How to fix and install a estimator printer

Updated: 02/01/2021 past Computer Hope

Canon printer

A computer printer does non piece of work until yous install the included drivers and software. If yous have lost the CD for your printer, you tin download the drivers for your printer and use them to install your printer. A list of printer manufacturers and links to their associated driver download pages are on our printer drivers folio.

Are all printers the same?

Although not all printers are the same, this page helps with all printer brands (e.m., Brother, Canon, HP, Lexmark, and Abrupt) and their models (eastward.g., DeskJet, LaserJet, Photosmart, etc.). This page tin can too help you whether you have an inkjet printer and laser printer.

Connecting the printer to the reckoner

USB ports on a laptop computer.

Connect the printer to the figurer either using a USB cablevision, parallel port cable, or SCSI cable, and and then connect the power plug to a power outlet. Today, most abode computer printers are using a USB cable similar to the case picture.

Note

A laptop computer works the same way as a desktop and can apply any of the above connections if they are available.

Notation

Smartphone and tablet users must have a printer that connects to devices wirelessly or over the Cyberspace to print.

Turning on a printer

Afterwards connecting the printer to the computer, it tin can be turned on using the power button on the front of the printer. Typically the ability button is on the front right corner of the printer. However, the push placement depends on the blazon of printer yous accept. Older laser printers may even have a power switch in one of the back bottom corners of the printer.

Setup printer and install software

After connecting the printer and turning it on, you'll demand to install the printer's software and drivers. Every printer should come with the software used to install a printer in Windows or your operating organization.

  1. Afterwards everything is plugged in, plow on the computer.
  2. Insert the CD that came with the printer. If the CD does not automatically first, open My Computer, double-click the CD drive, and and so click the Setup or Install file. If you have downloaded the drivers, run the downloaded setup file.
  3. Follow the installation wizard, and in one case completed, your software is installed.
  4. Test the printer to make sure it is working.

Figurer with no CD, DVD, or disc drive

If your computer does not have a disc drive or you lot lost the CD, y'all can download the software for your printer from the articles printer's commuter page. Once the drivers are downloaded, you can run the file to install the drivers.

No drivers available for my operating organisation

Newer operating systems may not support all older printers. For case, Windows 10 may non support a printer that was made years earlier it was released. If drivers are not listed on a printers' commuter page, your operating system or your versions of Windows does not support that printer. You can attempt installing an earlier version of operating arrangement drivers, and it may piece of work. Nevertheless, for full support, consider getting a new printer.

Installing a printer just using the drivers

If you but want the printer to exist installed and none of the extra software programs, you lot tin only install the printer commuter by following the steps below.

Tip

A list of printer drivers and software is on our printer drivers page.

Note

If you accept installed the printer doing the above steps, these steps should not exist necessary unless you encountered errors.

  1. Open the Command Panel with the printer connected and powered on.
  2. In the Command Panel, double-click the Printers or Printers and Fax icon.
  3. In the Printers window, click the Add together a printer icon.
  4. After completing the above steps, encounter the Windows Printer Wizard. Click Next to starting time the wizard.
  5. Next, you lot have the choice of installing a Local or Network printer. If the printer connects directly to your calculator, choose Local printer fastened to this computer and click Next.
  6. When prompted for the printer driver location, scan to the directory of your drivers or point it to the printer CD.

Does a printer crave drivers?

Yes. For a printer to communicate and work with the computer and its operating organization, it requires a driver to be installed. In some situations, y'all can use a generic printer driver included with the operating arrangement, but these generic drivers don't always work with all printers.

Tip

Although a driver is required, the extra software for the printer is rarely required for the printer to work.

Test the printer

Later installing the printer, you can use Windows to print a self-test page to aid verify the printer is working.

Microsoft Windows users

  1. Open up the Command Panel.
  2. Double-click the Devices and Printers, Printers, or Printers and Fax icon.
  3. Right-click the printer you desire to test and click Properties. If yous do not see your printer, your printer is non installed.
  4. In the Printers Properties window, click the Impress Test Folio button.
  5. If the printer tin print a test page, your printer is installed and set upward properly. However, if you cannot print in other programs, the plan you are attempting to impress from has bug.

If the printer tin impress a exam page, your printer is installed and working. You can configure other printer settings by opening the printer software or the Printers & scanners section in Windows.