When we purchase a printer, the user manual always requires us to install the driver first. When the printer reports an error, the maintenance technician may also ask us to update the driver. So, what exactly is a printer driver? In this blog, I'll explain what a printer driver is, what it does, the different types of printer drivers, how to choose the right printer driver and how to install and update your printer.
What Are the Drivers and What Do They Do?
Imagine your computer and printer as two different people, speaking completely different languages. The printer driver is the go-between. It converts computer data into printer code, allowing each to understand the other. It's software installed on your computer, acting as a super translator and operating guide.
What exactly does it do? The following are its functions:
Translation: This is the core function. It translates the print instructions you send from your computer (what paper to use, color or black and white, resolution, number of copies, etc.) into precise machine instructions that the printer can understand. Without this translation, the printer has no idea what the computer is saying.
Provides an operation panel: After the driver is installed, when you click "Print" on your computer, a settings window will appear. This allows you to select paper size, orientation, quality, single-sided or double-sided printing, and so on. This is essentially the user interface provided by the driver. It allows you to easily tell the printer how you want to print.
Unlocks printer features: Your printer may have special features, such as double-sided printing, booklet printing, watermarks, and printing on special paper sizes. The driver is responsible for communicating these features to the computer and enabling you to use them in your print settings. Without a driver, you might only be able to use the most basic printing functions.
Telling the computer about the printer: Installing a driver is like telling the computer, "Hey, this is our new printer, brand XX. Print to it from now on!" Only after the driver is installed can the computer communicate with this specific printer.
Reporting status: Sometimes the driver can also tell you the printer's status, such as whether it's busy, if there are any paper jams, or if it's low on ink.
Different Driver Types and Their Features
1. PCL Driver VS PS Driver
|
Feature |
PCL Driver |
PS Driver |
|
Core Concept |
Sends simple commands for the printer to execute |
Sends complex page descriptions for the printer to process and render |
|
Inventor |
HP (Hewlett-Packard) |
Adobe |
|
Strengths |
Text processing, general office documents (fast performance) |
Professional typesetting, graphic design, print production (high quality) |
|
Printer Requirements |
Lower requirements; supported by many printers |
Requires a powerful built-in processor; printers are more expensive |
|
Output Consistency |
May vary slightly across brands |
Highly consistent output across different devices |
|
Driver Size |
Usually small |
Typically large |
1. PCL Driver: The "Step-by-Step" Assembly Line Foreman
Meaning: PCL stands for Printer Command Language. It was invented by Hewlett-Packard (HP) and later adopted by many other printer manufacturers.
How it works:
The computer breaks down the document into a series of simple instructions and sends them to the printer.
After receiving these very specific, step-by-step instructions, the printer doesn't have to think much on its own; its main task is to accurately execute these instructions and print the content stroke by stroke.
Advantages:
Fast speed: Because the instructions are simple and direct, processing speed is fast. It is particularly suitable for printing office documents with large amounts of text and simple graphics.
Low printer requirements: The printer does not require strong processing power; the computer does the main work.
Good versatility: Many printer brands support PCL.
Disadvantages:
Complex graphics/fonts may not be as detailed: When encountering very complex designs, special fonts, or high-quality images, the printing results may not be as perfect and consistent as those obtained with Photoshop drivers.
Computer-dependent: If the instructions sent by the computer are not good enough, or the printer misinterprets them, the results may be compromised.
2. PS-driven: Designers who "create independently"
Meaning: PS stands for PostScript. It is a powerful page description language developed by Adobe.
How it works:
The computer describes the entire document as a precise, mathematical "construction drawing" and sends it to the printer. The printer then uses its powerful internal processor to accurately calculate and render the entire page based on the description. It then prints the page.
Advantages:
High and precise print quality: Especially when working with complex graphics, vector graphics, special fonts, and high-quality prints, the results are extremely detailed, consistent, and professional. Text edges are extremely sharp, and graphics do not distort when scaled.
High device independence: In theory, you can achieve nearly identical results on any printer or output device that supports PostScript.
