How to Update Printer Drivers in Windows and macOS

Why update printer drivers

A printer driver is the software that lets your operating system talk to the printer. It translates the document you print into commands the printer understands. Outdated drivers can cause missing features, print errors, or even security vulnerabilities. Updates often fix bugs, improve compatibility with new operating system releases, and add support for new paper sizes or finishing options.

However, you do not always need to update. Modern systems automatically keep drivers up to date through Windows Update or macOS Software Update. Manually updating is mainly useful when you encounter a specific problem, or when a manufacturer announces a fix for your model.

The driver language your printer uses matters too. For a deeper look at PCL, PostScript, and other languages, see our printer driver languages guide. If you are shopping for a new model, the best HP printers list includes many that ship with solid driver support.

Modern printers often need no vendor driver

Most printers sold today support the IPP Everywhere standard from the Printer Working Group (PWG). According to the PWG, 98 percent of all printers sold today support IPP/2.0 and DNS-SD, which lets your computer discover and print without downloading a proprietary driver. Windows and macOS are both listed as popular clients for IPP Everywhere.

The Mopria Alliance provides another driverless path. Its website notes that Windows supports Mopria certified printers. This means if your printer has either certification, you can likely skip the manufacturer's download entirely. For older models without these standards, you will need the traditional vendor driver.

The AirPrint and Mopria guide explains the differences and how to check compatibility. Remember that printer firmware is separate from drivers; keep it current with the steps in our printer firmware updates article.

Update a printer driver in Windows

In Windows, the simplest way is to use Settings. Go to Bluetooth & devices, then Printers & scanners. Select your printer, choose Manage, and look for driver options. If Windows Update has a newer driver, it will appear there and you can apply it.

For a manual update, open Device Manager, expand Print queues, right click your printer, and select Update driver. Choose "Search automatically" or "Browse my computer" if you have downloaded a driver file. Alternatively, run the installer from the manufacturer's support page, which usually handles everything.

If you are connecting a new printer, see our guide on adding a printer to Windows. You may also want to review printer OS compatibility to avoid mismatched driver versions.

Update a printer driver in macOS

macOS handles printer drivers through System Settings > Printers & Scanners. Select your printer, click Options & Supplies, then the Driver tab. macOS often displays the current driver version and can fetch updates. You can also trigger a check by deleting the printer and re-adding it, which forces the system to find the best driver.

If your printer requires a vendor package, download it from the manufacturer's site, mount the .dmg or .pkg, and run the installer. After that, restart your Mac or log out and back in. For a fresh setup, our guide on adding a printer to macOS walks through the steps.

macOS also supports IPP Everywhere directly, so check if your printer is compatible before downloading extra software. The AirPrint and Mopria guide can help you determine that.

Downloading the latest driver from the manufacturer

When you need a driver beyond what the OS provides, go directly to the printer maker's support page. Search for your exact model number, then choose the correct operating system and edition (for example, Windows 11 64-bit or macOS 14 Sonoma). Download the installer and run it after quitting other applications.

Make sure you select the right architecture. Most modern systems use 64-bit drivers, but some older devices still offer 32-bit versions. Choosing the wrong one will cause the installer to fail. After installation, restart your computer and print a test page to confirm everything works.

If you are comparing printers before you buy, look for models with IPP Everywhere or Mopria certification to avoid driver headaches later. Our best wireless printers guide lists many driverless options. If you need to remove an old driver completely, see how to uninstall and reinstall printer software.

Troubleshoot and maintain driver health

If a new driver causes problems, you can roll back the driver in Device Manager on Windows (right click the printer, Properties, Driver tab, Roll Back Driver). On macOS, deleting the printer from Printers & Scanners and re-adding it often reverts to a known-good driver.

For stubborn issues, uninstall the existing driver completely. On Windows use Apps & Features; on macOS drag the printer utility or remove the .pkg via Terminal. After cleanup, reinstall the latest driver from the manufacturer. A clean reinstall resolves many odd print behavior.

Keep your operating system current as well. Both Windows and macOS include printer driver updates in their regular releases, so enabling automatic updates reduces the chance you will need a manual driver install.

If your printer goes offline after an update, our fix offline printer guide provides step-by-step troubleshooting. Also, check the best all-in-one printers page for models known for stable driver support.

When to update manually

Although automatic updates handle most cases, you should update manually when you see a clear benefit. For example, you might update to fix a printing bug that affects your specific model, to add support for a new paper type, or to improve performance after upgrading your operating system.

Manufacturers sometimes release drivers that address specific issues reported by users. Check their support page periodically or after a major OS update. If you print important documents, it is wise to verify that your driver is current before relying on it.

Remember that a newer driver is not always better. If your printer works flawlessly, there is no need to chase every release. Only update when you have a reason, and always keep a rollback option in mind.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Do I always need to manually update printer drivers?

No. Most modern printers support driverless printing via IPP Everywhere or Mopria, so Windows and macOS can use built-in drivers. Updates come through the operating system automatically. Manually updating is only necessary when you hit a specific bug or compatibility issue.

How can I tell if my printer supports IPP Everywhere or Mopria?

Check your printer's documentation or the manufacturer's spec sheet for logos or certifications. You can also try adding the printer through the OS default method; if it works without installing extra software, it likely supports a driverless standard.

Will updating my driver erase my printer settings?

Typically no. In most cases, the update preserves your saved preferences like paper size and print quality. On rare occasions, a major driver revision may reset defaults. You can quickly reapply your settings after the update.

Why does my printer show as 'Generic' in Windows or macOS?

The system is using a generic driver because it cannot find a specific one for your model. This can happen if you installed a generic driver manually, or if the OS only has a universal class driver. For full features, you may need the manufacturer driver.

How do I roll back a bad printer driver update?

In Windows, open Device Manager, right click your printer, go to Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver. On macOS, delete the printer from Printers & Scanners, then re-add it. The OS will typically revert to the previous known-good driver.