Update HP Printer Drivers Without Breaking Setup

By Ryan Green · Updated August 2026 · Independent guide · PrinterCare USA LLC (not affiliated with any printer manufacturer)

Quick answer Update HP printer drivers through Windows Update or Mac Software Update first—these are safest. If that doesn't work, download drivers directly from HP's support site matching your exact printer model and OS. Always back up your printer settings and network details before updating.

Updating HP printer drivers keeps your printer working smoothly and fixes bugs, but doing it wrong can disconnect your printer or break scanning. As an independent printer support service, we see many people accidentally lose their wireless connection or settings after a bad driver update.

This guide walks you through the safest way to update HP printer drivers without losing your setup. We'll cover Windows 11, macOS, and what to do if an update goes wrong.

How to fix it — step by step

Why Update HP Printer Drivers?

Drivers are the software that tells your computer how to talk to your printer. Old drivers can cause print jobs to stall, wireless disconnections, or missing features. HP releases driver updates to fix these issues and work with new Windows or macOS versions.

The key is updating carefully so you don't lose your network settings or wake up to a printer your computer won't recognize.

Method 1: Let Windows Update Do It (Safest Option)

Windows Update automatically finds and installs printer drivers for most HP printers. This is the safest method because Microsoft tests these drivers and your settings stay intact.

Plug in or connect your HP printer to your network.
On Windows 11, open Settings (press Windows key + I).
Go to System > Printers & scanners.
Click your HP printer in the list.
Click Update if you see that button, or skip to step 6.
Open Settings > System > About > Advanced system settings > Device Manager.
Find Printers or Print queues, right-click your HP printer, and select Update driver.
Choose Search automatically for drivers and wait. Windows will check for the latest driver online.

Restart your computer when done. Don't unplug the printer during this process.

Method 2: Update Through Mac Software Update

macOS handles printer drivers similarly to Windows. Apple bundles HP drivers into system updates.

Connect your HP printer via USB or Wi-Fi.
Click the Apple menu and select System Settings (or System Preferences on older Macs).
Go to General > Software Update.
If updates are available, click Update Now.
Restart when prompted.

After restart, your printer driver will be current. macOS automatically handles printer discovery and driver loading.

Method 3: Download Directly From HP (When Needed)

If Windows or Mac updates don't find your driver, or you need a specific version, download directly from HP's official support site.

Go to support.hp.com in your web browser.
Enter your exact HP printer model number (found on the printer itself or your receipt). Do not guess—wrong model numbers cause connection failures.
Select your operating system version (Windows 11, Windows 10, macOS Sonoma, etc.).
Click Download next to the most recent driver listed.
Save the file to your Downloads folder.
Open the downloaded file and follow the installer prompts. Do not interrupt the installation.
Restart your computer when the installer finishes.

Important: Never download HP drivers from third-party sites. Only use hp.com or support.hp.com to avoid malware and incompatible versions.

Before You Update: Backup Your Settings

Before running any driver update, note your printer's current settings so you can restore them if something breaks:

Write down your Wi-Fi network name and password (if using wireless).
Check your default print settings (paper size, quality, color).
Note any scanner app or software you use regularly.
Test a print job to confirm everything works now.

If your printer disconnects after updating, you'll know these details and can reconnect faster.

Troubleshooting: What If the Update Breaks Things?

If your printer stops working after an update:

Printer Offline or Won't Print

First, restart both your printer and computer. Power off the printer for 30 seconds, then turn it back on. Restart your computer.

If that doesn't work, on Windows go to Settings > Printers & scanners, remove your printer, then add it again by clicking Add a printer. On Mac, go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners, click the minus button to remove it, then click the plus button to re-add it.

Lost Wireless Connection

Reconnect your printer to Wi-Fi. Use your printer's touchscreen or buttons to access the network menu, select your Wi-Fi network, and enter the password. Then on your computer, remove and re-add the printer as described above.

Still Not Working?

If restarting and re-adding don't fix it, the driver update may have conflicted with your system. Rolling back to an older driver is complex and risky—this is where independent printer support can save time. PrinterCareUSA offers remote sessions at a flat $49 rate, and we charge $0 if we can't resolve it. We're available 9 AM to 9 PM EST.

When NOT to Update

Skip updating if your printer works perfectly right now, you're not having print quality issues, and you don't plan to upgrade your OS soon. Drivers that work don't always need updating. Only update when you see a specific fix for a problem you're having or before a major OS upgrade.

Key Takeaways

Always update HP printer drivers through Windows Update or Mac Software Update first—they're the safest. Only download from support.hp.com if automatic updates don't work. Back up your network details and test a print job before updating. If an update breaks your printer, restart both devices and re-add the printer to your computer. If you're stuck after an hour of troubleshooting, independent support is faster than trying random fixes.

Still stuck? A technician can fix it remotely today.

Independent remote support — you watch every step, and you pay the flat $49 only after your printer is working. $0 if we can't fix it.

Book a $49 remote fix →

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to update HP printer drivers?

Yes, if you use Windows Update, Mac Software Update, or download from support.hp.com. These sources provide tested drivers. Never download from unknown third-party sites, as they may contain malware or incompatible versions that break your setup.

Will updating my HP printer driver erase my wireless settings?

Not usually. Driver updates don't touch your printer's network settings. However, your computer may temporarily lose connection to the printer after updating. If this happens, restart both your computer and printer, then reconnect the printer to your Wi-Fi and re-add it to your computer's printer list.

How do I know my HP printer model number?

Look on the front or back of the physical printer, on the original box, or in your receipt. It usually starts with 'HP' and includes letters and numbers (for example, 'HP DeskJet 3755'). Write this down exactly before downloading drivers—a wrong model causes installation failures.

What should I do if my printer stops working after a driver update?

Restart both your printer and computer first—this solves most issues. If the printer still won't print or connect, remove it from your printer list and re-add it using your computer's printer settings. If that doesn't work after an hour, independent printer support can diagnose the problem faster than trial-and-error.