Epson is a trusted brand known for producing reliable and high-performance printers for both home and office use. However, like any hardware, printers can sometimes experience issues with installation, especially if other software or processes on your computer are interfering with the installation of the printer driver. In some cases, the driver installation might fail due to conflicts with other programs, corrupt system files, or malware infections.
One way to solve installation issues is by booting your computer into Safe Mode. Safe Mode is a diagnostic startup mode that loads only essential drivers and services, making it easier to install or troubleshoot drivers without interference from third-party applications or other software.
In this guide, we will show you how to install your Epson printer driver in Safe Mode, including the steps to boot into Safe Mode, install the driver, and verify proper installation.
Why Should You Install Epson Printer Driver in Safe Mode?
Before diving into the installation steps, it’s important to understand why you might want to install the Epson printer driver in Safe Mode:
Avoiding Interference from Third-Party Software: Other software running in the background, such as antivirus programs or system utilities, can interfere with the printer driver installation. Safe Mode minimizes this interference.
Fixing Corrupted System Files: If the installation fails due to corrupt system files or registry entries, Safe Mode can help you bypass these issues.
Troubleshooting Driver Conflicts: If your system has multiple conflicting drivers or software, Safe Mode allows you to install the driver without these conflicts.
Solving Installation Errors: Safe Mode is useful when the regular mode won’t allow installation due to a lack of system resources or software conflicts.
Now, let’s walk through the steps required to install the Epson printer driver in Safe Mode.
How to Install Epson Printer Driver in Safe Mode on Windows?
Step 1: Boot Your Computer into Safe Mode
Press the Power Button:
Start by powering off your computer completely. Turn it back on, but as soon as you see the Windows logo, immediately press F8 (or Shift + F8 on some systems). This will bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu.
Select Safe Mode:
In the boot options menu, use the arrow keys to highlight Safe Mode (you may also see Safe Mode with Networking if you need an internet connection) and press Enter. The computer will start in Safe Mode, and only essential drivers will be loaded.
Log into Your Computer:
Once Safe Mode has loaded, log in to your Windows account as you normally would.
Step 2: Uninstall Any Previous Epson Printer Drivers (If Necessary)
Go to Control Panel:
If there are any previous Epson drivers installed, you may need to uninstall them first before proceeding. Open the Control Panel by typing it into the search bar.
Navigate to Devices and Printers:
In the Control Panel, go to Devices and Printers and find any Epson printers listed.
Uninstall the Printer Driver:
Right-click on the Epson printer and select Remove Device. Then, go to Device Manager (you can search for it in the Start menu) and expand the Printers section to uninstall any existing Epson printer drivers.
Step 3: Download the Latest Epson Printer Driver
Go to the Epson Website:
Open your web browser and go to the official Epson support website.
Search for Your Printer Model:
Type in your Epson printer model (such as Epson EcoTank ET-2720, Epson Workforce WF-3720, or Epson SureColor P900) in the search bar.
Select the Right Operating System:
Choose your computer’s operating system (for example, Windows 10, Windows 11, etc.) and ensure that you download the latest driver version for your printer model.
Download the Printer Driver:
After selecting the correct driver, click Download. The driver will be saved to your computer, usually in the Downloads folder.
Step 4: Install the Epson Printer Driver in Safe Mode
Locate the Downloaded Driver:
Go to the Downloads folder (or the folder where you saved the driver) and locate the Epson printer driver setup file.
Run the Driver Setup:
Double-click on the setup file to start the Epson driver installation process. Since you are in Safe Mode, only essential programs and drivers are running, minimizing the chances of interference during the installation.
Follow the Installation Instructions:
The installation wizard will guide you through the setup. Accept the terms and conditions, and select the type of connection (USB or wireless) that you are using for your Epson printer. If using USB, plug in the printer when prompted.
Complete the Installation:
Follow the prompts and complete the driver installation. Once the installation is finished, restart your computer in regular mode.
Step 5: Verify the Epson Printer Driver Installation
Exit Safe Mode:
After installing the driver, restart your computer to exit Safe Mode. To do this, simply reboot your computer normally without pressing any keys during startup.
Check Printer in Devices and Printers:
After restarting your computer, go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers and verify that your Epson printer is listed.
Print a Test Page:
Right-click on your Epson printer, select Printer Properties, and choose Print Test Page to confirm that the driver is working properly.
How to Install Epson Printer Driver in Safe Mode on macOS?
If you’re using a Mac and want to install the Epson printer driver in Safe Mode, the process is slightly different, but the principle remains the same: Safe Mode can help minimize software conflicts during installation.
Step 1: Boot into Safe Mode on macOS
Power Off Your Mac:
Start by shutting down your Mac.
Start in Safe Mode:
Press the Power button to turn on your Mac. As soon as it begins booting, immediately press and hold the Shift key.
Release the Shift Key:
Release the Shift key when you see the Apple logo appear on the screen. Your Mac will boot into Safe Mode.
Step 2: Download the Epson Printer Driver
Visit the Epson Support Website:
Open Safari (or any other browser) and go to the official Epson support website.
Find Your Printer Model:
Enter your printer model (e.g., Epson EcoTank ET-2720, Epson SureColor P900) into the search bar.
Download the Driver:
Select your operating system (macOS version) and download the latest driver for your Epson printer.
Step 3: Install the Epson Printer Driver in Safe Mode
Open the Downloaded File:
Go to your Downloads folder and double-click the downloaded file (usually a .dmg file) to open it.
Run the Installer:
Follow the on-screen instructions to install the Epson driver. Since you are in Safe Mode, this minimizes the chance of interference from background applications.
Complete the Installation:
Follow the prompts to install the printer driver. Once the installation is complete, restart your Mac in regular mode by clicking on the Apple menu and selecting Restart.
Step 4: Verify Printer Installation on macOS
Check Printer in System Preferences:
Once your Mac has rebooted, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners. Your Epson printer should now appear in the list.
Print a Test Page:
Select your Epson printer and click on Open Print Queue. From here, click on Print Test Page to ensure the installation was successful.
Troubleshooting Tips for Epson Printer Driver Installation in Safe Mode
If you encounter issues during the installation process, here are a few troubleshooting tips to help resolve them:
Ensure No Conflicting Software:
If you are still experiencing problems, ensure that any unnecessary applications (such as antivirus programs) are closed during installation.
Check for Administrator Privileges:
Ensure you have administrator privileges on your computer to install drivers. Without these permissions, the installation may fail.
Reboot in Safe Mode Again:
If the installation process was interrupted, restart your computer in Safe Mode again and retry the installation.
Check for Updated Drivers:
Ensure that the driver you downloaded is the latest version. Sometimes, older drivers can cause issues with newer systems.
Conclusion
Installing an Epson printer driver in Safe Mode is a useful method when dealing with installation failures or conflicts caused by third-party software or corrupted system files. By following the steps outlined above, you can successfully install the Epson printer driver in Safe Mode and ensure that your printer works as expected. Whether you are using a Windows or macOS system, Safe Mode helps eliminate unnecessary software interference, providing a cleaner environment for driver installation.