Most operating systems can only use computer hardware once this is properly installed. This includes your brand-new printer. A printer driver is a software program that allows your computer to recognize the printer to allow you to use this for all your printing needs.

Importance of Printer Drivers

Apart from allowing you to use the printer, using the printer driver specific for your printer model would assure you that all the print outs of text documents and colored images. Many users who are unable to find the specific printer driver for their printer unit would often use drivers of printers coming from the same printer model series.

Where can I get a printer driver for my printer unit?

Windows and Macintosh operating systems are often equipped with common printer drivers in their system. This could be retrieved and used during the printer installation processes. If the driver is already included in your operating system, the computer will automatically recognize the printer and would advise you that it is ready for use.

Other places where you can get printer drivers are:

Printer package CD. When you purchase a brand new printer, you are often provided with the required printer driver in CD format. This would allow you to easily install your newly-purchased printer.

Printer company website. As part of their support page, most printer manufacturing companies provide downloadable printer drivers for the various models of their printer units.

How to Install Your Printer

Windows operating systems provide you an “Add Printer Wizard” which would guide you through the entire process. To get to the “Add Printer Wizard”:

Click the Start button
Select and click Control Panel
Select and click the icon that states “Printer and Faxes”
Double click the “Add Printer” icon

Why do problems still occur on my printer?

Even if you have installed the printer with the correct printer drivers, the same problems may still occur. If this happens, the problem may be with the way how your printer has been manufactured. The best way to go about this is to bring your printer to its authorized service center. This is to ensure that any problems will be covered by your printer’s warranty and could be addressed by experienced printer technicians.

About the Author:
This Article is written by John C Arkin from MyOfficePortal.org the contributor of Office Supplies Information & Resources. More information on the subject is at Driving Your Printer Properly, and related resources can be found at Common Printer Cartridge Errors.