How to Uninstall & Install a New Printer Driver

A device driver translates data between the operating system and the hardware installed to the computer. If the printer does not respond, or displays errors when you try to print a document, the problem may be related to the driver. If the driver was not installed correctly the first time, or if the driver is corrupted or out of date, the printer will fail to interact with the PC. To troubleshoot your printer and its driver, first uninstall the old driver from your computer, and then install the most recent driver to your PC.

Instructions

1. Disconnect the printer from the computer. Click "Start", and then "Control Panel". Double-click "Printers", or click "Hardware and Sound", and then "Printers.

2. Select the printer driver you want to uninstall. Select the ">>" icon on the toolbar, and then click "Delete this printer".

3. Click "Yes" at the prompt. Windows will remove the printer and its driver from your computer.

4. Open your Web browser and go to the printer manufacturer's website. Look up your printer in the list of products, then download the appropriate drivers or software.

5. Double-click the file you downloaded from the manufacturer's website to launch the installation wizard. Follow the onscreen instructions to install the printer's driver to your computer.

6. Restart your computer to save your changes. Reconnect your printer to your PC once the computer boots.

References

• Microsoft: Add or Remove a Printer