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How to Install Printer Drivers on a Windows 8 Operating System

Document ID:HO3873

Usergroup :External
  Languages  
10/29/12 Properties  

Problem

Windows 8 driver installation; Installing; Windows RT installation; Driver installation

Solution

Article Contents 

 

 

 

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

  • A network connection with no more than 30 devices
  • The network cannot be part of domain.
  • Your machine cannot be connected to a VPN.
  • Administrator privileges or rights are required.

 

 

Determine Installation Method
 

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. 
  • The driver you require is not available with the Windows 8 'In OS' driver store or Windows Update.
  • You require device features not available with the Windows 8 OS drivers.
  • You specifically need a download driver from support.lexmark.com.
  • You want to know more about other installation methods.
 Click here for other types of printer installation.

  

 

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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.

 

 

Before you begin

  • You have verified Windows 8 printer driver compatibility.
  • If installing a network printer, make sure that your printer is already communicating on the network.
  • Obtain the printer's IP address or hostname. This information is easily obtained by printing a network settings page.
  • Windows Update requires an active Internet connection, so:
    • Make sure Firewall software allows for exceptions or exclusions for the Windows Update service.
    • Make sure the Windows Update service is running; e.g., type services.msc.

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

 

Step Action
1 Verify your USB connection and network connectivity and then wait while Windows 8 detects your printer hardware.
2
If... Then...
USB connected... Successful detection and installation of the drivers will result in a Your devices are ready to use notification message, and the printer will automatically appear in Devices and Printers.
Network connected...

No notification message is displayed, but the printer will automatically appear in Devices and Printers.
 

 

 

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.

 

Step Action
1

Access Devices and Printers

For example:

From Modern UI... From Desktop...
  1. From the Start page, swipe up from the bottom of the screen or position your cursor on the bottom perimeter of the screen and right-click.
  2. Click All Apps.
  3. Click or tap Control Panel, and then click on View Devices and Printers under Hardware and Sound. (Category view)
  1. Right-click in the lower-left to display the advanced user shortcuts.

  1. Click or tap the Control panel, and then View Devices and Printers.  

 
2  Click Add a Printer.
3  While Searching for available printers... appears, click The printer that I want want isn't listed.
4  Select Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings, and then click Next.
5  
If connected ... Then select... And...
USB Use an existing port.

Click Next and wait for the port to be located and then proceed to step 10.

Steps 2 - 5 Illustration
Ethernet or Wireless Create a new port. Proceed to step 6.
6  Next to Type of Port, click the down-arrow and then select Standard TCP/IP port.
7  Click Next.
8

Enter required dialog entry fields: 

  • Hostname or IP address: - e.g., 10.10.10.10
  • Port Name: - e.g., IP_10.10.10.10 

Note:  The port name can be changed at the end user's discretion.

If... Then...
You want to select which driver type is best for your needs Uncheck Query the printer and automatically select the driver to use.
You want Windows to select a driver for you Leave the checkmark.

 

 
9

Click Next. Windows will query the printer to confirm successful communication.
10

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. 
11

Once complete, select Lexmark from the Manufacturers list, and select your Printer driver from the Printers list.

Possible driver types that may become available:

  • PS3
  • XL
  • XPS
  • Class (V4)
  • HBP (Host Based)
  • MS

 
12 Click Next.
If... Then...
Updating an existing driver See next step.
Adding a new driver See step 14.
13

Which version of the driver do you want to use? is displayed if you are updating or replacing an existing driver (type).

Add Printer suggests that you select... But, you should actually select... This ensures...
Use the driver that is currently installed (recommended) REPLACE THE CURRENT DRIVER, and then select NEXT. Full replacement and update of driver files.

 
14

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.
15 Click Next.
16

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.

 



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