Updated: 02/01/2021 by Computer Hope Show
A computer printer does not work until you install the included drivers and software. If you have lost the CD for your printer, you can download the drivers for your printer and use them to install your printer. A listing of printer manufacturers and links to their associated driver download pages are on our printer drivers page. Are all printers the same?Although not all printers are the same, this page helps with all printer brands (e.g., Brother, Canon, HP, Lexmark, and Sharp) and their models (e.g., DeskJet, LaserJet, Photosmart, etc.). This page can also help you whether you have an inkjet printer and laser printer. Connecting the printer to the computerConnect the printer to the computer either using a USB cable, parallel port cable, or SCSI cable, and then connect the power plug to a power outlet. Today, most home computer printers are using a USB cable similar to the example picture. Note A laptop computer works the same way as a desktop and can use any of the above connections if they are available. Note Smartphone and tablet users must have a printer that connects to devices wirelessly or over the Internet to print. Turning on a printerAfter connecting the printer to the computer, it can be turned on using the power button on the front of the printer. Typically the power button is on the front right corner of the printer. However, the button placement depends on the type of printer you have. Older laser printers may even have a power switch in one of the back bottom corners of the printer. Setup printer and install softwareAfter connecting the printer and turning it on, you'll need 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 system.
Computer with no CD, DVD, or disc driveIf your computer does not have a disc drive or you lost the CD, you can download the software for your printer from the manufactures printer's driver page. Once the drivers are downloaded, you can run the file to install the drivers. No drivers available for my operating systemNewer operating systems may not support all older printers. For example, Windows 10 may not support a printer that was made years before it was released. If drivers are not listed on a printers' driver page, your operating system or your versions of Windows does not support that printer. You can try installing an earlier version of operating system drivers, and it may work. However, for full support, consider getting a new printer. Installing a printer only using the driversIf you only want the printer to be installed and none of the extra software programs, you can only install the printer driver by following the steps below. Tip A listing of printer drivers and software is on our printer drivers page. Note If you have installed the printer doing the above steps, these steps should not be necessary unless you encountered errors.
Does a printer require drivers?Yes. For a printer to communicate and work with the computer and its operating system, it requires a driver to be installed. In some situations, you can use a generic printer driver included with the operating system, 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 printerAfter installing the printer, you can use Windows to print a self-test page to help verify the printer is working. Microsoft Windows users
If the printer can print a test 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. {"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"articleState":{"article":{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-26T23:01:56+00:00","modifiedTime":"2016-03-26T23:01:56+00:00","timestamp":"2022-06-22T19:30:37+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Technology","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33512"},"slug":"technology","categoryId":33512},{"name":"Electronics","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33543"},"slug":"electronics","categoryId":33543},{"name":"Printers & Scanners","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33552"},"slug":"printers-scanners","categoryId":33552}],"title":"How to Set Up a Printer for Your Laptop","strippedTitle":"how to set up a printer for your laptop","slug":"how-to-set-up-a-printer-for-your-laptop","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"To use a printer with your laptop, you must first set it up. A few laptops still feature a printer port, but most use a regular USB port. Plug in the printer, a","noIndex":0,"noFollow":0},"content":"<p>To use a printer with your laptop, you must first set it up. A few laptops still feature a printer port, but most use a regular USB port.</p>\n<ol class=\"level-one\">\n <li><p class=\"first-para\">Plug in the printer, and ensure that it’s turned off.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">Also, set up the printer with ink and paper according to the directions that came with the printer.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\">Connect a USB cable to the printer and to your laptop.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">Or, you can plug a standard printer cable into the printer’s I/O panel or into your laptop’s port replicator or docking station.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\">Turn on the printer.</p>\n </li>\n</ol>\n<p>Windows should instantly recognize the printer. Then, because you’re using a USB printer, it knows the printer’s name and brand, and it even installs software for you, setting everything up just so.</p>\n<p>When you’re using the older printer-port type of printer, you’ll probably have to use some kind of software installation disc.</p>\n<p class=\"EndOfSteps\">After the printer has been set up and recognized by Windows, you can either print or save some energy and turn the printer off. You can even disconnect it when you don’t need it. Reconnecting the printer simply reactivates its support in Windows.</p>\n<p class=\"Remember\">Printers work by using a <i>driver</i><i>,</i> which is a software program that controls the printer.</p>","description":"<p>To use a printer with your laptop, you must first set it up. A few laptops still feature a printer port, but most use a regular USB port.</p>\n<ol class=\"level-one\">\n <li><p class=\"first-para\">Plug in the printer, and ensure that it’s turned off.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">Also, set up the printer with ink and paper according to the directions that came with the printer.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\">Connect a USB cable to the printer and to your laptop.</p>\n<p class=\"child-para\">Or, you can plug a standard printer cable into the printer’s I/O panel or into your laptop’s port replicator or docking station.</p>\n </li>\n <li><p class=\"first-para\">Turn on the printer.</p>\n </li>\n</ol>\n<p>Windows should instantly recognize the printer. Then, because you’re using a USB printer, it knows the printer’s name and brand, and it even installs software for you, setting everything up just so.</p>\n<p>When you’re using the older printer-port type of printer, you’ll probably have to use some kind of software installation disc.