How to Update Printer Firmware Safely, Step by Step

Your printer runs its own small operating system, called firmware. It handles the control panel, Wi-Fi, the web settings page and the way the printer talks to computers and phones. Makers release new versions to fix bugs, close security holes and sometimes add features such as newer printing standards. Knowing how to update printer firmware is a five-minute job on most current models, and this guide covers the three usual methods, the checks to do first and what to look for afterwards.

Why firmware updates matter

A network printer is a computer on your network, and like any computer it can have security flaws. CISA’s guidance on updating software is blunt: many software updates are created to fix security risks, and if you do not install them, they cannot protect you. CISA also suggests turning on automatic updates in a device’s settings where possible.

Updates can also fix everyday problems: a printer that drops off Wi-Fi, a scanning feature that stopped working with a new computer, or compatibility with newer phone and laptop printing. A firmware update can occasionally add support for driverless printing standards, which matters if you use an Arm-based Windows laptop or Windows protected print mode.

Before you start

• Check the version. Print the printer’s configuration or network status report, or open its web settings page. Note the firmware version so you can confirm the update worked.
• Connect it to the internet. Canon’s manual lists an internet connection as the first requirement, and Epson’s says Web Config can update firmware when the product is connected to the internet. If the printer is not on Wi-Fi, see our wireless printer setup guide.
• Stop printing and clear errors. Epson’s instructions say to make sure the product is not in use and to clear any errors on the screen before starting.
• Keep the power on. Plug the printer into a reliable outlet. Switching it off during an update is the main way updates go wrong.

Method 1: from the printer’s control panel

Printers with a screen usually have a firmware option in the settings or device menu. Canon’s TS6400 manual is a typical example:

1. With the printer on, open the menu from the HOME screen.
2. Select Device settings, then Firmware update.
3. Select Install update and confirm the messages.
4. When the update finishes, the printer turns off and on again by itself.

Other makers use names such as Setup, Settings, General Settings or Maintenance, followed by Firmware Update or Software Update. If you cannot find it, search the online manual for your exact model for “firmware”.

Method 2: from the printer’s web page

Most network printers have a built-in web page that you open by typing the printer’s IP address into a browser. Epson calls it Web Config; Canon calls it Remote UI; others call it the Embedded Web Server or Web Based Management.

Epson’s steps are short: open Web Config, select Device Management, then Firmware Update, click Start to check for the latest version, and click Start again if an update is available. Canon’s Remote UI has a similar Firmware update, Install update option.

You may need the printer’s administrator password. Many newer printers have a unique default password printed on a label; our guide to accessing a printer’s web interface explains where to find it. If you do not know the IP address, see find your printer’s IP address.

Method 3: with the maker’s software or a downloaded file

Some printers, especially USB-only models without a screen, update through the maker’s app or a firmware updater program downloaded from the maker’s support site. Follow the maker’s instructions for your exact model, and:

• Download only from the maker’s own support site. Search for the model, open the drivers and downloads section and choose your operating system.
• Keep the USB cable connected and the computer awake until the updater says it has finished.
• Do not use firmware from file-sharing sites or emails. A modified firmware file is a direct route into your printer.

Automatic firmware updates

Many printers offer an automatic update setting. Epson’s Web Config includes Automatic Firmware Update, and some Canon manuals describe a setting chosen during initial setup that lets the printer update itself when new firmware is available. Turning this on means you will not need to remember to check.

The trade-off is control. Some people prefer to read release notes first, because a few firmware updates have changed which ink or toner cartridges a printer accepts. If that matters to you, keep automatic updates off and check the maker’s notes before updating manually, but do still update regularly.

After the update

1. Print the configuration report again and confirm the new version.
2. Check your computers and phones still find the printer. If a computer has lost it, remove and re-add it; see add a printer in Windows 11 or add a printer on a Mac.
3. Print a test page.
4. If the update changed security settings, such as requiring an administrator password, set one you will remember and store it safely.

If the update fails

• “Cannot connect to server”: check the printer has internet access, not just a local network connection. A guest or isolated network can block it.
• Update stops part-way: leave the printer for several minutes before doing anything. If it still shows an error, contact the maker’s support for your model.
• Printer will not start after an update: do not keep power-cycling it. Note any message on the screen and contact the maker’s support, as recovery steps are model-specific.