How to Download HP DesignJet T650 Printer Driver?

The HP DesignJet T650 is a high-performance wide-format printer designed to meet the demands of professionals in industries like architecture, engineering, and construction. This printer offers exceptional print quality, precision, and efficiency, especially when printing large-format documents such as blueprints, posters, and other graphical prints. To make the most of its advanced features, it is essential to install the correct printer driver for your computer. A printer driver is a software that facilitates communication between your printer and your computer, enabling proper printing functionality.

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process of downloading and installing the HP DesignJet T650 printer driver on both Windows and macOS systems. This step-by-step guide will ensure that you are able to use your HP DesignJet T650 to its full potential.

What is a Printer Driver?

Before we begin, it's important to understand the role of a printer driver. A printer driver is a software application that acts as an intermediary between your computer’s operating system and the printer hardware. It translates the print job from your computer into a language that the printer can understand, allowing for proper printing. The driver also controls important aspects of printing, such as print quality, color settings, and media size.

Without the proper driver, your printer may not work, or you might miss out on certain features. For example, the HP DesignJet T650 includes several advanced functions that require specific drivers to be fully operational. These features can include print resolution adjustments, print size options, and specific color settings.

Step 1: Verify System Requirements

Before you begin downloading the driver, it’s important to verify that your computer meets the necessary system requirements. This will help prevent any installation or compatibility issues later on.

For Windows Users:

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

For macOS Users:

1. Operating System: macOS 10.11 (El Capitan) or later.
2. RAM: At least 2 GB of RAM (4 GB or more recommended).
3. Hard Disk Space: At least 500 MB of free space.
4. Connection Type: The printer supports USB, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi connections.
5. Internet Connection: Required to download the driver and software updates.

Step 2: Access the HP Support Website

The most reliable way to download the HP DesignJet T650 printer driver is through the official HP support website. This ensures you are getting the latest, most compatible drivers and software for your printer.

Here’s how to get to the support page:

1. Open a Web Browser: Open any web browser on your computer (such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari).
2. Visit the HP Support Website: Type support.hp.com in the address bar and press Enter.
3. Search for the Printer: On the HP support homepage, you will see a search bar. Type HP DesignJet T650 into the search field and press Enter.
4. Select Your Printer Model: From the search results, click on the link for HP DesignJet T650. This will take you to the product support page for the printer.

Once you are on the support page, you will find all the necessary drivers and software for your printer.

Step 3: Choose Your Operating System

The next step is to select your operating system. This ensures that HP provides you with the correct driver package that is compatible with your system.

1. Locate the OS Selection Section: On the support page, you will find a section labeled Select Your Operating System or something similar.
2. Select Your Operating System: Use the dropdown menu to select your operating system. Choose either Windows or macOS, depending on your system.
3. Choose the Version: For Windows users, you may need to specify whether you are using a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows. To check which version of Windows you have, go to Settings > System > About and check System Type.
4. Click "Change": After selecting your operating system, click on the Change button. The page will refresh and show the drivers and software that are compatible with your system.

Step 4: Download the Printer Driver

Once you have selected your operating system, the next step is to choose the correct driver for the HP DesignJet T650 printer. Typically, HP offers two main types of drivers:

1. Basic Driver: This is a smaller, simpler driver package that includes only the essential files needed for printing. It’s suitable for users who don’t require any additional features or printer management tools.
2. Full Feature Software and Drivers: This is the recommended driver package for most users. It includes not only the basic driver but also additional software for managing your printer, such as tools for scanning, troubleshooting, and accessing advanced printer settings. This option is ideal for users who want to take full advantage of the printer’s features.

To download the driver:

1. Select the Full Feature Software and Drivers option if you want all the additional features of the printer.
2. Click on the Download Button: Once you have selected the correct driver package, click the Download button. The file will be saved to your computer’s Downloads folder or the location you specify.

The download process may take a few minutes, depending on your internet speed and the size of the driver package.

Step 5: Install the Printer Driver

Once the driver has finished downloading, you can proceed with the installation. The installation process will vary slightly depending on whether you are using Windows or macOS, so let’s go over both.

For Windows Users:

1. Locate the Downloaded File: Open the Downloads folder on your computer and find the driver file. It will usually be an .exe file.
2. Run the Installer: Double-click the .exe file to start the installation.
3. Allow Permissions: If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to allow the installation process to proceed.
4. Agree to the License Agreement: Read the End User License Agreement (EULA) and click Agree to continue.
5. Choose Your Connection Type: The installer will prompt you to choose how you want to connect your printer. You can select from USB, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi. Ensure that your printer is connected to your computer or network.
6. Complete the Installation: Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation. Once the installation is finished, click Finish to exit the setup.

For macOS Users:

1. Locate the Downloaded File: Open the Downloads folder and find the driver file. It will typically have a .dmg extension.
2. Open the Disk Image: Double-click the .dmg file to mount the disk image on your desktop.
3. Run the Installer: Inside the mounted disk image, double-click on the Install icon to begin the installation.
4. Agree to the License Agreement: Review the End User License Agreement (EULA) and click Agree to proceed with the installation.
5. Enter Administrator Password: You may be prompted to enter your macOS administrator password to authorize the installation.
6. Choose Connection Type: The installer will ask you to select the connection type (USB, Ethernet, or Wi-Fi).
7. Complete the Installation: Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation. Once done, click Finish.

Step 6: Set the Printer as Default (Optional)

After installing the driver, you may want to set the HP DesignJet T650 as your default printer. This ensures that it is automatically selected whenever you print something.

For Windows Users:

1. Open Control Panel and navigate to Devices and Printers.
2. Right-click on the HP DesignJet T650 printer icon and select Set as Default Printer.

For macOS Users:

1. Open System Preferences and go to Printers & Scanners.
2. Select HP DesignJet T650 from the list of available printers.
3. Click on Set as Default Printer.

Step 7: Test the Printer

Now that the printer driver is installed, it’s time to test the printer to ensure everything is working correctly.

1. Open any document or image on your computer that you want to print.
2. Go to File > Print and select the HP DesignJet T650 from the printer list.
3. Click Print and wait for the printer to produce the document.

If the document prints successfully, the installation was successful. If there are any issues, double-check your printer connections, ensure the correct driver is installed, and consult the troubleshooting section of HP’s support website.

Step 8: Update the Printer Driver (Optional)

It is a good idea to periodically check for updates to your printer driver. HP regularly releases updates that include performance enhancements, bug fixes, and new features.

To check for updates, return to the HP support website, search for the HP DesignJet T650 printer, and see if a new driver version is available. If there is a newer version, follow the same steps to download and install it.

Conclusion

Downloading and installing the correct printer driver for your HP DesignJet T650 printer is essential for ensuring optimal performance. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily download and install the appropriate driver for your Windows or macOS system. This will enable you to take full advantage of your printer’s features, from large-format printing to advanced print settings.