Fixing a Failed Dell Printer Driver Installation

Find the right driver for your exact Dell model, install it without the usual errors, and know what to do when Dell's download page stops at Windows 10.

Read This First: Why Dell Printer Drivers Work a Little Differently

Dell stopped selling Dell-branded printers in 2018. Its driver library is still online and its support articles are still updated, but most of the printer downloads themselves haven't changed in years.

That affects what you'll see when you go looking for a driver:

• The newest file for your model may be old. The software suite for the Dell E515dw is dated November 2015, and the E310dw suite is from January 2017. That's normal. You're on the right page.
• Windows 11 often isn't in the dropdown. Dell's advice is to pick the most recent Windows version it lists, which is usually Windows 10, 64-bit.
• Some models have no modern driver at all. Most Dell inkjets, including the 92x and 96x all-in-ones, aren't supported on Windows 10 or 11.

The good news is that most Dell laser printers from the last decade still run well on current Windows once the right package is installed. The rest of this guide shows you how.

Is the Driver Really the Problem? Signs to Look For

A broken or missing driver doesn't always throw an obvious error. These are the symptoms that usually point to the driver rather than the printer:

• Windows shows "Driver is unavailable" under your Dell printer in Printers & scanners.
• Jobs reach the queue, then sit there or disappear without printing.
• Pages come out as random symbols, garbled text, or a stack of nearly blank sheets. That usually means the printer received data it can't read.
• In Control Panel's Devices and Printers, the printer shows up under Unspecified instead of Printers.
• Options you used to have, like two-sided printing, tray selection, or color, are missing from the print dialog.
• Printing worked until a Windows feature update, then stopped.

One quick test saves a lot of time. Print a configuration or settings page from the printer's own control panel. If that fails too, the driver on your computer isn't the cause, and you should start with the connection instead. Our Dell printer offline guide covers that.

Which Dell Printer Driver Should You Install?

Open your printer's page on Dell's support site and you'll often find more than one download. Here's what each option is for.

Software Suite and Driver (listed as "Application")

This is Dell's full package. Along with the print driver, it adds Dell's own tools, such as the toner reorder utility and, on models like the E515dw, the Dell Printer Hub app. It's the best starting point for a home or small office printer. Some suites include the driver and some don't, so check whether your model also lists a separate driver file.

Driver Only (listed as "Drivers for OS Deployment" or "Driver")

Just the print driver, nothing extra. Choose this when you only need to print, when the full suite refuses to install, or when you're setting up the same printer on several PCs.

Dell Open Print Driver

A universal driver that handles PCL 5, PCL XL (PCL 6), and PostScript from a single print queue. It has built-in profiles for a long list of Dell laser printers, plus a generic profile that can print to other PCL or PostScript printers. It's the best backup plan when your model's own driver won't install. It's designed for PCL and PostScript lasers, so it isn't a fix for Dell inkjets. The latest version on Dell's site (A16) was released in October 2017, and Dell lists it as supported on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

The Driver Built Into Windows

Windows 11 includes the Microsoft IPP Class Driver, which can print to Mopria-certified network printers with nothing to download. Some later Dell lasers, such as the E525w, support Mopria. You get the basics but none of Dell's extra tools. On Windows on Arm laptops, including Snapdragon models, this is often the only option that works, because Dell's installers are built for x64 PCs.

AirPrint or a Generic Driver on a Mac

Dell has said it can't offer laser printer drivers for macOS 10.15 Catalina. On current Macs, that leaves AirPrint for models that support it, or a generic PostScript or PCL driver for those that don't. The Mac section below walks through both.

Quick Pick

Before You Download: Three Quick Checks

1. Get your exact model number or Service Tag.
The model number is printed on the front of most Dell printers. The Service Tag is a 7-character code on a label on the back of the printer or inside the toner or ink cartridge door. On all-in-ones, it may also be under the scanner lid. Most models print it on the printer settings report as well. Entering the Service Tag on Dell's support site takes you straight to the right driver list, with no guessing between similar model names.

2. Check your Windows version and system type.
Go to Settings > System > About and look at System type. Dell's printer downloads are built for 64-bit or 32-bit Windows on Intel and AMD processors. If it says ARM-based processor, skip Dell's installers and use the built-in Windows driver instead.

3. Make sure your model works on Windows 10 or 11.
Dell keeps a compatibility list in its knowledge base (article 000133596). In short:

• Fully supported (Dell download, installation CD, and a driver through Windows): E310dw, E514dw, E515dn/dw, E525w, H625cdw, H815dw, H825cdw, S2815dn, S2825cdn, S2830dn, S3840cdn, S3845cdn, S5830dn, S5840cdn.
• Supported through a Dell download only: many older lasers, including the B1160, B1260dn, B2360dn, B5460dn, C1660w, C1760nw, C2660dn, C3760dn, S2810dn, 1130, 1250c, 1355cn, 2150cdn, 2330dn, 2355dn, 3330dn, and 5530dn.
• Not supported: most Dell inkjets (P513w, P713w, V305, V313, V515w, V715w, and older all-in-ones from the 922 through 968, such as the 926 and 928), plus older lasers such as the 1100, 1110, 1600n, the 1700 series, 3100cn, and 5100cn. The V525w and V725w are the only Dell inkjets with Windows 10 and 11 downloads.

