How to install an hp printer without a disk. How to install a Canon printer on a computer without an installation disk

The printer has long become an integral part of not only office everyday life, but also one of the elements of home office equipment. Whatever you say, it’s difficult to do without a printer now, because working with papers takes place in the lives of each of us. However, sometimes users have problems during setup. How to set up a printer on your computer, avoiding common mistakes, read this article.

Connecting a local printer using a disk

The first step is to connect the printer to your computer via a USB port. Next, go to “Start”, select “Devices and Printers”, and in the window that opens, click “Add a printer”. After this, the window will change to another one, in which you should select “Add a local printer”.

Then you should check the box next to the line “Use an existing port” and select USB from the list provided.

Next you will need to install printer drivers. As usually happens, the ones you need are not on the existing list. In this case, you need to click “Install drivers from disk” and specify the path where the system can download them. “Firewood” can be found on the disk that came with the device itself, or you can download it on the Internet. Please note that printer drivers can be downloaded for free, but if all sites require a download fee, go to the manufacturer’s official website and download the necessary information.

The next step is to enter the name of the printer in the required line (or leave everything as is), accordingly, under this name it will appear on your computer.


Click “Next” and wait for the installation to complete. After this, check the printer's functionality. Run any document through and try to print.

Data location

In order to check the settings of the installed printer, you should go to a special folder located in the Control Panel. Content can be viewed in classic view or in web view. Unless you choose otherwise, the second option is used. When you get inside the folder, you will see the “Printers and other devices” icon, click on it, and work with printers, scanners, mice, keyboards, in short, with all external devices connected to your computer. In the process, you can change the data, in a word, do whatever you think is necessary.

Setting up a printer on a computer takes a minimum of time, of course, if you know how to approach this issue. Now you know too!

Knowing how to quickly connect a printer to a computer, you get the opportunity to print documents from any device - a computer running Windows or Mac OS, and even from a regular smartphone on the or platform.

After all, many people have the need to print a document, photograph, just a picture or text. And they are relatively inexpensive compared to computers or laptops.

Black and white laser office printer will cost no more than $100, – at $150–200, inkjet options are even more profitable, but their maintenance will cost much more.

Buying a printer- only the first of those tasks that must be solved by a person who intends to constantly use a printing device.

The next step is to connect the device - physical, to a specific computer, or network, allowing you to print from several laptops or PCs.

A few years ago, printing devices could only be connected to a PC using an LPT port - for this reason it was impossible for them to work with laptops.

Now manufacturers of such equipment prefer.

And for printers that only have an outdated type of interface, they use special adapters - however, they do not always work and are unreliable.

Modern printer USB cables have two different connectors - standard flat "A"(same as on flash drives and regular adapters) and type "B", having an almost square shape.

Port USB-A connects to the computer and USB-B– to the printing device. Due to this difference in connectors, incorrect connection is impossible.

Windows computer

Instructions for other platforms

To connect the printer to a computer using other operating systems - MacOS or Unix– all actions are repeated in the same order.

In most cases, it is enough to simply connect the device cable to the appropriate connector.

After this, the system determines the model and brand and first searches and then installs the necessary programs.

If there is a connection problem, Apple's operating system opens a menu "Printers and scanners", the connected device is searched and drivers are installed manually.

To get started, you may need to install the CUPS printing system.

Although in modern versions of operating systems based on UNIX technologies installation occurs automatically, almost the same as for Windows OS.

Connecting network printers

The printer may not connect to specific computers - in this case, access to it is provided from several devices (including even smartphones and tablets).

Exists three connection options:

    Using a wireless network;

    Via a PC with Windows OS;

    Through computers with Mac OS installed.

Wireless (Wi-Fi) connection

Before connecting the printer to a wireless network, you should check if it has . If it is, the printing device can work autonomously.

If there is no connector, the printer connects to a PC or print server - a small device that provides a connection to the network.

Rice. 8. Print servers: wired and wireless.

Next step– installing the printer in such a way that it is capable of receiving a wireless network signal, preferably in direct line of sight with the Wi-Fi router.

To connect a printing device to the router, turn on the printer and follow the instructions on the printer screen.

All models that support wireless connectivity are equipped with a display for displaying information.

If problems arise during connection, you should use the instructions included with all new printers.

For older models for which documents are not available, you can find information on the manufacturer's website.

Some devices can only connect to a wireless network through a computer (usually a laptop).

Important: If the printing device communicates with the router autonomously, the first time you connect, you must enter the router password. If the printer only works through a computer, you do not need to perform these steps.

To connect computers running Windows OS to a network printer: do the following:

    Open "Control Panel";

    Select the menu of devices and printers;

    Click on the option to install a printing device;

    Select add a network printer;

    Wait until the system detects the presence of a printing device and will automatically update the software;

    Print a test page to check correct installation of drivers. If necessary, you can set the network device as the default printer. This will allow you to immediately send printed documents to it.