</p>\n<p class=\"EndOfSteps\">After the printer has been set up and recognized by Windows, you can either print or save some energy and turn the printer off. You can even disconnect it when you don’t need it. Reconnecting the printer simply reactivates its support in Windows.</p>\n<p class=\"Remember\">Printers work by using a <i>driver</i><i>,</i> which is a software program that controls the printer.</p>","blurb":"","authors":[],"primaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":33552,"title":"Printers & Scanners","slug":"printers-scanners","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/33552"}},"secondaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"tertiaryCategoryTaxonomy":{"categoryId":0,"title":null,"slug":null,"_links":null},"trendingArticles":null,"inThisArticle":[],"relatedArticles":{"fromBook":[],"fromCategory":[{"articleId":206970,"title":"How to Calibrate Inkjet Printer Cartridges","slug":"how-to-calibrate-inkjet-printer-cartridges","categoryList":["technology","electronics","printers-scanners"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/206970"}},{"articleId":206816,"title":"How to Use a Scanner","slug":"how-to-use-a-scanner","categoryList":["technology","electronics","printers-scanners"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/206816"}},{"articleId":206747,"title":"How to Clean Inkjet Printer Cartridges","slug":"how-to-clean-inkjet-printer-cartridges","categoryList":["technology","electronics","printers-scanners"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/206747"}},{"articleId":206052,"title":"How to Install a Printer","slug":"for-seniors-how-to-install-a-printer-for-your-computer","categoryList":["technology","electronics","printers-scanners"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/206052"}},{"articleId":202260,"title":"Choosing a Scanner Resolution for Photos","slug":"choosing-a-scanner-resolution-for-photos","categoryList":["technology","electronics","printers-scanners"],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/articles/202260"}}]},"hasRelatedBookFromSearch":true,"relatedBook":{"bookId":292820,"slug":"circuitbuilding-do-it-yourself-for-dummies","isbn":"9780470173428","categoryList":["technology","electronics","circuitry"],"amazon":{"default":"https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0470173424/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","ca":"https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/0470173424/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","indigo_ca":"http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-9208661-13710633?url=https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/product/0470173424-item.html&cjsku=978111945484","gb":"https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0470173424/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20","de":"https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/0470173424/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=wiley01-20"},"image":{"src":"https://catalogimages.wiley.com/images/db/jimages/9780470173428.jpg","width":250,"height":350},"title":"Circuitbuilding Do-It-Yourself For Dummies","testBankPinActivationLink":"","bookOutOfPrint":false,"authorsInfo":"\n <p><b><b data-author-id=\"9557\">H. Ward Silver</b></b> has experienced a 20-year career as an electrical engineer developing instrumentation and medical electronics. He also spent 8 years in broadcasting, both programming and engineering. In 2000, he turned to teaching and writing as a second career, producing <i>Ham Radios For Dummies</i> in 2004. He supports Seattle University’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department in laboratory instruction. He is an avid Amateur Radio operator, Extra Class, first licensed in 1972. Each month, his columns and articles can be found in the national ham radio magazine, <i>QST,</i> published by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). He is the author of the ARRL’s online courses in Antenna Design and Construction, Analog Electronics, and Digital Electronics. When not in front of a computer screen, you will find him working on his mandolin technique and compositions.</p>","authors":[{"authorId":9557,"name":"H. Ward Silver","slug":"h-ward-silver","description":" <b>H. Ward Silver</b> has experienced a 20-year career as an electrical engineer developing instrumentation and medical electronics. He also spent 8 years in broadcasting, both programming and engineering. In 2000, he turned to teaching and writing as a second career, producing <i>Ham Radios For Dummies</i> in 2004. He supports Seattle University’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department in laboratory instruction. He is an avid Amateur Radio operator, Extra Class, first licensed in 1972. Each month, his columns and articles can be found in the national ham radio magazine, <i>QST,</i> published by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). He is the author of the ARRL’s online courses in Antenna Design and Construction, Analog Electronics, and Digital Electronics. When not in front of a computer screen, you will find him working on his mandolin technique and compositions.","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9557"}}],"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/books/292820"}},"collections":[],"articleAds":{"footerAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_adhesion_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{"key":"cat","values":["technology","electronics","printers-scanners"]},{"key":"isbn","values":[null]}]\" id=\"du-slot-62b36dddeaa2d\"></div></div>","rightAd":"<div class=\"du-ad-region row\" id=\"article_page_right_ad\"><div class=\"du-ad-unit col-md-12\" data-slot-id=\"article_page_right_ad\" data-refreshed=\"false\" \r\n data-target = \"[{"key":"cat","values":["technology","electronics","printers-scanners"]},{"key":"isbn","values":[null]}]\" 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To use a printer with your laptop, you must first set it up. A few laptops still feature a printer port, but most use a regular USB port. Plug in the printer, and ensure that it’s turned off. Also, set up the printer with ink and paper according to the directions that came with the printer. Connect a USB cable to the printer and to your laptop. Or, you can plug a standard printer cable into the printer’s I/O panel or into your laptop’s port replicator or docking station. Turn on the printer. Windows should instantly recognize the printer. Then, because you’re using a USB printer, it knows the printer’s name and brand, and it even installs software for you, setting everything up just so. When you’re using the older printer-port type of printer, you’ll probably have to use some kind of software installation disc. After the printer has been set up and recognized by Windows, you can either print or save some energy and turn the printer off. You can even disconnect it when you don’t need it. Reconnecting the printer simply reactivates its support in Windows. Printers work by using a driver, which is a software program that controls the printer. |