Technical difficulties with printers can be a source of major frustration. If your printer is not working correctly or is not being recognized by your computer, it's time to look for a driver for your printer.
In this tutorial, we’ll cover how to find the printer driver for a printer that’s not being recognized. We’ll look at how to find the exact model number of your printer and then find the necessary driver. We’ll also cover troubleshooting tips and helpful resources.
Determining Your Printer's Model Number
The first step in looking for a driver for a printer that's not being recognized is finding the exact model number of your printer. The model number is typically found on the back of the printer itself, or on a sticker or label on the front or side of the printer.
Finding the Driver
Once you have the exact model number of your printer, you can start searching for the driver download. The manufacturer's website may have the driver available for download and installation. For example, if your printer is a HP, visit the HP Support website and search for the model number.
Other Resources
If you’re unable to find the specific driver for your printer on the manufacturer's website, there are several other websites where you can find drivers. Websites such as Driver Guide and DriverFinder offer a wide range of drivers for different printers.
Another useful resource for finding drivers for printers and other devices is to try a Google search for the printer driver.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you're still having difficulty finding a driver for your not-recognized printer, try these troubleshooting tips.
- Check the manufacturer's website for an update to the driver you're trying to find
- Make sure you're downloading the correct driver for your specific operating system
- Ask for help in online forums such as Stack Overflow
FAQ
Does Windows 10 have built-in printer drivers?
Yes, Windows 10 has a selection of built-in printer drivers that support devices like popular Brother, Epson, Canon, or HP printers. If your device is not listed among the built-in printer drivers, you may need to download and install a third-party driver.
What is the difference between a print driver and a scanner driver?
A print driver allows a computer to communicate with a printer, allowing you to print documents, photos, and other documents. A scanner driver allows a computer to communicate with a scanner and scan documents, photos, and other documents.
What if I can't find the exact model number of my printer?
If you can't find the exact model number of your printer, the best advice is to search the manufacturer's website or other third-party websites for compatible drivers. Many websites have driver search tools where you can enter the manufacturer and model of your printer and find the right driver.
What if the printer driver I downloaded is not compatible with my operating system?
If the printer driver you downloaded is not compatible with your system, there are two possible solutions. First, try to find an updated driver for your printer from the manufacturer's website. If you can't find an updated driver, you may need to download and install a modified driver from a third-party website.
What do I need to do if I get a "printer not recognized" error?
If you get a "printer not recognized" error, it could mean that either your printer does not have the necessary driver installed, or that the driver installed is not compatible with your version of Windows. First, check to make sure your printer driver is up to date. If it's not, you may need to download a new driver. If the problem persists, you may need to contact the manufacturer's website or a third-party website for help.