When working with a computer running Mac OS, the network printer is detected automatically. If the device is not recognized, you should enter the menu, select system settings and find a suitable option in the printers and scanners section. After this, you need to manually add the appropriate model, the drivers for which will also be installed automatically.

Share a printer connected to a Windows PC

In order to connect computers to a printer paired with a PC running Windows, required:

1 Connect the printing device to the PC;

2 Open Network Sharing Center and select the option to change advanced sharing settings;

3 V Select home or work network;

4 Enable the printer sharing option and save your changes.

Now, to connect other computers with Windows OS, you should add a network printer one by one in the same way (via the control panel and the list of printers).

The system automatically searches for a printing device and provides driver installation.

The same is done for computers on which the Apple platform is installed - in this case, you should look for a new printer in the system settings section.

Immediately after connecting the device to the computer, you will not be able to print documents or photos. Before doing this, you will need to install the driver on the printer. This program ensures the interaction of the equipment with the PC. It can be installed in manual or automatic mode. In the first case, the system will independently determine the printer model, download and install the necessary files. If this does not happen, you will need to download the driver from the manufacturer’s website or the disk included in the package.

Automatically search for necessary drivers through Windows

Connect the printer to your PC following the manufacturer's instructions. As a rule, to do this, it is enough to unpack the device, install the cartridge and remove the protective seals, then connect it to the computer via USB and plug it into a power outlet. The operating system will begin searching for software available for the found hardware model. The corresponding icon will be displayed in the tray. At the stage of choosing an installation method in the pop-up window interface, select the first item - search for the program in automatic mode.

If you are not prompted to add new hardware, open the Windows Control Panel. Go to the "Devices and Printers" page, there click "Add a printer". This will start the process of searching for print devices connected to your computer. If completed successfully, the printer will appear in the list. You will need to select it and start an automatic search for the driver. If Windows doesn't find the connected device, follow the link at the bottom of the window. In the section that opens, you can choose one of the following options:

  • Search among old model printers;
  • Selecting a shared network print device by name;
  • Adding by IP address;
  • Adding wireless or network equipment;
  • Manually specifying parameters.

It is important to know! If the device model is outdated, but the system does not find it when you select the first item, return to the previous step and select adding using the specified parameters. This is especially true for models connected via LPT and COM ports.

How to install a driver on a home printer

The software required for operation is usually supplied on disk. Check the scope of delivery of your equipment, and if you do not have the required CD, go to the manufacturer’s website. Most often, the driver can be found in the “Support” or “Downloads” section. Download the archive or executable file, and then run the installer. Follow the on-screen instructions to select the desired item:

  1. Install the driver on the printer;
  2. Read the user manual;
  3. Install additional components.

Note! In addition to the drivers themselves, most manufacturers also provide additional utilities that make printing documents and maintaining the device easier. Their installation is desirable, but not mandatory.

Solving problems and installation difficulties

Most of the difficulties that arise when adding peripherals to Windows are due to incorrect installation and connection. First of all, make sure that the LEDs or other indicators on the printer body do not indicate an error. You can find out the principles of indication when various malfunctions occur in the user manual. If there is no such signal, reboot the equipment and your computer, and then try adding it to the OS again.

Make sure the driver version you are using matches the version of the operating system on your computer. The bitness of the OS and the file you are going to install must match. If problems arise when installing from a disk, download a new version of the utility from the official website. This can help as developers release updates to fix any bugs they find.

Important advice!

If a new and known working printer is not detected by home computers, check the correct connection and integrity of the cable. Use a different cable if available.

Read also:
Which printer is better to buy for your home - which printing technology is better

How to make a 3D printer with your own hands: instructions and tips

Setting up an HP printer when connected via a USB cable to a Windows computer. To get the most out of your USB-connected printer's supported features, install the HP Full Feature Driver.

Step 1: Prepare your printer setup

Check the requirements and uninstall any previously installed versions of the printer in Windows in preparation for setting up a USB connection and installing drivers.

Step 2. Installing the driver and setting up the connection

Download and install the best available print driver to complete your USB connection.

Can I install from the disk that came with the printer?

Yes, but the driver version may be outdated or incompatible with newer operating systems. The driver version that was originally supplied with the printer is installed from the disk.

Make sure the disc contains drivers that are compatible with your OS, especially if you have updated your computer. Otherwise, the installation may fail.

What types of drivers are available in HP Software and Driver Downloads?

In chapter . There may be more than one type of driver available for your printer. This guide will help you determine which driver to download.

Note. Depending on your printer and operating system version, there may not be a driver available for download in the HP downloads. If item Installing a Printer Driver Using the Built-in Windows Solution displayed in the section Driver/Product Installation Software

without a download button, click More details to install drivers provided through Windows.

Driver type

Install the full feature driver or the driver from the all-in-one solution, if available, to get the most out of your printer.