Step 1: Start by downloading the printer driver from the manufacturer’s website.
Go to the website of the printer manufacturer and locate the correct version of the driver for your device. Then, download the driver to your computer and save it on your desktop.
Step 2: Install the printer driver
Once you have downloaded the driver, double-click on the file to begin the installation process. Follow the instructions that appear on the screen and agree to any license agreements that are presented.
Step 3: Restart your computer
Once the installation is complete, restart your computer so that the driver can take effect. Your computer may already prompt you to restart once the installation is finished, but if not, you can manually restart it yourself.
Step 4: Test the printer driver
Once your computer has restarted, it’s time to test the driver. Connect your printer via USB cable or WiFi and try to print something. If the print job goes through, then you know the driver has been installed correctly. If not, however, it could mean that there is a problem with the driver.
Step 5: Uninstall and reinstall the driver
If your printer still isn’t working properly, the next step to take is to uninstall and reinstall the driver. Go to the Control Panel on your PC, select “Programs and Features”, and locate the printer driver in the list of installed programs. Click on it and then select “Uninstall” to remove it from your system.
Once the driver has been fully uninstalled, redownload and reinstall it from the manufacturer’s website. Make sure you get the correct version for your device.
Step 6: Update the driver
Even if your printer is working properly, it may be beneficial to check for updates for the driver. Manufacturers often tweak drivers to ensure better performance and compatibility with the latest software. To check for driver updates, open the Control Panel and select “Device Manager”. From there, locate your printer, right-click on it, and select “Update Driver”. This will let Windows search online for the most recent version of the driver.
Step 7: Troubleshoot the driver
If your printer still isn’t working properly, it’s time to try troubleshooting the driver. Open the Control Panel, select “Device Manager”, and locate your printer in the list of devices. Right-click on it and select “Troubleshoot”. Windows will then try to detect any problems with the driver and recommend solutions.
Step 8: Reinstall Windows
If none of the above steps have fixed your driver issue, then your only option may be to completely reinstall Windows. This should be a last resort as it will wipe your entire system, so make sure you back up all important data first. Once you’ve done this, you can reinstall Windows from either a bootable disk or a USB drive.
After Windows has been reinstalled, you should then be able to download and install the printer driver again. If this doesn’t work, then you may need to contact the manufacturer for further support.