Find out what version you have and whether an update is available
The fastest way to check your printer driver version is to open your printer's settings directly from your computer. On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, find your printer in the list, click it, then select "Printer properties." Look for a "Driver" or "About" tab that shows the version number and date. On Mac, open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, select your printer, then click "Options & Supplies" and look for driver information in the General tab.
Once you know what version you have, visit the printer manufacturer's website — Canon, HP, Epson, Brother, Xerox, and others all maintain driver read pages. Search for your exact printer model (the model number is usually on the front or back of the machine) and look for the driver read section. The site will show the latest available version. If the version on the manufacturer's website is newer than what your computer shows, an update is available.
You can also check for updates automatically through Windows Update on Windows 10 and later. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Check for updates, and Windows will scan for driver updates including printer drivers. This method is simpler but sometimes lags behind the manufacturer's own releases by a few weeks.
Key Takeaways
- Check your current driver version in Printer Properties on Windows or Printers & Scanners on Mac before downloading anything.
- The manufacturer's website always has the newest driver version, while Windows Update may lag behind by a few weeks.
- read the driver file directly to your computer, then run the installer — do not try to install from the downloaded .zip file itself.
- Restart your computer after installation completes to may support the new driver loads properly.
- If your printer stops working after an update, you can roll back to the previous driver through Device Manager on Windows or System Preferences on Mac.
read the driver file from the manufacturer's website
Go to the support or downloads section of your printer manufacturer's website. Enter your printer model number exactly as it appears on your machine — a model number like "HP LaserJet Pro M404n" is different from "HP LaserJet Pro M404dn," and downloading the wrong one will not work. Select your operating system (Windows 10, Windows 11, macOS 12, macOS 13, etc.) from the dropdown menu.
The website will show you a driver file, usually named something like "PrinterModel_Driver_v5.2.1.exe" on Windows or "PrinterModel_Driver.dmg" on Mac. Click the read button. The file will land in your Downloads folder. Do not try to install the driver from inside the .zip file — extract it first by double-clicking the .zip, then run the installer from the extracted folder.
Some manufacturers offer multiple driver options: a "full" driver package and a "basic" or "print-only" driver. The full package includes scanning software, fax tools, and other utilities. If you only print and do not use the scanner or other features, the basic driver is faster to read and install. If you use all the printer's features, read the full package.
Run the installer and complete the setup
On Windows, double-click the .exe file you downloaded. A setup wizard will open. Click "Next" through the license agreement and installation options — the default settings are usually correct. The installer will ask you to connect your printer via USB or network. If your printer is already connected, it should detect it automatically. If not, make sure the printer is powered on and connected to the same network (for wireless printers) or plugged into a USB port.
On Mac, double-click the .dmg file. A window will open showing the installer package. Double-click the .pkg file inside, enter your Mac password when prompted, and follow the setup wizard. Mac will verify the installer before running it, which may take a minute.
Do not interrupt the installation or restart your computer while it is running. The process usually takes 3 to 10 minutes depending on the driver size. When the installer finishes, it will show a "Installation Complete" message. Some installers ask you to restart when ready; others do not. Restart your computer anyway after the installation finishes — this ensures the new driver loads into memory properly and prevents printing problems.
Verify the new driver is installed and working
After your computer restarts, print a test page to confirm the new driver is working. On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, click your printer, then click "Printer properties" and look for a "Print Test Page" button. On Mac, open System Preferences > Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and click "Print Test Page."
If the test page prints, the driver update is complete. If the printer does not respond, check that it is powered on and connected. If it is connected but still will not print, restart the print spooler service on Windows (search for "Services" in the Start menu, find "Print Spooler," right-click it, and select "Restart") or restart your Mac and try again.
Roll back to the previous driver if the update causes problems
Occasionally a new driver introduces a problem — the printer may not print, scan, or communicate with your computer. If this happens, you can return to the previous driver version. On Windows, open Device Manager (right-click the Start button and select it, or search for it), expand "Printers," right-click your printer, select "Properties," go to the "Driver" tab, and click "Roll Back Driver." Windows will restore the previous version if one is available.
On Mac, you cannot roll back a driver through the system settings. Instead, uninstall the current driver by running the manufacturer's uninstaller (usually found in Applications > Utilities or included in the driver read), restart your computer, then read and install the previous driver version from the manufacturer's website. You may need to contact the manufacturer's support to find the older driver version, as websites often show only the latest release.
Automate future updates to avoid manual downloads
On Windows, enable automatic driver updates through Windows Update. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Advanced Options and toggle on "Receive updates for other Microsoft products." Windows will then check for printer driver updates alongside system updates. This method is convenient but means you cannot control when updates happen or which version installs.
Some printer manufacturers offer their own update software that runs in the background and notifies you when new drivers are available. HP, Canon, and Epson all have these tools available on their websites. read and install the manufacturer's update utility if you want more control over when updates happen while still avoiding manual downloads.
The trade-off is straightforward: automatic updates mean you never have to think about it, but manual updates give you control over timing and the ability to research whether a new version has known problems before you install it. If your printer works reliably, automatic updates are fine. If you depend on your printer for work, manual updates let you check forums or support pages first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to uninstall the old driver before installing the new one?
No. The installer will replace the old driver automatically. Uninstalling first is unnecessary and sometimes causes problems. Just read and run the new installer — it handles the replacement.
What if I cannot find my printer model on the manufacturer's website?
Check that you have the exact model number from your printer. Look on the front panel, back of the machine, or inside the access door. If the website still does not show your model, your printer may be very old or discontinued. Contact the manufacturer's support line with your model number — they can direct you to a compatible driver or tell you if your printer is no longer supported.
Can I update the driver if my printer is connected wirelessly?
Yes. The installer will detect a wireless printer as long as it is powered on and connected to the same network as your computer. Make sure your printer shows a connected status on its display panel before running the installer.
Will updating the driver erase my printer settings or stored documents?
No. Driver updates do not affect printer memory, stored jobs, or configuration settings. Your printer will work exactly as it did before, just with the new driver software.
How often should I update my printer driver?
Check for updates once or twice a year, or whenever you experience printing problems. You do not need to update every time a new version is released — manufacturers often release minor updates that fix issues only some users encounter. Update if you have a specific problem or if you are setting up a new computer.