Disadvantages:
Potentially slower: Because the printer needs to spend time calculating the entire page, it is slower than PCL, which executes simpler instructions.
High printer requirements: The printer needs a powerful processor and sufficient memory to handle PostScript. Printers that support PostScript are generally more expensive.
Large driver file size: PS drivers are typically larger than PCL drivers.
3. How to choose
For everyday office printing, PCL drivers are generally the better choice. They're fast, highly compatible, and perfectly adequate for everyday printing.
For professional design, publishing, and printing that requires precise graphics and font output, Photoshop drivers are the industry standard. They ensure that what you see on screen is virtually identical to what you see printed on paper. A must-have for designers and printers.
Check printer support: Which drivers does your printer support? High-end commercial printers and plotters typically support both. However, many home and office printers only support PCL. Consider this when purchasing a printer.
2. Generic Drivers VS Manufacturer-Specific Print Drivers
|
Feature |
Generic Driver |
Manufacturer-Specific Driver |
|
Provider |
Operating System (Microsoft, Apple) |
Printer Manufacturer (HP, Canon, Epson, etc.) |
|
Core Purpose |
Broad compatibility, basic printing functionality |
Deep optimization to unlock full features of specific models |
|
Feature Support |
Very limited — only basic functions |
Full feature set — supports all advanced and special functions |
|
Performance |
Average or suboptimal (may sacrifice speed or detail) |
Optimal — reaches full potential of the printer in speed and quality |
|
Stability |
Potentially unstable, risk of compatibility issues |
Highly stable and reliable |
|
Installation |
Automatic — built into the OS, plug-and-play |
Manual — requires downloading and installing specific drivers |
|
Compatibility Range |
Very broad — supports a wide variety of printer brands and models |
Very narrow — typically designed for specific models or series |
1. Generic Drivers
Who provides it? It's usually built into your computer's operating system (such as Windows or macOS).
What's its goal? It's to allow immediate, basic use of many different printer brands and models. It strives for broad compatibility.
How does it work?
The computer detects a new printer (for example, via USB or a network connection).
The operating system searches its built-in "Master Keychain" for a key that likely works with the printer.
It attempts to operate the printer using a set of basic, universal commands.
Pros:
Super convenient: Plug in the printer, and the computer will usually automatically recognize and install the universal driver.
Wide Coverage: Supports a wide range of printers, especially older and basic models from common brands.
Cons:
Fewer features: It may only support the most basic printing functions. Your printer's advanced features may be missing or unavailable.
Performance may be compromised: Print speeds may not be optimal, and print quality (especially for color or detailed images) may not be at the printer's optimal level.
May be unstable: Occasionally, errors or compatibility issues may occur.
2. Manufacturer-Specific Print Drivers
Who provides this driver? This driver is custom-developed by the printer manufacturer (e.g., HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, etc.) specifically for a specific printer model.
What is its goal? It aims to unlock the full potential of your printer, providing the best performance, highest quality, most complete functionality, and the most stable experience.
How does it work?
The manufacturer knows their printer intimately.
They write driver software that precisely matches the printer's hardware and features.
This driver communicates deeply with the printer, precisely controlling every detail.
Advantages:
Fully Featured: Unlocks all the printer's features.
Best Performance: Prints are typically faster, and print quality meets the printer's stated specifications.
Most Stable and Reliable: Rarely experience compatibility issues or unusual errors.
Management Tools: Often includes scanning software (if it's an all-in-one printer), advanced setup tools, a status monitoring program, and more.
Disadvantages:
Manual installation: You need to visit the printer brand's official website, find the driver for your specific model, download it, and install it.
Printer-specific: A specific driver usually only works with one or a few very similar models. If you switch to a different brand or model, the driver will become ineffective.
3. How to Choose
Choose generic drivers for multi-brand environments: If you have multiple printer brands in your environment, universal drivers provide flexibility. They are compatible with many different models, reducing the need for multiple installations. This is ideal for large organizations or mixed printer setups.
Best suited for: IT departments or businesses with a mix of printer brands.
