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Windows 8 Driver Installation Overview
Microsoft Windows 8 contains many In-box or In-OS Lexmark printer drivers that are automatically installed using Plug and Play (PnP). To determine the best-fit or most recently updated driver, the operating system searches a local driver store, and performs a Windows Update (WU) before finalizing printer driver installation.
NOTE: This multiple-step process may cause a slight delay in the creation of a printer object.
Plug and Play Requirements
- A network connection with no more than 30 devices
- The network cannot be part of domain.
- Your machine cannot be connected to a VPN.
- Administrator privileges or rights are required.
Determine Installation Method
| Actions or Scenario | For help... |
| FIRST! Identify Windows 8 or Windows RT compatibility with your device. | xref_OS27_xref to access this compatibility list. |
| First time installation of network or USB-connected printer.
Note: Windows 8 compatibility with in-OS driver required.
| See Automatic Windows 8 Installation below. |
| The printer is not detected by the operating system when attached via USB or network cable. | See Add Printer: Manual Install – Run Windows Updatebelow. |
- The driver you require is not available with the Windows 8 'In OS' driver store or Windows Update.
- You require device features not available with the Windows 8 OS drivers.
- You specifically need a download driver from support.lexmark.com.
- You want to know more about other installation methods.
| xref_HO3876_xref for other types of printer installation. |
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This installation path is the most common since Windows 8 will include many current Lexmark printer drivers. Moreover, drivers that are not currently available in the operating system's driver store will be made available via Windows Update.
Before you begin
- You have verified Windows 8 printer driver compatibility.
- If installing a network printer, make sure that your printer is already communicating on the network.
- Obtain the printer's IP address or hostname. This information is easily obtained by printing a network settings page.
- Windows Update requires an active Internet connection, so:
- Make sure Firewall software allows for exceptions or exclusions for the Windows Update service.
- Make sure the Windows Updateservice is running; e.g., type services.msc.
NOTE: Contact Microsoft or your system administrator if you are unable to activate the Windows Update service.
Class Drivers - V4 drivers that ship with Windows Server 2012 are known as Class Drivers. Drivers of this type should always display Class Driver in the name.
Model Specific Drivers - V4 drivers that are downloaded directly from a printer manufacturer website or downloaded from Windows Update are known as model specific drivers
| Step | Action |
| 1 | Verify your USB connection and network connectivity and then wait while Windows 8 detects your printer hardware. |
| 2 | | If... | Then... | | USB connected... | Successful detection and installation of the drivers will result in a Your devices are ready to use notification message, and the printer will automatically appear in Devices and Printers. | | Network connected... | No notification message is displayed, but the printer will automatically appear in Devices and Printers. |
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Add Printer: Manual Install – Run Windows Update
As new drivers become available, Windows Updates will ensure that you are using the latest known driver.
If your printer is on a network, you will want to obtain your printer's IP address; this will ensure a clean, new installation of the driver. You can delete the existing printer object after the newest driver has been installed.
| Step | Action |
| 1 | Access Devices and Printers For example: | From Modern UI... | From Desktop... | From the Start page, swipe up from the bottom of the screen or position your cursor on the bottom perimeter of the screen and right-click. Click All Apps. Click or tap Control Panel, and then click on View Devices and Printers under Hardware and Sound.(Category view)
| Right-click in the lower-left to display the advanced user shortcuts.
Click or tap the Control panel, and then View Devices and Printers.
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| 2 | Click Add a Printer. |
| 3 | While Searching for available printers... appears, click The printer that I want want isn't listed. |
| 4 | Select Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings, and then click Next. |
| 5 | | If connected ... | Then select... | And... | | USB | Use an existing port. | Click Next and wait for the port to be located and then proceed to step 10. Steps 2 - 5 Illustration | | Ethernet or Wireless | Create a new port. | Proceed tostep 6. |
|
| 6 | Next to Type of Port, click the down-arrow and then select Standard TCP/IP port. |
| 7 | Click Next. |
| 8 | Enter required dialog entry fields: - Hostname or IP address: - e.g., 10.10.10.10
- Port Name: - e.g., IP_10.10.10.10
Note: The port name can be changed at the end user's discretion. | If... | Then... | You want to select which driver type is best for your needs | Uncheck Query the printer and automatically select the driver to use. | | You want Windows to select a driver for you | Leave the checkmark. |
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| 9 | Click Next. Windows will query the printer to confirm successful communication. |
| 10 | Click on Windows Update. You will see the message Windows is updating the list of printers. This might take a few minutes.
NOTE: Be patient because this procedure may take up to an hour to complete.
|
| 11 | Once complete, select Lexmark from the Manufacturers list, and select your Printer driver from the Printers list. Possible driver types that may become available: - PS3
- XL
- XPS
- Class (V4)
- HBP (Host Based)
- MS
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| 12 | Click Next. | If... | Then... | | Updating an existing driver | See next step. | | Adding a new driver | See step 14. |
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| 13 | Which version of the driver do you want to use?is displayed if you are updating or replacing an existing driver (type). | Add Printer suggests that you select... | But, you should actually select... | This ensures... | | Use the driver that is currently installed (recommended) | REPLACE THE CURRENT DRIVER, and then select NEXT. | Full replacement and update of driver files. |
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| 14 |
Type a printer name is displayed.Change the printer name if preferred.
NOTE: When you replace the current driver, you will see a (Copy1, 2, 3...) after the printer name.
|
| 15 | Click Next. |
| 16 | Select Set as the default printer, and then click Print a test page. Or, skip both options and simply click Finish to finalize your printer driver update or installation. |
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Still Need Help?
If you require additional assistance, please see Contact information.
NOTE: When calling for support, you will need your printer/model type and serial number (SN). Please call from near the computer and printer in case the technician on the phone asks you to perform a task on this device.
LEGACY ID: HO3873