Availability can vary by country, so treat Dell's article as the final word for your model.

How to Download a Dell Printer Driver from Dell's Website

1. Go to Dell's support site at dell.com/support and open Drivers & Downloads.
2. Enter your printer's Service Tag or model name (for example, "E310dw") in the search box and select your printer. You can also browse to it: Browse all products > Electronics & Accessories > Printers & Accessories, then choose your printer type and model.
3. In the Operating system dropdown, choose your version of Windows. If Windows 11 isn't listed, choose Windows 10, 64-bit.
4. In the Category column, look for Application (the full suite) or Drivers for OS Deployment (driver only). Write down the file names, since some models need both.
5. Click Download next to each file you need. It will usually land in your Downloads folder as a .zip or .exe file.

Tip: Only download printer drivers from dell.com or through Windows Update. Dell specifically warns against third-party driver sites and driver-scanning tools, which can carry malware.

If no drivers appear for your version of Windows, Dell doesn't support your model on it. Skip to the compatibility mode steps in the next section.

How to Install a Dell Printer Driver on Windows 11 or 10

Before you start, keep one thing in mind for USB printers: leave the USB cable unplugged until the installer asks for it. If Windows detects the printer first, it can grab the wrong driver and leave Dell's installer with nothing to finish.

1. Turn the printer on. For a network printer, make sure it's on the same network as your computer.
2. Open File Explorer > Downloads. If the file is a .zip, right-click it and choose Extract All.
3. Open the extracted folder, right-click setup.exe (or the single .exe you downloaded), and choose Run as administrator. Select Yes on the User Account Control prompt.
4. Accept the license agreement and follow the prompts. Pick USB or network when you're asked how the printer is connected.
5. For USB, plug in the cable only when the installer tells you to. For a network printer, let the installer search, or type the printer's IP address. You'll find the IP on the network settings page the printer can print from its control panel.
6. Don't shut down or restart the PC while files are copying. Dell calls this out on its own driver pages.
7. Restart if prompted, then print a test page: Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select your printer, and choose Print test page.

Installing the Dell Open Print Driver

If your model's own package won't install, try Dell's universal driver:

1. Search Dell's support site for Dell Open Print Driver, download it, and extract the .zip.
2. Run the MSI installer, accept the license, and pick your options on the Ready to Install the Dell Open Print Driver screen.
3. Click Install and approve the User Account Control prompt.
4. When setup finishes, use the driver's discovery option to find your printer on the network. You can also add the printer through Windows and select the Dell Open Print Driver from the list.

If you use the driver-only version through Windows' Add a printer option, install all three variants (PCL 5, PCL XL, and PostScript) so the driver has everything it needs.

When Dell Only Lists an Older Version of Windows (Compatibility Mode)

For models that aren't supported on Windows 10 or 11, Dell suggests trying its newest available driver in compatibility mode. Some or all features may work. There's no guarantee.

1. Remove any existing software for the printer first (see the clean reinstall steps below), then restart.
2. Download the most recent 64-bit driver Dell offers for your model.
3. Right-click the file and choose Properties > Compatibility > Change settings for all users.
4. Check Run this program in compatibility mode for and choose the Windows version the driver was made for.
5. Click Apply, then OK. Right-click the file and choose Run as administrator.

Compatibility mode only changes how the installer runs. The driver it puts on your PC still has to work with your version of Windows, which is why this works for some Dell printers and not for others.

How to Set Up a Dell Printer on a Mac

Dell has said it can't provide laser printer drivers for macOS 10.15 Catalina, so on a current Mac you'll set up your Dell printer with macOS's own tools instead.

If your printer supports AirPrint (the E525w is one example):

1. Connect the printer to the same Wi-Fi or wired network as your Mac.
2. Open System Settings > Printers & Scanners and click Add Printer, Scanner, or Fax.
3. Select your Dell printer. Make sure the Use menu shows AirPrint, then click Add.

If it doesn't support AirPrint but does support PostScript or PCL (check the specs in your printer's user guide):

1. Print a network settings page from the printer to get its IP address.
2. In the Add Printer window, click the IP button and enter the address.
3. Set Protocol to Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) or HP Jetdirect - Socket.
4. In the Use menu, choose Generic PostScript Printer or Generic PCL Printer, then click Add.

A generic driver handles everyday printing, but it may not show every tray or finishing option. If your printer is USB-only and supports neither AirPrint, PostScript, nor PCL, there may be no reliable way to use it with a current Mac. For more detail, see our guide to adding a Dell printer to a Mac.