Use manufacturer-specific drivers for advanced printer features: If you need full access to all the advanced features your printer offers, choose manufacturer-specific drivers. They ensure compatibility with your printer's unique features.
Best suited for: Businesses or individuals who require specialized printer features.
How to Install and Set Up a Print Driver
Method 1: Download and install from the official website (recommended, most comprehensive features)
1. Find the label on the front, side, or bottom of the printer.
2. Write down the brand and model.
3. Open your computer browser and search for your printer's official website or Support/Driver Downloads. Make sure to go to the official brand website.
4. Find the official website under "Support," "Downloads," or "Drivers & Software." Click there.
5. Enter the full printer model number you wrote down in the search box.
6. Select your computer's operating system in the drop-down menu. Find the latest driver for your operating system. Click Download.
7. After the download is complete, locate the downloaded file and double-click it to run it.
8. Follow the installation wizard: Install it just like you would any other software:
You may be prompted for User Account Control. Click Yes or Continue.
Read the license agreement and click I Accept or Agree.
The installer may ask how to connect the printer (USB/Network/Wi-Fi). If the printer isn't turned on, turn it on now.
- USB connection: Connect the printer to your computer using a USB cable. The installer will usually detect it automatically.
- Network/Wi-Fi connection: Make sure the printer and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network. The installer will typically search for printers on the network and ask you to select one.
9. When the installation is complete, you'll usually be prompted to print a test page. It's recommended that you print a test page! This confirms that the driver has been installed correctly and the printer is working properly.
Method 2: Plug and Play (for USB devices, may not be fully functional)
1. Connect the printer to your computer with a USB cable.
2. Power on the printer.
3. Windows or macOS will usually automatically detect the new device.
4. Wait a few minutes for the system to automatically install a generic driver.
5. This method may not install the full driver, so it's best to download the full driver from the official website.
Method 3: Adding the Printer via the System (for network printers)
1. Go to Settings:
Windows: Settings -> Bluetooth & other devices -> Printers & Scanners -> Add a device.
macOS: System Settings/System Preferences -> Printers & Scanners -> Add button.
2. The system will begin searching for available printers on the network. After a few moments, your printer model may appear in the list.
3. Select your printer and click Add or Next.
4. The system may automatically download and install a driver (usually a generic driver or a built-in driver for this model).
5. If the driver is successfully added, try printing a test page.
Why and How to Update Your Print Driver
Why Do You Need to Update Your Printer Driver?
1. Troubleshooting
Sometimes, your printer might suddenly experience issues: printing problems, printed files being misformatted, or the new computer not recognizing the printer. This is likely due to outdated or incompatible drivers.
2. Unlocking More Features
A new driver may offer more useful features.
3. Better compatibility with new operating systems
If you've upgraded to a new computer or Windows/macOS, your printer might suddenly experience issues. This is because the old driver isn't compatible with the new operating system.
Updating your driver allows your printer to adapt to the new operating system.
How to Update Your Printer Driver
|
Download from the official website |
Use automatic system updates. |
Use manufacturer tools.
|
|
| Pros |
Stable, complete, and fully functional |
Convenient and fast. |
One-stop, beginner-friendly |
| Cons |
Make sure the model and operating system version are correct |
Sometimes the driver version is not up to date and lacks full functionality. |
Requires an internet connection, so initial installation may take a while |
Method 1: Download from the official website (most recommended)
1. Open the official websites of brands like HP, Canon, and Epson.
2. Search for your printer model in "Support" or "Download Center."
3. Select your computer's operating system.
4. Download the latest "Driver" or "Full Software Package."
5. Install and restart your computer.
Method 2: Use automatic system updates.
For Windows users:
1. Plug in the printer; the system will usually automatically recognize it.
2. Wait a few minutes to see if the driver is automatically installed.
3. You can also manually right-click the printer in "Device Manager" and select "Update Driver."
Method 3: Use the manufacturer's tools.
Some brands offer dedicated apps, such as HP Smart. These apps can automatically detect your printer, download the driver, and install it.
