The driver window opens automatically when you print, but you can also open it manually
When you send an image to print on an Epson printer, the driver window should appear on its own. If it doesn't, or if you need to change settings before printing, you can open the Epson driver manually through your computer's control panel or through the printer software that came with your machine. The exact steps depend on whether you use Windows or Mac, and which Epson model you own.
The driver is the software that translates what you see on screen into instructions your printer understands. Without it running, your printer can't receive print jobs at all. If you're having trouble getting the driver window to appear, the issue is usually that the software wasn't installed completely, or Windows/Mac doesn't know where to find it.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, open the Epson printer driver through Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, right-click your Epson printer, and select "Printing Preferences" or "Properties".
- On Mac, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, select your Epson printer, and click "Options & Supplies" to access driver settings.
- If your Epson printer doesn't appear in the printer list, the driver software may not be installed; read it from Epson's support website using your printer model number.
- The Epson printer utility software (separate from the driver) also lets you open the driver window and adjust settings like paper size, quality, and color mode before printing.
- Restarting your computer after installing or updating the driver often fixes problems where the driver window won't open.
Opening the driver on Windows 10 and 11
Go to Settings, then select Devices, then Printers & Scanners. Scroll down until you see your Epson printer listed. Click on it once to select it, then click the button that says Open queue or See what's printing. This shows you any print jobs currently waiting.
To open the actual driver settings window, right-click on your Epson printer name in that same list. A menu will appear with options like Printing Preferences, Properties, or Printer Properties. Click whichever one appears — different Epson models label this differently. This opens the driver window where you can change paper size, print quality, color settings, and other options before you print.
If your Epson printer doesn't show up in the Printers & Scanners list at all, the driver isn't installed. You'll need to read it from Epson's website. Go to epson.com, find the Support or Drivers section, enter your printer model number, and read the driver for Windows. Run the installer and restart your computer when it finishes.
Opening the driver on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner, then select System Preferences (on older Macs) or System Settings (on newer ones). Look for Printers & Scanners and click it. Find your Epson printer in the list on the left side.
Once your printer is selected, you'll see buttons on the right side of the window. Click Options & Supplies or Supply Levels to open the driver settings. From here you can adjust paper type, print quality, color mode, and other options. Some Macs also show a Driver button — click that to access the full driver window.
If your Epson doesn't appear in the Printers & Scanners list, read the driver from epson.com. Select Mac as your operating system, enter your printer model, and read the installer. Open the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions. You may need to restart your Mac after installation before the printer appears in System Preferences.
Using the Epson printer utility software
Epson includes a separate utility program (sometimes called Epson Printer Utility, Epson Status Monitor, or Epson Event Manager, depending on your model) that often provides an easier way to open the driver. This software was included on a disc with your printer, or you can read it from Epson's website along with the driver.
On Windows, search for "Epson" in the Start menu — you should see the utility program listed. Open it and select your printer from the list. You'll usually see a button labeled Printer Settings, Print Settings, or Preferences. Click it to open the driver window. On Mac, look in Applications > Epson Software or Applications > Utilities for the Epson utility, then follow the same steps.
The utility software also shows you ink levels, lets you run cleaning cycles, and alerts you to paper jams or other problems. Many people find it simpler than digging through Settings, so it's worth installing if you print regularly.
What to do if the driver window won't open when you print
If you send an image to print but the driver window never appears, first check that your Epson printer is actually selected as your default printer. On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, find your Epson, and click it. You should see a button that says Manage — click that, then look for an option to set it as default. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, select your Epson, and look for a dropdown menu that says "Default printer" — make sure your Epson is selected.
Next, restart your computer. Driver problems often resolve themselves after a restart, especially if you recently installed or updated the software. After restarting, try printing a test image again and see if the driver window appears.
If the window still won't open, uninstall and reinstall the driver. On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & Features, find Epson in the list, click it, and select Uninstall. On Mac, open Applications and drag the Epson software to the Trash. Then read the driver fresh from epson.com, install it, and restart your computer.
Finding your printer model number for driver downloads
When you need to read a driver from Epson's website, you'll be asked for your printer model number. This is usually printed on a label on the back or bottom of your printer — look for something like "Epson Expression XP-4100" or "Epson WorkForce Pro WF-C5790". You can also find it by going to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners on Windows, clicking your Epson printer, and looking at the information shown. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and click Supply Levels or Options & Supplies — the model number usually appears there.
Once you have the model number, go to epson.com/support, enter it in the search box, and select your operating system (Windows or Mac). The page will show you the correct driver to read. Always read from Epson's official website rather than third-party sites, because third-party drivers can be outdated or contain unwanted software.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the driver window sometimes not appear when I print?
The driver window may not appear if your Epson printer isn't set as the default printer, if the driver software is corrupted, or if your computer's firewall is blocking it. Check that your Epson is the default printer first, then restart your computer. If that doesn't work, uninstall and reinstall the driver.
Can I open the driver without printing an image first?
Yes. On Windows, use Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, right-click your Epson, and select Printing Preferences. On Mac, use System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, select your Epson, and click Options & Supplies. You can also open the Epson utility software directly from your Applications folder.
What if I can't find my Epson printer in the printer list?
The printer isn't connected properly or the driver isn't installed. Check that your printer is turned on and connected to your computer via USB or network. Then read the driver from epson.com using your printer model number, install it, and restart your computer.
Do I need to open the driver window every time I print?
No. Once you set your preferred print settings in the driver window, those settings are saved as defaults. The driver window will appear automatically the next time you print, but you can skip it by clicking Print without changing anything. You only need to open the driver manually when you want to change settings like paper size or quality.
Is the driver the same as the printer utility software?
No. The driver is the core software that lets your computer communicate with the printer. The utility software is an extra program that makes it easier to access the driver, check ink levels, and run maintenance tasks. You need the driver to print at all, but the utility is optional.