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Windows 11 Compatible Printers – All You Need to Know

Last Updated on March 6, 2023 by Christian Ralph

With the advent of Windows 11, many users may be left wondering which printers are compatible with Microsoft’s latest operating system.

As the rollout of Windows 11 continues into 2022, Windows 10 is currently expected to be supported by Microsoft until late 2025.

With the release of each new operating system, confusion over printer compatibility is inevitable. The good news is that If your PC is currently running Windows 10 then printer compatibility won’t be an issue, but to save you some time, our printer experts have compiled their picks of the best Windows 11 compatible printers.

Despite the aesthetic and functional difference between Windows 10 & Windows 11, printer compatibility will remain unchanged.

Is my printer compatible with Windows 11?

With the vast majority of printers supporting Windows 11, it’s now easier than ever to choose a printer that will operate in your working environment.

Since its release on the 5th October 2021, we have updated our printer compatibility information to indicate Windows 11 compatibility across our entire printer range.

One of the biggest sources of printer compatibility issues is due to outdated drivers.

In simple terms, printer drivers are software which allow your computer to talk to your printer.

If the printer drivers are out of date, a host of compatibility problems can arise.

The latest Windows 11 printer drivers are available for download from their respective printer manufacturer support websites.

Windows 11 compatibility for Xerox users

Xerox printer drivers are divided into three main categories;

Version 3 Global Print Driver (PS and PCL6) – Supports full-featured Desktop printing. Includes support for printing from Modern UI Apps.

Version 4 Drivers- (PS and PCL6) Optimized for Windows 11. Provides access to a richer set of features when printing from Modern UI Apps.

Xerox ® Scan Drivers- (TWIAN/WIA) Xerox ® Scan Drivers provided for Windows 11, including both TWAIN and WIA drivers.

The Xerox Product Compatibility Windows 11 document features a comprehensive list of Xerox printers’ compatibility and explains which driver types are supported on a model-by-model basis.

Windows 11 compatibility for HP users

Similar to Xerox, HP features a range of printer with compatibility being dependent on printer type;

HP Smart app (recommended): HP Smart provides software and drivers that offer full printing solutions.

HP Easy Start: A guided printer installation that provides full feature or basic driver options for download.

Full feature driver download: HP provides full feature drivers containing HP Smart, HP Printer Assistant, or other drivers for printing, scanning, and faxing.

Basic driver download: The basic driver is smaller than the full driver, and it downloads quickly. It provides basic printing functions. However, for multifunction printers, it does not provide the software needed by most users to copy and fax from the computer and to use all the scanning features.

HP Enterprise driver: Enterprise solutions are a subset of the full installation provided to corporate customers. The webpacks contain the installer, the print driver, and a scan driver, depending on the printer.

HP Host-based Plug and Play (PnP) driver download: This driver lets you easily install and remove printer software by automatically determining which drivers support each device. The PnP software recognizes the hardware during initial system installation, recognizes PnP hardware changes that occur between system boots, and responds to run-time hardware events such as docking or undocking and device insertion or removal.

Universal Print Driver download: HP Universal Print Driver (UPD) is an intelligent print driver that supports a broad range of HP LaserJet and multifunction printers. This advanced print driver can discover HP printing devices and automatically configure itself to the capabilities of the device (e.g., duplex, color, finishing, etc).

PCL 6 driver download: Developed by Hewlett-Packard as a printer protocol, Printer Command Language (PCL) has become a de facto industry standard. PCL 6 Enhanced features a new modular architecture that can be easily modified for future HP printer and includes faster return to application, faster printing of complex graphics, more efficient data streams for reduced network traffic, better WYSIWYG printing, improved print quality, and complete backward compatibility.

Windows in-operating system driver: You do not need to download or install any software from HP. If an in-OS driver is available for your printer, Windows supports basic print capability with USB and network connections.

Windows 11 compatibility for Epson users

Epson feature bespoke Windows 11 drivers for their products across the majority of their printer range.

If a Windows 11 driver is not available directly from the Epson support page installation is still possible with the simple drivers that come with Windows 11. The simple drivers will be automatically installed when the printer is connected to the same network as a Windows 11 computer or connected to a Windows 11 computer via a USB cable.

Windows 11 compatibility for Brother users

Brother have been expanding their range of original drivers for their printer range.

For unsupported with Brother original drivers, Windows 10 users may be able to use Windows 11 via the automatic installation of simple drivers with connection via USB or network.