Windows 10 and Windows 11 Compatibility with Dell Printers (2023) (2023)

FAQs

Will older Printers work with Windows 11? ›

Will My Printer Work With Windows 11 ? Yes, your printer should work with no issues at all. According to Microsoft, Windows 11 is based on the solid foundations of Windows 10 software, so your current printer(s) should all work as normal.

Click the Start Button or press the Windows Keyboard Button and type Control Panel to filter to the Control Panel Icon. The control panel launches. Select Devices and Printers. On the top menu bar, click Add a Printer.

To fix a not working printer on Windows 11, use the “Printer” troubleshooter. Alternatively, you can uninstall and reinstall the printer driver to fix common issues. You can also try checking the physical connection, revising the configuration, and resetting the spooler.

The good news is that pretty much any printer purchased within the last four to five years – or any printer that you've successfully used with Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 – should be compatible with Windows 10.

Windows 11 - from the Desktop, select the Start menu > Settings > Bluetooth & devices. Then, select Devices and Printers. Select your Printer and then Manage.

Reseat the USB cable connecting the printer and computer by unplugging both ends, and plugging them back in. Check for a "Found New Hardware" Windows pop up installer. Note: If printer works on alternative USB port contact the technical support department of your PC manufacturer.

To roll back to Windows 10 from 11, open Settings > System > Recovery and click “Go Back.” Skip the update check, follow the on-screen directions, and click “Go back to Windows 10.”

Go to Settings > System > Recovery and, under the Advanced Startup heading, click Restart Now. At the Windows 11 recovery menu, choose Use A Device and select your USB drive. When you see the prompt to boot from the USB drive, tap the spacebar to start Windows Setup. Follow the prompts to install Windows 10.

Windows 10 KB5025221 April 2023 Update causes new issues, including printer problems.

Why my printer is not recognized by Windows 10? ›

Start by checking your hardware

If you're using a wired printer, make sure that the printer cable is properly connected from the printer to your PC. For wireless printers, check the wireless connection. Make sure the printer's wireless option is turned on and available.

Alternatively, if you have a printer, but it's no longer supported on Windows 10, you can use these steps to install it on your computer: Open File Explorer. Browse to the folder with the non-compatible driver. Right-click the driver file and select the Troubleshoot compatibility option.

Run the Printer Troubleshooter in Windows 10

Choose Troubleshoot from the menu on the left. Select Printer in the right pane, and click the Run the troubleshooter button. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the troubleshooter.

When you want to print a document without opening it, simply drag the document file to the correct printer icon on your desktop. You can drag multiple files simultaneously and they will print, but not in any particular order.

To modify the settings on your printer, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & Scanners or Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers. Select the printer of your choice to view the printer settings.

Printer Not Found

Try disconnecting other USB devices, rebooting your Dell and then connecting the printer to an available USB port. Regardless of what type of cable you're using, make sure the cable is firmly connected to both the printer and the Dell computer, otherwise the printer may not be recognized.

Restart the computer. Turn the printer off. Unplug the printer power cable from the AC outlet or surge protector and wait at least 30 seconds. Plug the printer power cable back into the AC outlet or surge protector.

Can you use any printer with any computer? Modern printers can be connected via the USB port, which makes them compatible with almost any computer make or model. You can use a compatible cable USB A-B for square instead of rectangular Type A sockets on computers.

Why won't my laptop recognize my wireless printer? ›

Remove and Re-Add Your Printer in Windows

If this happens, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and remove it. Then click Add a Printer or Scanner to re-add it to the device list.

Troubleshoot the printer USB connection

Check the USB cable for damage and recommended length, and then restart your printer and computer. Turn off the printer and the computer. Disconnect the USB cable from the computer and printer, and then inspect the cable.

Windows 11 is snappier than Windows 10, but the differences are small in real-world use. The various optimizations in Windows 11 help it to run faster on weaker laptops, but you're not giving up a ton of performance with Windows 10.

Windows 11 is definitely worth the upgrade to improve the performance of your device, unlock the latest features, including widgets and Android apps, and create a personalized user interface.

Create Windows 10 installation media

To downgrade from Windows 11 through a clean install, you'll first need to back up all your data, or whatever you want to keep. The process will delete everything on your drive, so a backup is important.

If you feel Windows 11 running slow or freezing, the reasons could come from low system storage or running too many programs at the same time.

Can I upgrade for free? Upgrades to Windows 11 from Windows 10 will be free. Due to the size of the download, however, ISP fees may apply for downloads that occur over metered connections.

Are you unable to print or scan after a Windows 10 update or upgrade? If so, make sure you have restarted Windows at least once. To Restart, click the lower left Start button, click and select Restart. If problems persist, then make sure your printer is compatible with Windows 10.

Why does my printer stop working after Windows 10 update? ›

1) Turn off your printer and unplug it from the power socket. 2) Wait 30 seconds. 3) Plug your printer back in and turn the printer back on. 4) Test to see if your printer works properly.

Your ”Windows Cannot Connect to the Printer” error may result from outdated printer drivers. In this case, you can fix the issue by updating the installed drivers. Windows' Device Manager automates the process, so you don't have to find and install the latest drivers manually.

Select Start , then select Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners . Scroll down to Related Settings and select Print server properties. Select the Drivers tab, and see if your printer is listed. If it is, you're all set.

If you're using Windows 10, click or tap the “+ Add a printer or scanner” button. No matter if you're using Windows 11 or Windows 10, the operating system begins “searching for printers and scanners,” and if it manages to find your local printer or scanner, it will try to install its drivers automatically.

Windows supports most standard printing and scanning tasks with the built-in driver.

In the search box on the taskbar, enter device manager, then select Device Manager. Select a category to see names of devices, then right-click (or press and hold) the one you'd like to update. Select Search automatically for updated driver software. Select Update Driver.

The short answer is yes. There are actually several ways to connect an older parallel printer to a newer PC that doesn't have a parallel printer port, but the easiest method by far is to simply connect it using a USB to Parallel IEEE 1284 Printer Cable Adapter.

The short answer is yes. Windows 11 supports all devices that have Windows 11 compatible drivers. Windows 11 has nothing to do with your printer hardware.

Windows 11 ARM will automatically detect your Epson printer or all-in-one and install a generic driver when you connect your printer or all-in-one to the same network as your computer, or when you connect your computer to your printer or all-in-one with a USB connection (and your computer is connected to the Internet).

Is a new printer better than an old printer? ›

More efficient inking. Not only are newer printers more likely to be able to pump out more pages per minute than older models, they're also likely to use less ink and manage everything else in a more efficient manner.

What's the average lifespan of a printer? The average lifespan of a printer is around 3-5 years. With proper upkeep and maintenance, some printers can last longer, but eventually your machine will need an upgrade.

If your printer connects by a wire, plug it into your device. It'll connect automatically, your PC will download the right drivers, and you can use it right away. To connect a wireless printer, follow these steps: Select the Start button, then select Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners > Add a printer or scanner.

If your printer's status displays "Printer in error state," there may be a problem with the printer itself. Make sure the printer is turned on and connected to your PC by Wi-Fi or cable. Check it for low paper or ink, and be sure the cover isn't open and the paper isn't jammed.