There are many benefits to reinstalling a printer driver on Windows. For instance, this can be used as a last resort to resolve printer spooler error, or any other recurring printer issues.
Below are the simple steps to install a USB printer on Windows 7; note that you need to download its driver package on the computer before starting with the steps.
Steps to Install Printer on Windows 7
- Press the Windows button on the keyboard, and click Devices and Printers from the Start Menu.
- In the new window, select a fax device or other printer and click Add a printer button that appears upon selection.
- In the next dialog box, click Add a local printer or one that is connected to a computer, not a network.
- A dialog box appears next prompting if you want to create a new port or use an existing one. Click Use an Existing Port, choose an available USB port, and click Next
- In the screen that appears next, choose how you are going to install the printer driver.
If Windows 7 has Listed the Printer
If your computer has mentioned your printer brand in the list of printers, you can choose the respective printer manufacturer from the left side of the screen and its model from the right.
If both the manufacturer and printer model is listed, you need to select both and follow the on-screen instructions to complete driver installation.
However, not all printer models may appear even if the printer brand is listed, so you may have to install the downloaded driver package or do that using its driver CD.
If you have the printer driver CD, insert it in your computer’s CD Drive, and click on the Have Disk button. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
If you do not have a driver CD, close the open windows, and download the driver from the printer manufacturer website to manually install the setup file.
If the downloaded file of printer driver is a zip, unzip it, and open the setup file to install the printer as per the instructions.
FAQs
How do I know if my USB printer is compatible with Windows 7?
You can check the printer manufacturer’s website to see if they offer drivers for Windows 7. Alternatively, you can check the Windows 7 compatibility center to see if your printer is listed as compatible.
Where can I find the USB printer driver for Windows 7?
You can find the USB printer driver on the printer manufacturer’s website or on the Windows Update website. If the driver is not available, you may need to use the default driver that comes with Windows 7.
How do I install the USB printer driver on Windows 7?
To install the USB printer driver on Windows 7, connect the printer to your computer, go to “Devices and Printers” in the Control Panel, select “Add a Printer”, and follow the prompts to install the driver.
What should I do if the USB printer driver installation fails?
If the USB printer driver installation fails, you can try updating the driver manually or using the Windows Update website. You can also try restarting your computer or reinstalling the printer software.
Can I use a USB printer on Windows 7 without installing the driver?
In most cases, you will need to install the USB printer driver on Windows 7 in order to use the printer. However, if Windows 7 has a built-in driver for your printer, you may be able to use it without installing additional software.
