How to Install Printer Drivers on a Windows 8 Operating System |
Document ID:HO3873
Usergroup :External |
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10/29/12 | Properties |
Windows 8 Driver Installation Overview
Microsoft Windows 8 contains many In-box or In-OS Lexmark printer drivers that are automatically installed using Plug and Play (PnP). To determine the best-fit or most recently updated driver, the operating system searches a local driver store, and performs a Windows Update (WU) before finalizing printer driver installation.
NOTE: This multiple-step process may cause a slight delay in the creation of a printer object.
Plug and Play Requirements
Actions or Scenario | For help... |
FIRST! Identify Windows 8 or Windows RT compatibility with your device. |
Click here to access this compatibility list. |
First time installation of network or USB-connected printer. Note: Windows 8 compatibility with in-OS driver required. |
See Automatic Windows 8 Installation below. |
The printer is not detected by the operating system when attached via USB or network cable. |
See Add Printer: Manual Install – Run Windows Update below. |
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Click here for other types of printer installation. |
Automatic Windows 8 Installation
This installation path is the most common since Windows 8 will include many current Lexmark printer drivers. Moreover, drivers that are not currently available in the operating system's driver store will be made available via Windows Update.
NOTE: Contact Microsoft or your system administrator if you are unable to activate the Windows Update service.
Automatic Installation using Windows 8 Plug n Play
Class Drivers - V4 drivers that ship with Windows Server 2012 are known as Class Drivers. Drivers of this type should always display Class Driver in the name.
Model Specific Drivers - V4 drivers that are downloaded directly from a printer manufacturer website or downloaded from Windows Update are known as model specific drivers
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1 | Verify your USB connection and network connectivity and then wait while Windows 8 detects your printer hardware. | ||||||
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Add Printer: Manual Install – Run Windows Update
As new drivers become available, Windows Updates will ensure that you are using the latest known driver.
If your printer is on a network, you will want to obtain your printer's IP address; this will ensure a clean, new installation of the driver. You can delete the existing printer object after the newest driver has been installed.
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Access Devices and Printers For example:
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2 | Click Add a Printer. | |||||||||
3 | While Searching for available printers... appears, click The printer that I want want isn't listed. |
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4 | Select Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings, and then click Next. | |||||||||
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6 | Next to Type of Port, click the down-arrow and then select Standard TCP/IP port. | |||||||||
7 | Click Next. | |||||||||
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Enter required dialog entry fields:
Note: The port name can be changed at the end user's discretion.
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Click Next. Windows will query the printer to confirm successful communication. |
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Click on Windows Update. You will see the message Windows is updating the list of printers. This might take a few minutes. NOTE: Be patient because this procedure may take up to an hour to complete. |
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Once complete, select Lexmark from the Manufacturers list, and select your Printer driver from the Printers list. Possible driver types that may become available:
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12 | Click Next.
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Which version of the driver do you want to use? is displayed if you are updating or replacing an existing driver (type).
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Type a printer name is displayed. Change the printer name if preferred. NOTE: When you replace the current driver, you will see a (Copy1, 2, 3...) after the printer name. |
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15 | Click Next. | |||||||||
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Select Set as the default printer, and then click Print a test page. Or, skip both options and simply click Finish to finalize your printer driver update or installation.
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Still Need Help?
If you require additional assistance, please see Contact information. NOTE: When calling for support, you will need your printer/model type and serial number (SN).
Please call from near the computer and printer in case the technician on the phone asks you to perform a task on this device.