If you cannot find a driver for an old printer, the official website no longer offers the required file, or installing the old driver in Windows 10 or Windows 11 ends with an error, that does not automatically mean the printer cannot be brought back to life.<\/p>\n
In many cases, the built-in Windows method helps: Windows Update + manual printer addition<\/strong>. Some users consider this method ineffective, but in practice it often helps install drivers for old printers and for devices where it is difficult to find a working driver.<\/p>\n This method often works for printers from HP, Canon, Samsung, Epson, Kyocera, OKI, Pantum<\/strong>, and many other manufacturers.<\/p>\n Below is a detailed step-by-step guide. It is written specifically for users who have never used this method before and do not know where to find the required buttons and links in the Windows interface.<\/p>\n Use this method if:<\/p>\n The Windows Update + manual printer addition<\/strong> method works like this:<\/p>\n Sometimes this kind of driver does not provide all additional device functions, but in most cases it restores the basic printing function<\/strong>. For many users, that is enough.<\/p>\n Important:<\/strong> this method does not guarantee a result in every case, but in practice it often helps where the old official driver will not install at all.<\/p>\n If you have a USB printer:<\/strong> when removing the old printer and old driver, it is better to disconnect the USB cable from the computer<\/strong>. While you open the wizard, click Windows Update<\/strong>, and choose the driver from the list, the printer can remain disconnected<\/strong>. You usually need to connect the USB cable before manually adding the printer itself<\/strong>, when you reach the port selection step. If USB001<\/strong> is already listed, you can continue. If USB001<\/strong> is not listed, connect the printer to the computer with the USB cable, turn the printer on, wait 20 to 30 seconds, and open the wizard again.<\/p>\n If you have a network printer:<\/strong> you can skip the USB cable instructions. The printer should simply be turned on and connected to the network.<\/p>\n If the old driver fails with 0x800F024B<\/strong> and Windows says \u201cThe hash for the file is not present in the specified catalog file. The file is likely corrupt or the victim of tampering.\u201d<\/strong>, this usually means that the modern version of Windows does not accept that old driver package.<\/p>\n In simple terms, the driver may be official, but too old for the current system. In that situation, it is often more useful to stop launching the old installer over and over again and move to the Windows Update + manual printer addition<\/strong> method instead.<\/p>\n If the printer is connected to the computer with a USB cable, it is better to disconnect the cable and turn the printer off while you remove the old printer and old driver.<\/p>\n If this is a network printer, you can skip this step.<\/p>\n Windows 11<\/strong><\/p>\n Windows 10<\/strong><\/p>\n If the list contains several similar entries for this printer, it is better to remove them all.<\/p>\n Windows 11<\/strong><\/p>\n Windows 10<\/strong><\/p>\n The next steps are the same in Windows 10 and Windows 11<\/strong><\/p>\n If the driver will not be removed, first clear the print queue and then try again.<\/p>\n After removing the old printer and the old driver, restart the computer.<\/p>\n Windows 10<\/strong><\/p>\n Windows 11<\/strong><\/p>\n During this time, Windows downloads an additional printer driver list from Microsoft servers. After that, the list of manufacturers and models usually becomes much larger.<\/p>\n Important:<\/strong> the computer must be connected to the internet at this stage.<\/p>\n If you have a USB printer:<\/strong> at this stage the printer can still remain disconnected from the computer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n If you find the exact model, that is the best option.<\/p>\n If the exact model is missing, you can try one of the following:<\/p>\n Important:<\/strong> choosing a similar model does not guarantee a result. Sometimes it helps, and sometimes it does not. Treat this only as an additional option if the exact model is not available.<\/p>\n If your printer connects by USB, now connect it to the computer with the cable and turn it on.<\/p>\n After connecting it, wait 20 to 30 seconds<\/strong>. During this time, Windows usually creates the USB port you will need in the next step.<\/p>\n If you have a network printer, you can skip this step.<\/p>\n Windows 10<\/strong><\/p>\n Windows 11<\/strong><\/p>\n Sometimes the driver installs and the printer appears in the system, but printing still fails. In that case, try the following checks.<\/p>\nWhen this method is especially useful<\/h2>\n
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What is important to know before you begin<\/h2>\n
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What error 0x800F024B means<\/h2>\n
Before installation: what you should do first<\/h2>\n
Step 1. If this is a USB printer, disconnect the cable from the computer<\/h3>\n
Step 2. Remove the old printer<\/h3>\n
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Step 3. Remove the old printer driver<\/h3>\n
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Step 4. Restart the computer<\/h3>\n
Main method: Windows Update + manual printer addition<\/h2>\n
Step 1. Open the driver addition wizard<\/h3>\n
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Step 2. Click the Windows Update button<\/h3>\n
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Step 3. Find the printer manufacturer and model<\/h3>\n
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If the exact model is not in the list<\/h3>\n
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Step 4. Connect the USB printer to the computer<\/h3>\n
Step 5. After adding the driver, add the printer itself manually<\/h3>\n
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If the driver installs but printing still does not work<\/h2>\n
Check 1. Print a test page<\/h3>\n
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