Printer driver for HP, Canon or Epson and 'printer offline' on Windows: the official way

Part 1: Get the exact driver from the maker

Most printing problems in an office come down to a missing, generic or wrong driver. Microsoft's own advice is to download and install the latest driver from the printer manufacturer's website. "Universal driver" download sites aren't the manufacturer — avoid them.

Find two things first

1. The exact model. It's on a label on the printer, usually on the front, top or back (for example "DeskJet Ink Advantage 3700"). Don't guess from the series name.
2. Your Windows type. Open Settings → System → About and read System type — 64-bit or 32-bit. Some makers offer separate files for each.

HP

1. Open support.hp.com/in-en/drivers and enter your printer model.
2. Download the full-feature driver for your Windows version and install it.
3. For printing and scanning from an app, HP now offers the HP App (which replaced HP Smart) from the Microsoft Store; it needs Windows 10 or later.

Canon

1. Open in.canon/en/support/download.
2. Search by your model name, or browse By Product.
3. In Filter Search, choose your Windows version and File Type: Drivers, then click Submit.
4. Open Learn More on the matching driver and download it. Many Canon driver titles say [Windows 32bit] or [Windows 64bit] — pick the one that matches your PC. Each driver shows its own last-updated date and size.

Epson

1. Open epson.co.in/Support/Printers/sh/s1 and type your model in Search By Product Name (the browse panels can load slowly).
2. Open the model's page and download the driver for your Windows version.
3. Or use Epson's Step-by-Step Installation Guide at support.epson.net/setupnavi: enter the product name, select your OS and click Setup.

Installing over an old driver

If Windows asks, Microsoft recommends Replace the current driver in most cases. If the printer still isn't found after installing, use Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → Add device, or Add manually and choose the driver with Have Disk.

Part 2: "Printer offline" — Microsoft's Windows 11 steps

Work through these in order and test a print after each one.

1. Run the troubleshooter. Open the Get Help app (aka.ms/OfflinePrinter) and run the printer troubleshooter.
2. Restart the printer. Turn it off, unplug it, wait 30 seconds, plug it back in and turn it on.
3. Check the connection. For USB, make sure the cable is firmly connected at both ends. For Wi-Fi, confirm the printer is on the same network as the PC, using the printer's own menu or manual.
4. Set it as default. Go to Start → Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners, select the printer and choose Set as default. If that option is missing, first turn off Let Windows manage my default printer.
5. Clear the queue. In Printers & scanners, select the printer, choose Open print queue, click … and select Cancel all.
6. Restart the Print Spooler. Search for Services, right-click Print Spooler and choose Restart.
7. Remove and add the printer again. In Printers & scanners, select the printer, choose Remove and confirm. With the printer on and connected, select Add device next to "Add a printer or scanner".
8. Restart the PC.

If jobs are stuck even after a spooler restart

Microsoft's printing guide gives a deeper reset: in Services, double-click Print Spooler, click Stop, then open %WINDIR%\system32\spool\PRINTERS and delete all the files inside. Go back to Print Spooler, click Start, set Startup type to Automatic and click OK. This removes every pending print job.

HP printers: extra steps from HP

HP's printer-offline page adds:

• turn off and unplug the printer, then restart the PC and the internet router before turning the printer back on;
• check the printer and the PC are on the same network;
• in the HP App, click the wrench icon at the bottom left and choose Diagnose & Fix, then follow the on-screen steps.

Our listings link to each official site: HP, Canon and Epson.