How to Download HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdn Printer Driver?

The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdn is a versatile and powerful multi-functional printer that can handle various printing, scanning, copying, and faxing tasks. Its robust design, high print quality, and ease of use make it a great choice for both small businesses and home offices. However, to ensure that your printer works effectively, it’s crucial to download and install the appropriate printer driver for your operating system.

A printer driver acts as the communication bridge between your computer and printer. It ensures that your computer sends print jobs in the correct format and allows you to access all of the printer’s features and settings. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to download and install the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdn printer driver for both Windows and macOS users.

What is a Printer Driver?

A printer driver is a specialized software program that allows your computer to communicate with the printer. When you send a document to print, the printer driver translates that document into a format that the printer understands. It also enables you to adjust print settings such as paper size, color preferences, and print quality.

Without the correct printer driver, your printer may not work, or you may not have access to all its features. This is why downloading and installing the right driver is essential for getting the most out of your HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdn printer.

Step 1: Verify System Requirements

Before you begin the download process, make sure that your computer meets the necessary system requirements to run the printer driver. Ensuring your system is compatible with the printer driver will help you avoid installation issues and ensure the printer functions optimally once the driver is installed.

For Windows Users:

1. Operating System: Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, or 11 (both 32-bit and 64-bit versions are supported).
2. Processor: A minimum of 1 GHz processor (64-bit processor recommended for better performance).
3. RAM: At least 1 GB of RAM (2 GB or more recommended).
4. Hard Disk Space: At least 500 MB of available disk space for the installation.
5. USB or Network Connection: The printer can be connected via USB, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi.
6. Internet Connection: Required to download the driver and software updates.

For macOS Users:

1. Operating System: macOS 10.9 or later.
2. RAM: At least 1 GB of RAM (2 GB or more is recommended).
3. Hard Disk Space: At least 500 MB of available disk space.
4. USB or Network Connection: The printer can be connected via USB, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi.
5. Internet Connection: Required for downloading the driver and software updates.

By ensuring your computer meets these system requirements, you’ll set yourself up for a smooth and successful installation process.

Step 2: Visit the Official HP Support Website

The safest way to download the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdn printer driver is through the official HP website. This ensures that you’re getting the correct, up-to-date driver version and reduces the risk of installing potentially outdated or malicious software from third-party websites.

Here’s how you can visit the official HP support website:

1. Open Your Web Browser: Open any web browser on your computer (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge).
2. Go to the HP Support Website: Type support.hp.com in the address bar and press Enter to access the official HP support page.
3. Search for Your Printer: In the search bar, type HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdn and press Enter.
4. Select Your Printer: From the search results, click on the link for HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdn to go to the printer’s dedicated support page.

Once you’re on the support page for your printer, you’ll find the drivers, software, and troubleshooting resources that you need.

Step 3: Choose Your Operating System

After you’ve navigated to the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdn support page, you need to select the correct operating system (OS) for your computer. This ensures that you download the right version of the driver, as the printer driver will differ between Windows and macOS.

Here’s how to select your operating system:

1. Find the OS Selection Section: On the HP support page, scroll down to the Select Your Operating System section. HP may automatically detect your OS, but if it doesn’t, you can select it manually.
2. Select Your Operating System: Choose your operating system from the dropdown menu (for example, Windows 10, Windows 11, or macOS).
3. Select Version: For Windows users, you’ll also need to specify whether your system is running a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows.
4. Confirm Selection: Once you’ve selected the correct operating system and version, click Change to confirm your selection.

The page will refresh and display a list of available drivers for your selected operating system.

Step 4: Choose the Driver Package

HP usually provides multiple driver packages for the Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdn printer. The two main types of driver packages you’ll encounter are:

1. Basic Driver: This package contains the essential driver necessary for printing. It’s a lightweight package and is ideal if you only need to print documents without any advanced printer management features. However, it lacks utilities like scanning, faxing, or managing printer settings.
2. Full Feature Software and Drivers: This is the recommended package for most users. It includes the full set of drivers and software for your printer, such as utilities for printing, scanning, faxing, and managing printer settings. This package is ideal if you plan to use all the features of the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdn.

Choose the driver package that best suits your needs. For most users, the Full Feature Software and Drivers package is the best option. After selecting the package, click on the Download button to begin the downloading process.

Step 5: Download the Printer Driver

After selecting the driver package, the download process will start automatically. The size of the driver file depends on the software package you selected, but it is generally between 100 MB and 300 MB.

Wait for the download to finish, and once it’s complete, the file will usually be saved in your Downloads folder. If you chose a different location for your downloads, navigate to that folder.

Step 6: Install the Printer Driver

Once the driver file has been downloaded, you can begin the installation process. The installation steps are slightly different for Windows and macOS users.

For Windows Users:

1. Locate the Downloaded File: Open your Downloads folder and find the downloaded file, which should be an .exe file.
2. Run the Installer: Double-click the .exe file to start the installation wizard.
3. Allow Permissions: If prompted by the User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to allow the installation process to continue.
4. Agree to the License Agreement: Read and accept the End User License Agreement (EULA) to proceed with the installation.
5. Choose Connection Type: The installer will ask how you want to connect your printer. You can choose from USB, Wi-Fi, or Ethernet.
6. Connect the Printer: If you are connecting via USB, plug the printer into your computer when prompted. For network or Wi-Fi connections, make sure your printer is connected to the same network as your computer.
7. Complete the Installation: Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation. Once the installation is complete, click Finish.

For macOS Users:

1. Locate the Downloaded File: Open your Downloads folder and find the downloaded file, which should have a .dmg extension.
2. Open the Disk Image: Double-click the .dmg file to mount the installation disk image.
3. Run the Installer: In the window that appears, double-click the Install icon to start the installation process.
4. Agree to the License Agreement: Review and agree to the End User License Agreement (EULA).
5. Enter Administrator Password: You may be prompted to enter your Mac’s administrator password to authorize the installation.
6. Choose Connection Type: Select USB, Wi-Fi, or Ethernet as your connection method.
7. Complete the Installation: Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation. After finishing, click Finish to exit the installer.

Step 7: Set the Printer as Default (Optional)

Once the driver is installed, you may want to set the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdn as your default printer. This ensures that it’s automatically selected when you print a document.

For Windows:

1. Open the Control Panel and navigate to Devices and Printers.
2. Right-click on the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdn printer and select Set as Default Printer.

For macOS:

1. Open System Preferences and click on Printers & Scanners.
2. Select the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdn printer from the list.
3. Click Set as Default Printer.

Step 8: Test the Printer

After installation, it’s always a good idea to test the printer to make sure everything is working properly. You can do this by printing a test page or any document.

1. Open a document or image on your computer.
2. Go to the File menu and click Print.
3. Select HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdn from the printer list.
4. Click Print and wait for the document to print.

If the printer produces the document without issues, the installation was successful. If you face any issues, you can refer to the printer’s manual or troubleshooting section on the HP website for further assistance.

Step 9: Update the Printer Driver (Optional)

HP occasionally releases updates for the printer driver. These updates may include new features, bug fixes, or performance improvements. To ensure your printer functions at its best, it’s recommended to periodically check for updates.

To update the driver, visit the HP support website again, search for your printer model, and download the latest driver version. Install the update by following the steps mentioned earlier.

Conclusion

Downloading and installing the correct printer driver for your HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdn is crucial for ensuring that your printer operates correctly and takes full advantage of all its features. By following the detailed steps in this article, you can easily download, install, and configure the printer driver for both Windows and macOS systems. Whether you're printing professional documents, scanning images, or managing print jobs, the right driver ensures that the printer works efficiently and effectively.