Epson is a widely recognized brand for producing a variety of printers, known for their excellent print quality and durability. When you purchase a new Epson printer or reconnect an older one, installing the printer driver is a crucial step in ensuring that your printer functions properly. If you're using a USB connection between your Epson printer and computer, the process of manually installing the printer driver is straightforward but requires attention to detail.

In this article, we'll guide you through the steps of manually installing the Epson printer driver using a USB connection. Whether you're using Windows or macOS, the following steps will help you set up your Epson printer efficiently.

Why Manually Install the Epson Printer Driver Using USB?

Before we get into the installation process, it's essential to understand why you might want to manually install the Epson printer driver via USB:

1. USB Connectivity: A direct USB connection is often faster and more stable than wireless connections, especially if you're in an environment with poor Wi-Fi signal strength.

2. No Network Configuration Needed: If you don’t want to deal with network configuration issues or if you prefer not to connect your printer to a Wi-Fi network, a USB installation is a good alternative.

3. Troubleshooting: If your wireless printer is showing offline or having connectivity issues, a USB connection can be a quick workaround until the network issues are resolved.

Now, let’s dive into the detailed steps for manually installing the Epson printer driver using USB.

How to Manually Install Epson Printer Driver Using USB on Windows?

If you’re using a Windows computer, follow these steps to manually install the Epson printer driver using a USB cable.

Step 1: Connect Your Epson Printer to the Computer via USB

1. Power On the Printer:

   • Make sure your Epson printer is powered on and ready to connect.

2. Plug in the USB Cable:

   • Connect the printer to your computer using the USB cable. One end of the cable should go into the printer’s USB port, and the other end into an available USB port on your computer.

Step 2: Download the Epson Printer Driver

1. Go to the Epson Support Website:

   • Open your web browser and navigate to the official Epson support website.

2. Search for Your Printer Model:

   • In the search bar, type your Epson printer model (e.g., Epson EcoTank ET-2720, Epson Workforce WF-3720, Epson SureColor P900) and select your printer from the results.

3. Choose Your Operating System:

   • Select your version of Windows (e.g., Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows 7, 32-bit or 64-bit). If you’re unsure, you can check your system version by going to “Settings” > “System” > “About” on your computer.

4. Download the Driver:

   • Under the "Driver & Downloads" section, locate the most recent version of the printer driver and click on the "Download" button. The file will download as an executable (.exe) file.

Step 3: Install the Epson Printer Driver

1. Open the Downloaded File:

   • Once the driver file has downloaded, navigate to your “Downloads” folder (or the folder where you saved the file) and double-click on the .exe file to begin the installation process.

2. Follow the Installation Wizard:

   • The Epson printer driver installation wizard will open. Follow the on-screen instructions. You will be asked to agree to the terms and conditions.

3. Select USB Connection:

   • During the installation process, you will be asked to choose the connection type. Select the “USB” option. The installer will automatically detect the printer via the USB cable.

4. Complete the Installation:

   • Follow the remaining prompts to complete the installation. This may include selecting the printer as the default printer and choosing any additional software that you wish to install (such as Epson Scan or Epson Easy Photo Print).

5. Finish the Installation:

   • Once the installation is complete, you may be asked to restart your computer. After restarting, your Epson printer should be ready to use.

Step 4: Verify Printer Installation

1. Check Printer in Devices and Printers:

   • Go to "Control Panel" > "Devices and Printers" on your computer. Your Epson printer should appear in the list of connected devices.

2. Print a Test Page:

   • Right-click on your printer in the “Devices and Printers” window and select "Printer properties." From there, click on the “Print Test Page” button to verify that the printer is installed and functioning properly.

How to Manually Install Epson Printer Driver Using USB on macOS?

If you’re using a Mac, the steps to manually install the Epson printer driver using a USB cable are slightly different but straightforward. Follow these instructions:

Step 1: Connect Your Epson Printer to the Mac via USB

1. Power On the Printer:

   • Ensure that your Epson printer is turned on and ready to connect.

2. Connect the USB Cable:

   • Plug the USB cable into the printer and the other end into an available USB port on your Mac.

Step 2: Download the Epson Printer Driver

1. Visit the Epson Support Website:

   • Open Safari (or another browser) and go to the official Epson support website.

2. Search for Your Printer Model:

   • Type your Epson printer model (e.g., Epson EcoTank ET-2720, Epson Workforce WF-3720, Epson SureColor P900) in the search bar and select your printer from the results.

3. Select macOS Version:

   • Choose the macOS version that matches your system (e.g., macOS Monterey, macOS Big Sur, or earlier). You can check your macOS version by going to the Apple menu > “About This Mac.”

4. Download the Driver:

   • Find the latest printer driver under the "Driver & Downloads" section and click on the "Download" button. The driver will download as a .dmg file.

Step 3: Install the Epson Printer Driver

1. Open the Downloaded File:

   • Once the driver has been downloaded, go to the “Downloads” folder and double-click the .dmg file to open it.

2. Run the Installer:

   • Inside the mounted disk image, double-click the installer package to begin the installation.

3. Follow the On-Screen Instructions:

   • Follow the steps outlined in the installation wizard. You will need to agree to the terms and conditions and possibly provide your administrator password.

4. Select USB Connection:

   • The installer will prompt you to choose a connection type. Select “USB” for a wired connection.

5. Complete the Installation:

   • Complete the installation process by following the remaining prompts. Once the installation is finished, the Epson printer will be set up for use.

Step 4: Verify Printer Installation

1. Check Printer in System Preferences:

   • Go to “System Preferences” > “Printers & Scanners” on your Mac. Your Epson printer should appear in the list of printers.

2. Print a Test Page:

   • Select your Epson printer and click on the “Open Print Queue” button. From here, you can select “Print Test Page” to ensure everything is working as expected.

Troubleshooting Tips for Installing Epson Printer Driver via USB

If you encounter any issues during the installation process, here are some troubleshooting tips to help resolve common problems:

1. Check USB Cable and Ports

• Ensure that the USB cable is securely connected to both the printer and the computer. Try using a different USB port if the connection seems faulty.

2. Reboot Your Devices

• Sometimes, restarting your printer and computer can resolve any minor connection issues that might be preventing the driver from installing correctly.

3. Ensure Printer Is Powered On

• Confirm that your Epson printer is powered on before starting the installation process. If the printer is off, the computer won’t be able to detect it.

4. Reinstall the Driver

• If you’re still having issues, try uninstalling the printer driver and reinstalling it. Sometimes, corrupted files can prevent the driver from installing correctly.

5. Check for OS Compatibility

• Double-check that you’ve downloaded the correct driver for your operating system version (Windows or macOS). Ensure that the driver matches your system’s architecture (32-bit or 64-bit on Windows, and the appropriate macOS version).

6. Update Your Operating System

• Make sure your operating system is up to date. Sometimes, installing the latest OS updates can resolve driver installation issues.

Conclusion

Manually installing the Epson printer driver using a USB connection is a simple and effective way to ensure your Epson printer is up and running. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily connect your printer to your computer, install the necessary drivers, and start printing in no time. Whether you’re using a Windows or macOS system, the process is straightforward, and troubleshooting tips are available in case you encounter any issues during the setup.