Troubleshooting Tip: Update Printer Driver to Improve Performance

Printers are the type where one person who’s barely scraping by… until you absolutely, positively need them. Whether it’s printing something out at the last minute prior to a meeting or struggling with turning in an assignment, a dead or even a frozen-up printer is the furthest thing from your mind. And nine times out of ten times, the issue all boils down to one very easy fix: an old printer driver.

If your printer is not connecting to your computer, or it’s acting sluggish, misfiring, or completely ignoring commands, updating the printer driver might just save the day.

In this blog, we’ll explore:

What printer drivers actually do

How outdated drivers cause issues

Why updating your printer driver is essential

Step-by-step instructions for updating on Windows and Mac

Other fixes if your printer still refuses to cooperate

 What Is a Printer Driver, Really?

Let’s break it down.

A printer driver is tiny but essential software that acts as a middleman between your printer and computer operating system. It tells your computer how to communicate with the printer—what it can print, what it can do, and how it can handle print data.

 Without an appropriate driver:

Your computer cannot recognize the printer

You will miss out on useful features like color printing or duplex

Print jobs may fail, hang, or print randomly

So if your printer and computer aren’t communicating with each other, the very first thing you want to investigate is the driver.

 Why Printer Driver Updating Is Important

Just because your printer printed like a dream last month, don’t for a moment think that software environments stand still. A new Windows update, a macOS patch, or even a nip and tuck with antivirus settings can impact how drivers function.

Here are why you should update printer driver:

Repair Connection Issues: If your printer just vanishes from your device list, an update of your driver will likely restore it.

Make it Quick: New drivers typically add performance tweaks and bug fixes.

Make it Compatible: New OS versions often aren’t compatible with legacy drivers.

Add New Features: Sometimes companies add new features—such as AirPrint or mobile support—via driver updates.

Update Security: Certain updates close security loopholes that may be exploited by an attacker or malware.

 How to Check Your Printer Driver Is Outdated

Not sure the driver is the issue? These are a few of the common symptoms:

The printer will not attach to your computer, even when it’s connected and powered up

You get a “Driver is unavailable” or “Cannot communicate with printer” error

Your printer continues to go offline despite a stable network

You can’t see all the print settings, e.g., paper size or colour modes

Your print jobs start but don’t finish, or are stuck in the print queue

If any of the above ring a bell, it is time to update your driver version.

H2: Updating Your Printer Driver on Windows

It is easy to update your Windows printer driver. There are two primary methods of doing so: through Device Manager or from the manufacturer’s website.

H3: Method 1: Update using Device Manager

Press Windows + X and click on Device Manager

Open Printers or Print queues

Right-click on your printer and choose Update driver

Click on Search automatically for updated driver software

When a newer one is taken up by Windows, it will automatically install it

???? Tip: Reboot your computer after update so things happen.

H3: Method 2: Download from the Manufacturer’s Site

This is a more secure option, particularly when Windows fails to recognize a new driver.

Go to your printer manufacturer’s website (e.g., HP, Canon, Epson, Brother)

Go to the Support or Downloads page

Type in your printer model (most likely on a sticker on the printer)

Select your operating system version

Download new driver and install following these instructions

???? Always download from the official websites to avoid malware or driver conflict.

Upgrading Printer Drivers on macOS

macOS works slightly differently. Apple provides many drivers via Software Update, and sometimes installs them automatically.

 Method 1: Use Software Update

Open System Settings > General > Software Update

Install any update if your printer is one

Restart your Mac if necessary

 Option 2: Un-Install & Re-Install the Printer

If your printer not connecting to computer, this solution typically works:

Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners

Select the faulty printer and click Remove (-)

Click the Add (+) button to re-install it

macOS automatically installs the current driver during install time

This also resets all the broken connection settings.

 What If Upgrading the Driver Won’t Make It Work

Sometimes even when you have your driver upgraded, your printer just won’t play nice with your computer. Don’t worry—there are a few things left to try.

 1. Restart Everything

Turn off your printer and unplug the power cord for 30 seconds

Restart your computer

Replug everything and try printing again

A good ol’ reboot will fix wonky software connections.

 2. Check Cables & Wi-Fi

Double check:

USB cables properly inserted

You’ve got the right port

Wi-Fi turned on and both devices on the same network

Printer’s Wi-Fi light is steady (not flashing)

 3. Make Your Printer Default

On Windows:

Open Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners

Click on your printer and click Set as default

On macOS

Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners

Choose your printer from the Default printer dropdown

 4. Use the Troubleshooter (Windows)

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot

Choose Printer

Follow the instructions and run the tool with it

This will automatically detect and repair most connectivity problems.

 5. Make Sure System Updates

Your OS is occasionally going to need to be updated so that it can function correctly with your printer.

Windows: Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update

Mac: System Settings > Software Update

These should be installed in case they are available before trying again.

 When to Reinstall the Driver Completely

And if all of the above don’t work, then maybe it is time to uninstall and reinstall totally.

 On Windows:

Control Panel > Devices and Printers

Right-click your printer and right-click Remove device

Open Device Manager, remove the driver if it is still present

Restart PC

Download and install new driver from manufacturer’s website

 On macOS:

Remove printer from Printers & Scanners

Remove printer folder from Library/Printers

Reinstall driver and re-add printer

 Last Words: Prevention Against Driver Update Problems

Printer problems are frustrating. But most times, the solution is immediate and costless. Driver updates can take care of connectivity problems, enhance print quality, and prevent a rage fit that sees you throwing your printer out of the window.

So when your printer will not talk to your computer next time, don’t begin with cables or reinstalling the entire thing. Begin with driver updates. It is more likely to be the quickest way to have your configuration where it used to be.

Need More Help?

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Happy printing!