Top 3 Methods to Download and Update Printer Drivers on Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP

Jun. 24, 2022 / Updated by Bessie Shaw to Windows Driver Solutions

The Main Content of this article:

  • What is a Printer Driver

  • 3 Methods to Download and Update Printer Drivers

  • How to Connect to a Network Printer

  • What is a Printer Driver

    A printer driver is a computer program which ensures the smooth communication between your printer and your computer. Whenever you print a document, the printer driver converts it to specific control commands and tells the printer what and how to print. You must install the corresponding printer driver before using a printer.

    See Also:How to Successfully Upgrade to Windows 10

    3 Methods to Download and Update Printer Drivers on Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP

    Outdated, corrupted, damaged, incompatible or missing printer drivers can cause the printer connection problem. You need to regularly download and update your printer drivers on Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP. Below are 3 methods to help you do it.

    Method 1. Download Printer Drivers via Manufacturer’s Website

    Each printer brand has its own unique printer drivers to work well on different operating system. You can download updated drivers from the printer manufacturer's website, such as Brother printer drivers download, Canon printer drivers, Epson printer drivers, HP printer drivers, Hi-Ti printer drivers, Lexmark printer drivers, Panasonic printer drivers, Ricoh printer drivers, TVS printer drivers, UTAX printer drivers, Xerox printer drivers, and so on.

    Step 1. Enter your printer model.

    Step 2. Locate your exact printer product.

    Step 3. Select the right printer driver.

    Step 4. Download and install the driver.

    Step 5. Restart the computer after installing the new driver.

    Method 2. Printer Drivers Download and Update through Windows Update

    You could also use Windows Update to update your printer drivers. Once it's set up, Windows Update will download and install recommended updates for your printer automatically. Here's how to set it up:

    Step 1. Click Start.

    Step 2. Type Update in the Search bar.

    Note: Depending on your version of Windows, you may have to select All Programs from the first popup menu.

    Step 3. Click Windows Update, click Check for updates.

    Note: Depending on your version of Windows, you may have to select& Select the updates you want to install page, followed by clicking OK.

    Step 4. Click Install updates on the Windows Update page.

    Note: You may have to select View available updates and then click Install for the driver you wish to install.

    Method 3. Printer Drivers Download and Update via Drivers Updater Utility

    It is quite time-consuming to download printer drivers via the manufacturer’s website or through Windows Update, sometimes taking several hours. Besides, for some reason, it may happen that you cannot successfully install the downloaded printer drivers. Alternatively, you could use a free and professional-level driver updater utility, like Driver Talent, which could enable you to download and update printer drivers within only a few minutes, greatly saving your time and energy.

    Driver Talent could download all brands of printer drivers, such as Brother printer drivers, Canon printer drivers, Epson printer drivers, HP printer drivers, Konica Minolta printer drivers, OKI printer drivers, Xerox printer drivers, Samsung printer driver, etc.

    It comes with an easy to use interface that could make you download and update the best-matched printer drivers easily and quickly on Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP.

    Click the button below to free download Driver Talent.

    Download Now


    Below is a quick guide showing how to download and install the suitable printer drivers for you.

    1. Scan Your PC

    Launch Driver Talent. Click the “Scan” button for corrupt, damaged, incompatible missing printer drivers. It will also detect whether there are most updated printer drivers updates available.

    scan printer drivers

    2. Download and Install Printer Drivers

    Click the “Peripheral drivers” tab to enter the “Peripheral Drivers” section. The corresponding printer drivers will display. Click “Install” to instantly install the right printer driver that fits your need.

    install printer drivers

    3. Restart Your PC

    Once the printer drivers install is finished, perform a PC start to make the printer driver update come into effect.

    How to Connect to a Network Printer

    Below are the steps for connecting your desktop or laptop to a network printer on Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP.

    Step 1. Open the Control Panel

    Step 2. Click Hardware and Sound

    Step 3. Click the Add a printer icon

    Step 4. Select Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer

    Step 5. Click Next

    Sep 6. After the printer is detected by Windows, select the printer and click Next

    Note: If you know your printer's name, choose "Select a shared printer by name" and enter the path to the printer. If you have the printers IP address, select "Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname".

    Read Also: Only 3 Steps to Download & Install Network Printer Driver on Windows PC.

    Note: It is strongly recommended that backup your drivers before installing new printer drivers to avoid possible driver crashes. Drive Talent also comes with other advanced features, such drivers restore, system restore, drivers pre-download for another PC, etc.

    For more drivers download information, read also How to Free Download Drivers for Windows OS.

    The Most Common Printer Drivers

    Below is a list of the most common printer drivers that Driver Talent can download and update.

    Printer drivers for Windows 10

    Printer drivers for Windows 8.1

    Printer drivers for Windows 8

    Printer drivers for Windows 7

    Printer drivers for Windows Vista

    Printer drivers for Windows XP

    Brother printer drivers

    Canon printer drivers

    Epson printer drivers

    HP printer drivers

    Hi-Ti printer drivers

    Konica Minolta printer drivers

    Lexmark printer drivers

    Panasonic printer drivers

    Ricoh printer drivers

    Samsung printer drivers

    Seagull printer drivers

    Sharp Electronics printer drivers

    Star Micronics printer drivers

    TA Triumph-Adler AG printer drivers

    TVS printer drivers

    TallyGenicom printer drivers

    Toshiba printer drivers

    UTAX printer drivers

    WeP (Wipro) printer drivers

    Xerox printer drivers.

    OKI printer drivers

    If you have any questions about the printer drivers download and update, please make comments below the post for further assistance.



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