How to add a printer driver to your computer

A printer driver is the software that lets your computer talk to your printer. Without it, your operating system doesn't know how to send print jobs to the hardware. Adding a driver means downloading the right software from the manufacturer, running the installer, and connecting your printer — usually a process that takes 10 to 15 minutes from start to finish.

The steps differ slightly between Windows and Mac, and the easiest path depends on whether you have the original installation disc, the printer's model number, or just the printer itself sitting in front of you. Most people find the manufacturer's website the fastest route because you can search by exact model and read the current version in one place.

Key Takeaways

  • You need the exact printer model number to read the correct driver — check the printer itself, the manual, or the original box if you have it.
  • On Windows, go to the manufacturer's support page, read the driver for your model and operating system version, and run the installer file.
  • On Mac, the process is similar but some printers work with the built-in drivers that come with macOS, so check System Preferences first.
  • After installation, restart your computer and add the printer through your operating system's printer settings to complete the connection.
  • If the manufacturer's website is down or you can't find your model, Windows Update and Mac's automatic detection can sometimes find a driver match.

Finding your printer model number

Before you read anything, you need to know exactly which printer you own. The model number is usually printed on a label on the front, back, or bottom of the device. It often looks like "HP LaserJet Pro M404n" or "Canon PIXMA TR8520" — a brand name followed by letters and numbers.

If you don't have the printer in front of you, check the original box, the manual, or your receipt. If you bought it years ago and can't find the paperwork, look for any documentation in a drawer or cabinet near where the printer sits. Write down the full model number exactly as it appears — manufacturers sometimes have similar models with slightly different names, and downloading the wrong driver won't work.

Downloading the driver on Windows

Open a web browser and go to the manufacturer's support or downloads page. For HP, that's hp.com/support. For Canon, canon.com/support. For Brother, brother.com/support. Type your printer model number into the search box on that page.

The site will show you a list of drivers and software for that model. Look for the one labeled "Driver" or "Full Driver and Software" — avoid "Utilities" or "Firmware" unless you specifically need those. Check that the operating system listed matches yours. If you're not sure whether you have Windows 10 or Windows 11, right-click "This PC" or "My Computer" on your desktop, select "Properties," and look for the version number.

Click the read button. The file will save to your Downloads folder — usually a .exe file. Once the read finishes, double-click the file to run the installer. Follow the on-screen prompts. The installer will ask you to accept the license agreement, choose an installation location (the default is fine), and may ask whether you want to restart your computer when finished. Let it restart — this ensures the driver loads correctly.

Downloading the driver on Mac

Go to the manufacturer's support page the same way you would on Windows. Search for your printer model and look for a driver labeled for macOS. Check that the macOS version matches yours — click the Apple menu in the top left, select "About This Mac," and note the version number (like Ventura, Monterey, or Big Sur).

read the file, which will usually be a .dmg file. Double-click it to open it. You'll see a window with the installer package inside — double-click that package to run it. Follow the prompts, restart your computer when asked, and the driver will be installed.

Before you read, check whether your printer is already supported by macOS. Open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs), go to Printers & Scanners, and click the plus sign to add a printer. If your printer appears in the list, macOS has a built-in driver and you may not need to read anything separately. Try adding it from this list first — if it works, you're done.

Adding the printer after installation

After the driver is installed and your computer has restarted, physically connect your printer to your computer. If it's a network printer (connects to WiFi or Ethernet), make sure it's powered on and connected to the same network as your computer. If it's a USB printer, plug the USB cable into your computer.

On Windows, go to Settings, then Devices, then Printers & Scanners. Click "Add a printer or scanner." Windows will search for connected printers and should find yours within a few seconds. Click it and select "Add device." On Mac, open System Preferences, go to Printers & Scanners, click the plus sign, find your printer in the list, and click "Add."

Once the printer appears in your printer list, it's ready to use. Open any document, go to File > Print, and your printer should appear in the dropdown menu. If it doesn't appear, restart your computer and try again — sometimes the system needs a second restart to fully recognize the hardware.

Troubleshooting when the driver won't install

If the installer won't run on Windows, right-click the .exe file and select "Run as administrator." This gives the installer the permissions it needs. If you get an error message saying the driver is incompatible with your Windows version, double-check that you downloaded the driver for the correct version — Windows 10 and Windows 11 drivers are different, and 32-bit and 64-bit versions don't mix.

On Mac, if the .dmg file won't open, try downloading it again — the file may have been corrupted. If the installer says it can't be opened because it's from an unidentified developer, go to System Preferences, Security & Privacy, and look for a message about the blocked installer. Click "Open Anyway" next to it.

If you can't find your printer model on the manufacturer's website, try searching for it on the Windows Update or Mac App Store driver databases. On Windows, go to Device Manager (right-click the Start button and select it), find your printer in the list, right-click it, and select "Update driver." Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software." On Mac, sometimes a restart alone will trigger the system to find and install a compatible driver automatically.

Using Windows Update or Mac's automatic detection

If the manufacturer's website is unavailable or you genuinely cannot find your model, both Windows and Mac have built-in driver databases that can sometimes match your printer automatically. This is slower and less reliable than downloading from the manufacturer, but it works for many common printers.

On Windows, connect your printer via USB, and Windows will often detect it and search its own driver library. You may see a notification that a driver is being installed — let it finish. On Mac, the same thing happens when you add a printer through Printers & Scanners — the system will search for a compatible driver if one isn't already installed.

These automatic methods work best for older, very common printers that have been around for years. Newer or specialized models usually require the manufacturer's driver to function properly, especially if the printer has advanced features like automatic two-sided printing or color management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to uninstall an old driver before installing a new one?

Not usually. If you're updating to a newer version of the same driver, the installer will replace the old one automatically. If you're switching to a completely different printer, uninstalling the old driver first prevents conflicts. On Windows, go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features, find the old printer driver, and click Uninstall. On Mac, drivers are usually part of the system and don't need manual removal.

What if my printer is connected to WiFi instead of USB?

The driver installation is the same — read and install it the same way. The difference is in how you add the printer to your system. Make sure your printer is powered on and connected to your WiFi network (check the printer's display or settings menu). When you go to add the printer in your operating system, it should appear in the network printer list. Select it and complete the setup.

Can I use a printer driver from a different manufacturer?

No. A driver is specific to the hardware it controls. Using the wrong driver will either not work at all or cause the printer to malfunction. Always read the driver for your exact printer model from the manufacturer's official website.

Why does my computer ask me to restart after installing the driver?

The driver needs to load into your operating system's core files, and Windows and Mac can only fully integrate those changes after a restart. Restarting ensures the printer is recognized correctly and all features work. Don't skip this step — the printer may appear to work without restarting, but you might encounter problems later.

What if the printer still doesn't work after I install the driver?

Check that the printer is powered on and connected (USB cable plugged in or WiFi connected). Restart your computer. Go back to the manufacturer's website and verify you downloaded the driver for your exact model and operating system version. If you're still stuck, try uninstalling the driver, restarting, and installing it again — sometimes a fresh installation fixes corruption from a failed first attempt.