How to Update a Dell Printer Driver

Dell isn't releasing new drivers for most models, so updating usually means one of four things: letting Windows fetch a signed driver, pointing Device Manager at a driver, reinstalling the latest package from Dell, or updating the printer's firmware.

Through Windows Update

1. On Windows 11, open Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates. On Windows 10, open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View optional updates.
2. Expand Driver updates. If a Dell printer driver is listed, check it and select Download and install.

Don't be surprised if nothing shows up. Microsoft stopped accepting new printer drivers for Windows 11 through Windows Update on January 15, 2026, though drivers already there can still install.

Through Device Manager

1. Right-click Start and choose Device Manager.
2. Expand Print queues, right-click your Dell printer, and choose Update driver.
3. Choose Search automatically for drivers. If you've already downloaded and extracted Dell's driver, choose Browse my computer for drivers and point it to that folder instead.

By Reinstalling from Dell's Site

Compare the driver version on Dell's download page with the one installed on your PC. If Dell's is newer, install it over the old one. If the old driver has been acting up, do a clean reinstall instead (steps below).

Updating the Printer's Firmware

Firmware runs on the printer itself and is separate from the driver on your computer. Dell still posts firmware for many laser models under the Firmware category on the same Drivers & Downloads page. Read the release notes before you run it, and keep the printer powered on and connected until it finishes. If the firmware tool only lists an older version of Windows, Dell recommends running it in compatibility mode, using the same steps as above.

Fixing a Failed Dell Printer Driver Installation or "Driver Is Unavailable"

Work through these in order and try printing after each one.

1. Restart everything. Turn off the printer, restart the computer, then turn the printer back on.
2. Clear the print queue. Cancel every job and wait for the queue to empty. A stuck job can block driver changes. If jobs won't clear, see our guide to a Dell printer job stuck in the queue.
3. Restart the Print Spooler. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter. Find Print Spooler, right-click it, and choose Restart.
4. Double-check the download. Your model, Windows version, and 32-bit or 64-bit should all match. An x64 driver won't install on an Arm-based PC, and a Windows 7-era inkjet driver may not install on Windows 11 at all.
5. Run the installer as administrator, and keep the USB cable unplugged until you're prompted. If Windows had already added the printer, remove it first.
6. Try a simpler driver. If the full suite keeps failing, install the driver-only package or the Dell Open Print Driver.
7. Do a clean reinstall. Old driver packages left on the PC are a frequent reason fresh installs fail. The next section shows how to remove them.
8. Check for work policies. On a company PC, IT may have turned on Windows protected print mode, which blocks third-party drivers like Dell's. In that case, only the built-in Windows driver will work.

If the trouble started right after a Windows update, our guide to Dell printer problems after a Windows update goes deeper.

How to Completely Remove and Reinstall a Dell Printer Driver

Deleting the printer from Windows doesn't delete its driver. Windows keeps the driver package and quietly reuses it, which is why a "fresh" install can come back with the same problem. Dell recommends removing everything before you reinstall.

1. Clear the print queue so no jobs are holding the driver open.
2. Press Windows + R, type appwiz.cpl, and press Enter. Uninstall every Dell entry tied to your printer. Multifunction printers can have more than one. Restart the PC.
3. Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners, select your Dell printer, and choose Remove.
4. On the same screen, scroll to Related settings and open Print server properties.
5. On the Drivers tab, select each Dell driver that belongs to your printer and click Remove. Choose Remove driver and driver package, then OK. If Windows says the driver is in use, restart the Print Spooler and try again.
6. Restart the PC, then install the driver again using the steps above.

Windows Printer Driver Changes in 2026: What Dell Owners Should Know

Microsoft is winding down support for printer drivers written by manufacturers on Windows 11, in stages:

• January 15, 2026: Windows Update stopped accepting new printer drivers for Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025, apart from case-by-case exceptions.
• July 1, 2026: Windows was scheduled to start preferring its built-in IPP class driver over manufacturer drivers.
• July 1, 2027: Apart from security fixes, updates to third-party printer drivers end.

Here's what that means for a Dell printer:

• Your installed Dell driver keeps working. Microsoft says existing drivers can still be installed, and packages downloaded from Dell's site still install the normal way.
• Windows may choose a different driver on its own. If your Dell printer is Mopria certified, a newly added printer may use the Microsoft IPP Class Driver instead of Dell's. That's fine for everyday printing. If you need Dell's features, install Dell's package, then open Printer properties > Advanced and pick the Dell driver from the Driver list.
• Windows protected print mode can block Dell drivers completely. It's an optional setting in Windows 11 version 24H2 and later. When it's on, printers that rely on third-party drivers are removed and can't be added back until it's turned off.
• Not sure if your model is Mopria certified? Look it up on the Mopria Alliance's certified products search at mopria.org.