Reinstall Printer Drivers on Windows 10

Reinstalling a printer driver can fix printing failures, connection problems, or a printer that Windows no longer recognizes correctly. Before you begin, identify the printer’s make and model and check whether it connects by USB, Wi-Fi, or Ethernet; you may need to remove the existing device and install a fresh driver.

What You’ll Need

A Windows 10 PC with an administrator account.
Your printer’s make and exact model number, usually printed on the printer or shown on its information screen.
An internet connection if you need to download a driver.
A USB cable for a USB-connected printer, or access to the same network as a wireless or Ethernet printer.
The printer’s setup instructions or network details, if you need to reconnect it to Wi-Fi.

Step-by-Step

Check the connection and record the model. Turn the printer on and note whether it is connected by USB or to your network. Find its full model name and, if relevant, its network name or address. If other computers can print to it, the printer and network are likely working; the issue may be specific to this Windows PC.
Download the correct driver before removing the old one. Open the printer manufacturer’s support website and search for the exact model. Select Windows 10 and the correct system type if the site asks. To check your system type, open Settings > System > About and look under System type. Download the driver or full software package, but do not run it yet unless its instructions say otherwise. Avoid third-party driver-download sites.
Remove the printer in Settings. Open Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners. Select the printer, choose Remove device, and confirm. If you have several printers with similar names, double-check the model and connection before removing one. This removes the printer from Windows; it does not physically uninstall or reset the printer.
Uninstall the printer software if needed. If the manufacturer’s driver package is listed separately, open Settings > Apps > Apps & features, select the software for that printer, and choose Uninstall. Follow the prompts. You can skip this if there is no matching software entry. Restart Windows after uninstalling, especially if the old driver was recently updated or an uninstall prompt requests a restart.
Install the downloaded driver. Run the installer you downloaded and follow its prompts. Connect the USB cable only when the installer asks, unless the instructions say to connect it first. For a network printer, choose the network connection option and make sure the printer and PC are on the same network. If Windows asks for permission to install software, confirm only if you obtained the installer from the manufacturer’s support site.
Add the printer if the installer does not do it. Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners and select Add a printer or scanner. Wait for Windows to search. Select your printer when it appears and choose Add device. If it does not appear, use The printer that I want isn’t listed and follow the available options for a network or manually added printer. Menu choices can vary depending on your Windows setup.
Set it as the default and print a test page. Select the printer in Printers & scanners. If Windows manages your default printer, turn off Let Windows manage my default printer before selecting Set as default, if that option is shown. Open the printer’s management or printer properties options and choose Print a test page if available. You can also test from a simple document.

Common Mistakes

Choosing a similar but incorrect model: Numbers and letters at the end of a model name can indicate different printers. Match the full model exactly.
Installing a driver for the wrong Windows type: Check whether Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit in Settings > System > About. Do not assume the PC’s processor type tells you which installer to select.
Using a generic driver too soon: Windows may install a basic driver that prints but lacks scanning, finishing, or maintenance options. Use the manufacturer’s package when those functions matter.
Connecting a network printer to a different network: The printer and PC generally need to be able to communicate on the same local network. A guest network or network isolation setting may prevent discovery.
Removing the wrong printer: If Windows lists duplicate or similarly named devices, check the connection or print queue before removing anything.

Tips

Save the installer somewhere easy to find, such as Downloads, and keep it until you have confirmed printing and any needed scanning features work.
For wireless setup, use the printer’s control panel or setup instructions to confirm it is connected to Wi-Fi before searching for it in Windows.
If you use the printer from multiple Windows PCs, reinstalling its driver on one computer does not update the others.
After installation, check Settings > Windows Update for available updates if Windows still reports a driver issue. Restart if prompted.

Troubleshooting

Windows cannot find the printer: Confirm it is powered on and not showing an error, then check the USB connection or network connection. For USB, try another port and connect directly to the PC rather than through a hub. For network printing, verify the printer and PC are on the same network, then search again.

The installer cannot detect a USB printer: Close the installer, disconnect the cable, restart the PC and printer, then run the installer again and reconnect the cable when instructed. If detection still fails, try a different cable or USB port.

The driver will not install: Confirm that the download matches the printer model and Windows system type. If the file is compressed, extract it first; if it is an installer, right-click it and choose Run as administrator. Remove an incomplete installation through Settings > Apps, restart, and try again.

The printer is installed but jobs do not print: Check the printer’s screen for paper, ink, toner, or connection warnings. In Windows, open the printer queue and cancel stuck jobs, then try a test page. Make sure the correct printer is selected in the program you are printing from.

Windows keeps using a generic driver: Run the manufacturer’s installer after removing the printer, or add the printer again after installation. If the support site does not offer a Windows 10 package for your model, Windows Update may provide a compatible driver; some advanced functions may not be available.

Nothing works after reinstalling: Restart the PC and printer, then check the manufacturer’s setup instructions for model-specific connection steps. If it is a shared or managed printer, ask the network or device administrator whether access or a specific driver is required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will reinstalling the driver delete documents or printer settings?
It does not delete your documents. Removing the printer can clear its Windows device entry, and uninstalling its software may remove related preferences, so note any settings you need to restore.

Can Windows 10 install the driver automatically?
Often, yes. Use Add a printer or scanner or check Windows Update. A manufacturer’s driver may be needed for scanning, maintenance tools, or other model-specific features.

Should I unplug the printer before uninstalling the driver?
For USB printers, disconnecting it can help prevent Windows from immediately detecting it again, but follow the installer’s instructions. For network printers, leave it connected and powered on.

Do I need to reinstall the printer driver after a Windows update?
Not usually. Try reinstalling only if printing or printer features stop working, or Windows reports a driver problem.

Where can I find my printer’s exact model?
Check the label on the printer, its display, or its original setup information. The name shown in Windows may be shortened, so verify it against the physical model.

Is a driver the same as printer software?
A driver lets Windows communicate with the printer. A software package may also include scanning, maintenance, or setup tools; these extras are not always required for basic printing.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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