 11
Windows 11 includes many drivers via Windows Update. When you connect a printer via USB or add it over the network, Windows 11 often installs the driver automatically. For manual installation:
- Download the driver installer from the manufacturer's site
- If Windows warns "Publisher can't be verified," click Run anyway (only when you downloaded directly from the official manufacturer site)
- After installation, confirm in Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners
💡 Windows 11 Tip: If the auto-installed driver is missing features, manually install the full driver package from the manufacturer's site for the complete experience (including ink level display, scan functionality, etc.).
Installing Printer Drivers on macOS
macOS automatically downloads drivers via Apple Software Updates for most major brands. However, for full features (especially scanning for MFCs), install the manufacturer's dedicated software:
- macOS Sonoma, Ventura, and Monterey all support AirPrint for basic printing — no driver required
- For scanning, advanced settings, or ink level monitoring, install the manufacturer's software package
- If macOS blocks the installer, go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → scroll down → click Open Anyway
Driver Problems & Fixes
Driver install fails or freezes
Temporarily disable antivirus, then retry. If still failing, download the Basic Driver package instead of Full Software. Restart and try again.
Printer installed but not printing
Open Settings → Printers & Scanners → click your printer → click "Open print queue" → cancel all jobs → restart the Print Spooler service. See our troubleshooting guide.
"Driver is unavailable" error
This appears when the driver was lost after a Windows Update. Reinstall from the manufacturer's site using the steps above. Alternatively, right-click the printer in Device Manager → Update driver → Search automatically.
Wrong driver installed (e.g. 32-bit vs 64-bit)
Go to Settings → Printers & Scanners → remove the printer → reinstall selecting the correct architecture. Most modern systems are 64-bit.
Printer shows as "Offline" after driver install
The printer may be assigned a new IP address. Remove and re-add the printer via Settings → Printers & Scanners. See our Printer Offline fix guide.
macOS "Software is not currently available" during AirPrint setup
This means the manufacturer's macOS driver has not been released yet for your macOS version. Check the manufacturer's support site for updates, or use AirPrint for basic printing in the meantime.
Everyday Printing Needs is an independent third-party printer guide website. We are not affiliated with HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, Lexmark, or any manufacturer. All driver download links point to official manufacturer websites. Read full disclaimer →