How to Fix Printer Driver Errors on Windows & Mac

Printers are helpful machines, whether at home, in school, or at the office. But sometimes, they do stop working, which can be rather confusing. One of the more common problems is printer issues when using their computers. Usually, this happens due to a problem with the printer driver.

These drivers act like messengers. They tell your computer what your printer needs. If there’s an issue with the drivers, the printer might stop working or display odd error messages.

In this blog, we'll guide you through the steps on what to do if your printer has driver errors. On Windows or Mac, you'll find simple steps to fix your printer driver. They do not need you to be an expert of any sort. Let us install the working ability in your printer!

What Are Printer Driver Errors?

A printer driver is a small program with a printer and a computer to communicate with one another. If the driver is faulty, your computer might not send the right info to the printer. The printer could either stop working or behave unusually. A few symptoms of printer driver errors are:

The printer is not responding.
Jobs are stuck in the print queue.
The printer appears offline even though it's connected.

Simple Steps to Fix Printer Driver Errors on Windows

Facing printer driver errors on your Windows PC? Don’t stress — resolving them is simpler than it seems. Follow these easy steps to diagnose, troubleshoot, and fix printer driver issues in no time.

Step 1: Restart Your Printer and Computer

Before doing anything complicated, try this simple trick. Switch off both the printer and the computer. Wait for a minute and switch them back on. This might solve one of those frequent minor printer driver glitches. Why this works:

Someone cleared the stuck print jobs.
The team has refreshed the driver connection.
It fixes small glitches in the computer system.
For a printer not printing, a simple step might save it.

Step 2: Check Cable and Wi-Fi Connections

If the printer is USB-connected, make sure the cable is secure and not faulty. Use another cable if you can. If the printer is wireless, check:

Did the printer connect to the motherboard?
Does your computer operate within the same Wi-Fi network?

A printer can display an offline status because of weak network signals. The connection repair process could resolve specific errors that occur within the printer driver.

Step 3: Use Troubleshooter in Windows

The Printer Troubleshooter exists as a built-in tool within Windows. This tool allows Windows users to detect and fix printer driver problems without utilizing external software solutions. To use:

Click on the Start menu.
Go to Settings.
Click Devices. Under that, click Printers and Scanners.
Select your printer, and then click Manage.
Click "Run the troubleshooter."

Step 4: Update the Printer Driver on Windows

The troubleshooting tool's failure to solve the problem requires installing the newest printer driver as the solution. Your printing device will stop working properly or produce errors because drivers become outdated. To update:

Go to Start and type “Device Manager.”
Click on “Printers.”
Right-click the name of your printer.
Click on “Update Driver.”
Then select “Search automatically for updated driver software.”

Step 5: Reinstall the Printer Driver on Windows

The driver needs to be removed from your system before performing a reinstallation if the update option fails. Here are the steps to follow:

Launch "Device Manager."
Right-click on your printer's name.
Select "Uninstall device."
Restart your computer.

Windows should make an automatic attempt to reinstall the driver. If Windows doesn’t work, go to the printer company’s site. You can install the latest driver manually at that location.

Simple Steps to Fix Printer Driver Errors on Mac

Facing printer driver errors on your Mac device? Don’t worry — fixing them is easier than you think. Here are simple steps to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve printer driver issues quickly.

Step 1: Restart Your Printer and Mac

Start by turning off both your printer and your Mac. Wait for about 10 seconds, then power them back on. A quick restart can often resolve minor glitches and reset the connection between your devices, fixing temporary printer driver issues without any extra steps.

Step 2: Update the Printer Driver on the Mac

You can try updating the Mac to see if it solves the printer issues. The steps are:

Go to the Apple menu.
Choose System Preferences.
Then click on Software Update.

Step 3: Use AirPrint on Mac Devices

Now, with newer printers, you may skip the hassle of installing drivers. Mac computers come with a nifty feature called AirPrint. To print with AirPrint:

Verify if the printer is AirPrint certified.
Go ahead and get it connected to the Wi-Fi network that your Mac is using.
Add the printer under “Printers & Scanners.”

Step 4: Check for Compatibility Issues

If something changes in your operating system, you know your old driver will not work anymore. Always check that the package matches your Windows or Mac version. If not, you’ll keep facing printer driver errors. Always choose the right OS from the printer brand's website before installing the driver.

Step 5: Use Printer Software from the Manufacturer

Many printers come with certain special software tools. These can help you update printer software, troubleshoot, and fix some problems. Visit the manufacturer's website. Then, download and install the full software package for your printer. It's better than installing a basic driver. It offers extra features, too. These tools help the printer run smoothly and prevent driver errors.

Conclusion

The printer driver is the cause and the solution for driver problems. Whatever operating system you use, thinking about software is of utmost importance. Driver updates for your printer should be the priority. To fix your printer, do this: restart both devices. Next, check the connections. Make sure to remove the drivers before getting new versions from the official website.

You should always get the newest printer driver through the official website. Make sure you keep your computer system updated. Here are some easy tips to fix your printer if it won’t print, shows offline status, or gives random error messages. Windows users should start by using the built-in trouble-shooter to diagnose printer issues. You can also reset systems on a Mac to fix serious problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sometimes the driver is outdated or missing, or the installation might be broken.

Yes, some simple steps, such as restarting or updating the driver, can solve the problem.

From your printer brand's official website, you can download the correct driver.

It could be a matter of connection or driver issues.

In your computer's device settings, you may check if an update is available. Otherwise, it should present an option on your screen to upgrade the driver by itself.

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