Issue:
Setting up or installing a printer in Microsoft Windows.
Solution:
There are two different methods a user can install a printer in Microsoft Windows. Below is additional information about each of these methods listed in the order we believe a user should try installing their printer in Microsoft Windows.
Before being able to install your printer you must have the software that was included with the printer. If you've lost the software for your printer you can download the drivers for your printer and use the drivers to install your printer. A listing of printer manufacturers and links to their associated drivers pages can be found on our printer drivers page.
Setup a printer using printer software
Every printer should come with the software used to install a printer in Windows. Although not all installations are the same the steps for installing this software should be similar to the below steps.
- Connect the printer to the computer and a power outlet and make sure it's on.
- Insert the CD that was included with the printer. If the CD does not automatically start the install program open My Computer, double-click on the CD drive, and then the Setup or Install file.
- Follow the installation wizard and your printer and its associated software should be installed successfully.
Installing a printer only using the drivers
In addition to the above steps a users can install a printer in Windows only using the printer drivers. This is recommended if you only want the printer to be installed but not the additional printer software programs that are often included with the installation and/or you've download drivers.
A listing of printer drivers and software downloads can be found through our printer drivers page.
Note: if you've installed the printer doing the above steps these steps should not be necessary unless you encountered errors.
- Connect the printer to the computer and a power outlet and make sure it's on.
- Click Start, Settings, and Control Panel.
- In the control panel double-click the Printers or Printers and Fax icon.
- In the Printers window click the Add a printer icon.
- After completing the above steps the Windows Printer Wizard will appear. Click Next, to start the wizard.
- Windows will prompt you if you're installing a Local or Network printer. If the printer is connected to your computer choose Local printer attached to this computer and click Next.
- When prompted for the location of the drivers for the printer. Browse the computer to the directory of your drivers or point it to the CD that was included with your printer.
Testing the printer
After the printer has been installed in Windows you can use Windows to print a self-test page to make sure the printer is working by following the below steps.
Microsoft Windows 98, 2000, ME, XP, 2003, and Vista users
- Click Start, Settings, and open Control Panel.
- Double-click the Printers or Printers and Fax icon.
- Right-click on the Printer you wish to test and click Properties. If you do not see your printer listed your printer is not installed. See document CH000939 for additional information about installing a printer in Windows.
- In the Printers Properties window click the Print Test Page button.
- If the printer is able to print a test page, you're printer is installed and setup properly. However, if you're unable to print in other programs it's possible that the program you're attempting to print from has issues.
