To install a printer driver on Windows 10, connect and turn on your printer, then open Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners and select Add a printer or scanner. Choose your printer and select Add device. For a compatible USB printer, Windows can install the driver automatically when you connect it.
Start with automatic installation, then use Windows Update or the manufacturer's installer if setup does not finish. A downloaded driver must match your exact printer model, Windows 10, and your PC's architecture.
The short version
- Start with automatic setup: Connect and turn on a compatible USB printer so Windows can detect it and install its driver.
- For network printers: Connect the printer and PC to the same network before adding the printer.
- Check driver updates: Windows Update can offer a matching printer driver under View optional updates.
- Use the exact model: Download a compatible Windows 10 package from the printer manufacturer's support site.
| Method | When to use it | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic USB installation | First setup of a USB printer | A compatible driver Windows can install |
| Printer settings | Adding a local or network printer | A connected, discoverable printer |
| Windows Update | Installing an offered driver | A matching driver entry |
| Manufacturer installer | Installing your model's setup package | A compatible Windows 10 download |
| Manual printer wizard | Automatic discovery did not add the printer | The correct port and printer model |
| Have Disk | Installing an extracted INF driver | Compatible files for the exact model |
| Microsoft Update Catalog | A registered driver is missing from the wizard's list | A matching package to extract and install |
| Device Manager | Installing from a downloaded driver folder | A listed printer and compatible extracted files |
| Remove and re-add | Repairing an existing installation | The printer connection to add again |
Connect and turn on the printer
For a USB printer, connect it to your PC and turn it on. Allow Windows to detect the printer and install a compatible driver. If installation does not complete, continue with printer settings or the manufacturer's download.
For an Ethernet or Wi-Fi printer, connect the printer and your PC to the same network before starting installation. Once both devices are connected, add the printer through Settings using the steps below.
Add the printer through Settings
On Windows 10, open Start > Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners. Select Add a printer or scanner and let Windows discover connected printers. Select your printer, then choose Add device.
This route covers supported local and network printers. If your printer is not listed, select The printer that I want isn't listed to reach the manual installation choices. For a local printer that needs manual port and driver selection, continue with the manual wizard steps below.
Get a driver through Windows Update
On Windows 10 version 2004 and later, including 22H2, open Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Advanced options. Turn on Receive updates for other Microsoft products when you update Windows. Return to Windows Update and select Check for updates.
When optional updates are offered, open View optional updates > Driver updates. Select the entry matching your printer, then select Download and install. Restart your computer afterward.
The selectable driver name depends on your printer model, so match the entry to your device. If Windows Update does not offer an applicable driver, use a compatible package from the printer manufacturer.
Download the manufacturer's driver
Find your exact printer model on the manufacturer's support site, then choose a Windows 10 driver or setup package matching your PC's architecture. Package availability depends on the model. Check architecture compatibility and Windows 10 S-mode restrictions before using a manufacturer installer.
For HP printers, identify the model on the HP printer download page and obtain its available Windows 10 package. For Canon printers, find the model through Canon's driver download page, then select its applicable Windows 10 download. For Epson printers, select your model on Epson's printer support site, open Downloads, and choose a supported Windows 10 driver or installer.
Once the installer has downloaded, right-click it and select Open. Complete the manufacturer's setup instructions for your model. Connection prompts and agreement wording vary between packages, so follow the instructions in that installer.
If your download contains driver files to extract, use Have Disk in the printer wizard or browse to the extracted folder through Device Manager. The package must contain a compatible INF driver for your printer. Follow the corresponding steps below after extracting the files.
Add an unlisted printer manually
On Windows 10, open Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners, then select Add a printer or scanner. Select The printer that I want isn't listed, then choose Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings. Select Next to continue.
On the Choose a Printer Port page, select the port the printer uses, then select Next. On the Install the printer driver page, select the matching manufacturer and printer model. Continue through the wizard to complete installation.
When the model is missing from the driver list, select Windows Update to refresh the available manufacturers and models. If you already have a compatible extracted driver, select Have Disk instead. Do not select a different model merely because its name looks similar.
You can also reach the manual wizard through Control Panel > View devices and printers > Add Printer. Select The printer that I want isn't listed, then choose Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings. Select Next, choose the appropriate port, and select Next again. Select Windows Update to refresh the model list or Have Disk to supply an extracted driver.
Install an extracted driver with Have Disk
In the Add Printer wizard, choose the printer connection and port first. At Install the printer driver, select Have Disk. Browse to the extracted compatible driver files and select OK. Select the matching driver, then select Next and complete the wizard.
Keep the driver you select matched to the exact printer model. If you are unsure which driver your printer needs, contact the printer manufacturer.
If a registered driver is missing from the wizard's Windows Update list, search the Microsoft Update Catalog for the printer driver. Select Download for the package matching Windows 10 and your PC's architecture, then save and extract the CAB package. Install the extracted files through Have Disk; downloading the package alone does not install it.
Use Device Manager for a downloaded driver folder
You can use Device Manager when your printer is listed there and you have a compatible extracted manufacturer driver. Extract the package, right-click Start, and select Device Manager. Expand Printers or the category containing your printer.
Right-click the printer and select Update driver, then select Browse my computer for drivers. Select Browse..., choose the extracted driver folder, and select OK > Next. If the printer is not listed in Device Manager, use the printer wizard's Have Disk route.
Repair an existing printer connection
Removing the printer and adding it again might make Windows download and install the latest printer driver from Windows Update. For an existing installation that needs repair, open Windows 10 Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners. Select the printer, then select Remove device.
Add the printer again using Add a printer or scanner, then check Windows Update for an applicable driver. This reinstalls the printer connection. If automatic setup still does not complete, use a compatible manufacturer installer or the manual driver selection route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you install a Bluetooth printer through Windows 10 printer settings?
Yes, if your PC has Bluetooth and the printer supports Bluetooth printing. Turn on the printer and enable discoverable mode using its model-specific instructions, then open Windows 10 Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners > Add a printer or scanner. Select the printer and choose Add device. Bluetooth used only for Wi-Fi setup does not establish support for Bluetooth printing.
Why did Windows install Microsoft IPP Class Driver?
Windows 10 21H2 and later can use Microsoft IPP Class Driver for compatible Mopria printers connected over USB or a network, without a separate manufacturer installer. An associated Print Support App can also install automatically through Microsoft Store to customize supported printing features.
Does Device Manager search online for printer drivers?
On Windows 10 2004 and later, including 22H2, Search automatically for drivers searches your PC locally. Select Search for updated drivers on Windows Update for online drivers, then open View optional updates > Driver updates when offered. Instructions describing a direct Windows Update search inside Device Manager apply through Windows 10 1909.
Should you use the installation disc that came with the printer?
Choose a current compatible download from your printer manufacturer. Microsoft recommends current downloads because packages on installation discs can be outdated.