How to Set Up a Printer Without a CD

Your printer requires driver software to function

Although your printer most likely came with an installation CD, that doesn't mean you will be able to locate it on a moment's notice. Due to the fragile nature of CD media and the need for printer software to be installed on multiple machines, many manufacturers publish their installation drivers online. A quick trip to the manufacturer's technical support website will resolve most driver problems.

Things You'll Need

• Internet access.
• Printer's manufacturer name.
• Printer's model number.

Instructions

1. Identify the manufacturer name and model of printer you are trying to configure. The manufacturer's name is likely listed on the casing, while the model number may be on a tag underneath the printer.

2. Visit the printer manufacturer's support website. This will be listed in any instructional material you received with the machine. If you can't locate these documents, use a search engine to find the company's website.

3. Look for the "Drivers" or "Software" section of the company's support site and open it.

4. Browse or search for your printer's model name. An example of a printer model is the Lexmark X215. If the website allows you to search by serial number, enter it in the search box.

5. Look at the compatibility section of the results and find your computer's operating system. If your operating system is not listed, try selecting the driver for the most recent platform. For example, if you use Windows 7 select the Vista driver if it is the only one available.

6. Download the "print driver." Supplementary drivers for a multifunction printer, such as fax and scanner drivers, may need to be downloaded separately.

7. Install the drivers and reconnect your printer; it should be automatically detected by the operating system.

Tips & Warnings

• If you still can't locate your driver, unsupported websites such as http://www.driverguide.com and http://www.driverzone.com maintain large listings of drivers for various hardware components, including printers. Just search for your manufacturer and model.

• If your driver does not work, browse the documents on the support site for your printer or contact the manufacturer's technical support department. They will have more information on device compatibility with your operating system.

References

• Microsoft: Tips for fixing common driver problems