Printer Firmware Updates: Why They Matter and How to Install

Why firmware updates matter

Firmware is the software stored inside the printer itself. It controls the print engine, scanner, network behavior, and power management. Printer drivers, by contrast, live on your computer and translate documents into commands the printer understands. Updating one does not update the other. If you want the full picture of the software that talks to your printer, see our guide to updating printer drivers.

A firmware update can fix bugs, improve compatibility, and close security issues. Printers sit on the same network as your computers, so an unpatched printer can become a weak point. Keeping firmware current is a basic part of printer security; our printer security settings guide explains the settings you should review alongside updates.

The printing industry has moved toward standards-based printing. The Printer Working Group (PWG), whose members include printer manufacturers, operating system providers, and print server developers, creates the network protocols that let printers work across platforms. Its IPP Everywhere standard lets personal computers and mobile devices find and print to networked and USB printers without vendor-specific software. The group reports that 98% of printers sold today support the IPP/2.0 and DNS-SD requirements behind that standard. When firmware falls behind, a printer can miss those protocol improvements; our network protocols guide explains which standards matter when you shop.

• Security fixes for the web interface, network services, and connection handling.
• Compatibility with newer versions of Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS printing services.
• Support for standards such as IPP Everywhere and Mopria mobile printing.
• Fixes for Wi-Fi, scanning, and paper handling bugs.
• Power management behavior and factory energy settings.

How to check your current firmware version

Before you update, find out what version is installed. The easiest place is the printer's control panel: the version is usually under a menu called About, System, Information, or Maintenance. Another option is to open the printer's web interface from a browser. If you do not know the printer's address, see how to find your printer IP address and how to use the printer web interface.

Once you have the version, visit the manufacturer's support page for your model family and look for the firmware section. Compare the version on the page with the one in your printer. If a newer release exists, read the release notes first; they usually list the bugs fixed and the features added. Support policies vary by maker and model, so the support page is the authority on whether your printer is still getting updates.

Newer printers often show the version in the maker's utility or mobile app, and those tools can also tell you when an update is available. Standards-based mobile printing relies on products talking to each other cleanly: Mopria, the alliance behind common mobile printing standards, notes that Windows supports Mopria certified printers and that Chromebook supports Mopria scan technology. A printer with current firmware is more likely to work cleanly with those services.

Precautions before you update

Firmware updates are routine maintenance, but they are not instant. If power is lost or the printer is disconnected in the middle of an update, the firmware can be left incomplete. That is why instructions tell you not to interrupt the process. Use a stable power source and keep the printer connected until it reports success.

If your printer can export a configuration file, save one before updating. Many web interfaces include a backup or export option for settings. If the update resets menus to factory defaults, you can restore your network settings, paper options, and energy choices instead of re-entering them by hand.

How to update: step-by-step methods

The exact steps depend on your model, but most printers offer at least one of several paths: the web interface, a manufacturer utility or mobile app, or a downloaded firmware file applied over USB. Start with the printer on a stable power source and with no active print jobs in the queue.

Web interface method: open a browser, type the printer's IP address, and log in with the administrator password. Look for a menu labeled Firmware Update, Update, or Maintenance, then follow the prompts. If the printer is on Wi-Fi and the update is large, connect it with an Ethernet cable when possible, or move it closer to the router. A stable connection matters more than speed.

Utility and mobile app method: install the manufacturer's printer app or utility for your operating system, open the printer's settings, and select Check for Updates or Firmware Update. The utility downloads the file and sends it to the printer. This path is common on consumer models and usually requires the least manual work. If the printer is not connected yet, see the connect your printer to Wi-Fi guide before you start.

Downloaded file method: some models, especially older business printers, ask you to download a firmware file to your computer, put it on a USB drive, and start the update from the control panel. The manual states the file format and folder structure. Keep the drive connected and the printer powered on until the display reports success.

What to do after a firmware update

Let the printer restart and return to its idle state. Then check the firmware version again and compare it with the release you installed. If the version matches, the update succeeded. If not, run the update once more or look at the printer error codes guide for messages that point to a cause.

Review the printer's settings. An update can reset menus to factory defaults, including network names, sleep timers, and default paper options. ENERGY STAR notes that certified printers are often set to their maximum energy-saving performance as the factory default and recommends keeping those settings engaged. If your printer's power options change after an update, re-enable the ones you want; the eco-mode printers guide covers the choices.

Confirm that your computers and mobile devices can still print. Because firmware controls how the printer advertises itself on the network, you may need to remove and re-add the printer after a large update. If you print from phones, make sure the printer still appears in your mobile printing tools. The standards behind those tools, such as IPP Everywhere, are maintained by the Printer Working Group, and updated firmware keeps the printer compatible with them.

Finally, update your drivers if the release notes ask for it. A firmware update does not update the printer driver on your computer. They are separate pieces of software, and some features work only when both are current. See our printer driver update guide for that side of the process.

When firmware updates stop

No printer is supported forever. Over time, manufacturers stop issuing updates for older models, often because the hardware cannot support newer standards or because the maker has moved on to newer product lines. A printer in that state can still print documents, but it may miss security patches and may not work with the latest operating systems or mobile printing services.

If your printer no longer receives updates and you depend on it for home office or business work, plan a replacement before it becomes a problem. Current models are more likely to support modern standards, energy-efficiency requirements, and mobile printing. Compare the latest options in our all-in-one printer guide or wireless printer guide.

When you retire an old printer, recycle it properly. The US EPA lists used electronics donation and recycling among the ways to reduce waste. Many communities accept printers at electronics collection events, so check local rules and remove any consumables before disposal.

What to pick for your use

Questions

How do I check my printer firmware version?

Look in the printer's control panel under About, System, Information, or Maintenance, or open its web interface in a browser and check the status page. The exact menu name varies by brand.

Are printer firmware updates safe?

Yes, when you follow the manufacturer's instructions and do not interrupt the process. Use a stable power source and a reliable connection. If a wireless update fails repeatedly, connect the printer with a cable or use a downloaded file.

Will a firmware update fix print quality or paper jam problems?

It can fix software-related bugs that affect paper handling, scanning, or connectivity, but many print quality problems are physical. Try the cleaning routines in the printhead cleaning guide first and check the toner or drum before assuming a firmware issue.

Do I need to update the printer driver at the same time?

Not always. Firmware runs on the printer and drivers run on your computer. If the firmware release notes mention a matching driver, install that driver after the firmware update.

What should I do if a firmware update fails?

Do not power off the printer abruptly. Check the error message on the display or in the utility, confirm the network or USB connection, and try again. If the printer is unresponsive after a failed update, look for error code guidance before attempting a factory reset.

Will a firmware update reset my printer settings?

It can. After an update, review network settings, sleep timers, and paper defaults. If your printer can export a configuration file, save one before updating so you can restore those settings afterward.