Software

How to update your printer driver on Windows and Mac

6 min read · Updated · PrinterErrors editorial team

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When you should update the driverWindows: update via Windows UpdateWindows: install the manufacturer's full driver packagemacOS: keep the system updated and re-add the printerGet the driver from the right placeAfter updating

When you should update the driver

The printer driver is the software that lets your computer talk to the printer. When it is out of date, corrupt, or the wrong one for your model, jobs fail silently, pages come out garbled, or the printer refuses to appear. Updating the driver is one of the first things to try for these symptoms.

Exact menu names vary by operating-system version, so treat the paths below as general routes rather than exact labels. Update the driver when you see any of these signs:

01A “driver is unavailable” or “driver error” message next to the printer.
02Output looks wrong: garbled text, wrong fonts, missing graphics, or the wrong page size.
03The printer stopped working after a Windows or macOS upgrade.
04A brand-new printer is not detected, or only appears as a “generic” device.

Windows: update via Windows Update

For many printers, Windows Update delivers a working driver automatically. This is the simplest route and worth trying first.

01Open Settings › Windows Update and choose “Check for updates”.
02Install anything offered, then look under “Advanced options › Optional updates › Driver updates” for a printer driver and install it if listed.
03Alternatively, open Device Manager, expand “Printers” or “Print queues”, right-click your printer and choose “Update driver › Search automatically for drivers”.
04Restart the computer if prompted, then send a test print.

Windows: install the manufacturer's full driver package

If Windows Update does not have the right driver, or you need the full feature set (scanning, ink levels, maintenance tools), download the model-specific package from the maker’s official support site.

If you are reinstalling because the current driver is broken, remove the old one first so the new install starts clean.

01On the maker’s official support site, enter your exact model number and download the recommended driver/software for your Windows version.
02To remove a broken driver first: Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners, select the printer and choose “Remove”, then run the maker’s uninstall tool if one is provided.
03Run the downloaded installer and follow the prompts; connect by USB or Wi-Fi when it asks.
04Restart and print a test page to confirm the new driver works.

macOS: keep the system updated and re-add the printer

On a Mac, printer software usually arrives through the operating system. Keeping macOS up to date and re-adding the printer is enough for most AirPrint-capable models. Menu names differ between macOS versions (System Settings vs. the older System Preferences).

01Open System Settings › General › Software Update and install any available updates. These include printer software.
02Go to System Settings › Printers & Scanners, select the printer, choose “Remove Printer”, then add it again with the “+” button and pick the AirPrint or updated entry.
03If you need full features (scanning, utilities) and macOS does not provide them, download the maker’s macOS software for your exact model from their official site.
04Send a test print to confirm.

Get the driver from the right place

Always download drivers from the printer manufacturer’s official support site for your exact model, or let the operating system fetch them through Windows Update or macOS Software Update. Avoid third-party “driver updater” utilities. They often bundle unwanted software and can install the wrong driver, which causes more problems than it solves.

After updating

Once the new driver is installed, a quick reset confirms it took effect and clears anything stuck from the old one.

01Restart both the computer and the printer.
02Remove the printer and add it again so it binds to the new driver, then print a test page.
03If jobs still fail, clear the print queue and restart the print spooler, then try once more.
04If it still will not print after that, run a guided diagnosis for a next step tailored to your symptom.

Frequently asked questions

How do I fix “printer driver is unavailable”?

Update the driver through Windows first: in Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners, select your printer, then Manage, then Update driver. If Windows can’t find a suitable driver, download one from the printer maker’s support site that matches your Windows version and your system type (32-bit or 64-bit). If the message stays, remove the printer, restart the PC and add it again. This message has its own step-by-step page, listed under Related problems.

How do I update a printer driver on Windows 11?

Select Start › Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners, select your printer, then Manage, then Update driver, and follow the on-screen instructions. If Windows doesn’t find a suitable driver, download one from the printer manufacturer’s support website made for Windows 11 and for your system type (32-bit or 64-bit), install it and restart your PC.

How do I roll back a printer driver in Windows?

Use Device Manager: select Start, type Device Manager and open it, expand Printers or Print queues, right-click your printer and select Properties. On the Driver tab, select Roll Back Driver (if it’s available), then restart your PC. This is worth trying when the problem started after a recent driver update.

PEPrinterErrors editorial teamUpdated
PrinterErrors editorial team

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