Find and install printer drivers

If you've connected a printer that doesn't work—or mysteriously stops working—you might need to reinstall or update its driver.

Where do you find it? Start with Windows Update, the Microsoft online repository for the latest hardware drivers.

 To check Windows Update for new drivers

1. Click to open Windows Update.
2. In the left pane, click Check for updates, and then wait while Windows looks for the latest updates for your computer.
3. If optional updates are available, click Optional updates are available. (If you don't see this link, it means Windows Update didn't find any new drivers for your computer.)
4. Select the driver you want to install, click OK, and then click Install updates.  If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

If Windows Update couldn't locate an updated driver for your printer, it doesn't mean that one doesn't exist.

The next step is to search the manufacturer's support website, where companies sometimes publish new drivers before making them available to Microsoft.

Any new driver you download should install itself automatically. However, if necessary, you can also manually install a printer driver.

 To manually install a printer driver

1. Click to open Devices and Printers.
2. Right-click the printer you want to update, and then click Printer properties.
3. Click the Advanced tab.
4. Click New Driver, and then follow the instructions in the Add Printer Driver wizard.