Description: This article describes how to install the drivers for your printer.

A driver is software that allows your computer to communicate with hardware (i.e. your printer). Drivers are provided by the manufacturer of your device. Although this guide outlines the steps to install the driver for your wired or wireless printer, it can be generalized to any hardware such as a webcam, wireless card, video card etc.

Please follow all manufacturer instructions for unpacking and setting up your printer before starting to install the needed driver.

1. The most popular way of connecting a printer is using a wired connection like USB. A wireless printer uses a network to print and requires no physical connection to a computer. Let's connect the printer:
2. What method of connection does your printer use?
• I have a wired printer: Plug the power cable into a power outlet. Plug the USB connection into an available USB port on the computer (typically the back of the computer). **Note: some USB printing devices instruct you to wait to plug the USB cable in until the driver software asks you to do so check your documentation for this advice before plugging in the printer.
• I have a wireless printer: Plug the power cable into a power outlet. Ensure that the printer is powered on and all ink/toner cartridges are installed. The driver for the printer accompanies your printer's packaging contents (on a CD or DVD) or it can be obtained from the manufacturer's website.
3. How will you be installing the printer driver?
• I have a disc: Insert the disc into your CD/DVD drive.
• I do not have a disc: Printer manufacturers typically provide a free download to obtain your printer driver. When downloading a driver from a printer manufacturer's website, you will need to ensure that you select the correct operating system AND architecture for your computer: for example, Windows 7 64-bit.

Below is a non-comprehensive list of printer manufacturers and their corresponding driver websites. Click on the hyperlink to be taken to the manufacturer's driver website where your printer model can be selected:

Brother

Canon

Dell

Epson

HP

Lexmark

Samsung

*NOTE: If your printer manufacturer is not listed, contact your printer manufacturer for more information.

4. Initiate the driver installation wizard by running the disc installer or double-clicking on the file downloaded. This process will vary depending on your printer manufacturer. If you experience an issue during the software installation, please read below:

There is no driver installation window: Verify that the disc is inserted in the CD / DVD drive and the driver installation window will automatically start. If the file was downloaded from the manufacturer's website, go to the folder location where the files resides and double-click on it. Accept any User Account Control (UAC) prompts to allow the program to make changes to your computer. Try restarting your computer and confirm the aforementioned above is true.

I am stuck in the installation window: Ensure that the printer is connected to your computer as you may see the message "Please connect your printer now". Enter any information requested as you may see the message "Please type in your IP address". Click a progress button such as "Next", "Forward" or "Finish". If there is a download or installation in progress, wait a few moments to allow the installation to continue.

The printer does not print: Ensure the printer is connected before printing. Ensure that the ink or toner cartridge was installed properly. Ensure that the correct printer driver is being installed (confirm your printer model and operating system first). Print a test page for confirmation.

5. After printer installation, a calibration page or test page may be printed. Your printer is now installed.