How to Download HP M479fdw Printer Driver?

The HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdw is a versatile and powerful multifunction printer designed to meet the needs of businesses, home offices, and professional users. Offering high-quality color printing, scanning, copying, and faxing, the HP M479fdw is known for its efficiency, speed, and exceptional print quality. However, to ensure that your printer works seamlessly with your computer, it is essential to have the proper printer driver installed. Printer drivers allow your computer to communicate with the printer, enabling it to send print jobs, access scanning functions, and configure print settings.

In this article, we will walk you through the process of downloading the HP M479fdw printer driver, covering both Windows and macOS operating systems. By following the step-by-step instructions, you will have your printer set up and ready to use in no time.

What is a Printer Driver?

A printer driver is a software program that enables your computer to communicate with the printer hardware. It acts as an intermediary that translates the print job from your computer into a format that the printer understands. Without the correct driver, your computer won’t be able to communicate effectively with the printer, and you will encounter issues such as print jobs not being processed correctly or the printer failing to respond.

HP provides printer drivers for various operating systems like Windows, macOS, and others. For the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdw, you can download the driver directly from HP’s official website, ensuring that you receive the latest, most compatible version for your system.

Step 1: Check System Requirements

Before you download the driver, it’s important to verify that your system meets the minimum requirements for the driver installation. This ensures that your computer is capable of handling the driver and that the installation process runs smoothly.

For Windows:

1. Operating System: Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, or 11 (32-bit or 64-bit versions).
2. Processor: At least 1 GHz processor or faster.
3. RAM: Minimum 1 GB of RAM (2 GB recommended for optimal performance).
4. Hard Disk Space: Minimum 500 MB of free space for installation.
5. Connection Type: You can connect your printer using a USB cable or over a network (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
6. Internet Connection: Required to download the drivers and updates.

For macOS:

1. Operating System: macOS 10.9 or later.
2. RAM: At least 1 GB.
3. Hard Disk Space: Minimum 500 MB of free space for the installation.
4. Connection Type: USB, Wi-Fi, or Ethernet.
5. Internet Connection: Required for downloading drivers.

Make sure your computer meets these requirements before beginning the download process.

Step 2: Visit the Official HP Support Website

The safest and most reliable place to download the HP M479fdw printer driver is from HP’s official support website. This ensures that you are getting the most up-to-date and compatible driver for your printer. Third-party websites may offer outdated or unreliable drivers, which can cause performance issues or even damage your computer.

To start the download process, follow these steps:

1. Open your preferred web browser (such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Safari).
2. In the address bar, type support.hp.com and press Enter to access the HP support homepage.
3. Once on the homepage, you’ll see a search bar. Type HP M479fdw into the search bar and press Enter.
4. From the search results, select the correct printer model (HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdw).
5. This will take you to the printer’s support page, where you can find drivers, software, and other useful resources.

Step 3: Select Your Operating System

Once you are on the HP M479fdw support page, the website will automatically detect your operating system. However, if it doesn’t, you can manually select your operating system from a drop-down menu.

1. On the support page, find the option to select your operating system.
2. Choose Windows or macOS from the available options. Then, select the specific version of your operating system (e.g., Windows 10, macOS 11).
3. After selecting your operating system, the website will display a list of available drivers and software compatible with your system.

Step 4: Choose the Correct Driver Package

HP typically offers two types of driver packages for their printers:

1. Basic Driver: This is the minimal driver package needed for printing. It is small in size and includes only the essential components required for the printer to function. If you don’t require advanced features like scanning or faxing, the basic driver may be enough.
2. Full Feature Software and Drivers: This package includes everything the basic driver offers, along with additional software for enhanced printer functionality. This may include scanning software, printer management tools, and additional utilities for customizing print settings. For most users, the Full Feature Software and Drivers package is the recommended choice as it provides the complete set of features for the HP M479fdw.

Once you have selected the driver package that best suits your needs, click the Download button next to the appropriate option.

Step 5: Download the Printer Driver

After selecting the driver package, the file will begin downloading automatically. The time required for the download depends on the size of the driver package and the speed of your internet connection. Typically, the file will be saved in your Downloads folder, but you can choose a different location if desired.

It’s important to wait for the download to complete before proceeding. You can check the download progress in your browser’s download manager. Once the download finishes, proceed to the next step.

Step 6: Install the Printer Driver

After downloading the driver package, it’s time to install it on your computer. The installation process differs slightly between Windows and macOS. Follow the appropriate set of instructions based on your operating system.

Installing on Windows:

1. Locate the downloaded file: Open the Downloads folder on your computer and find the downloaded driver file (usually with a .exe extension).
2. Run the installer: Double-click the driver file to launch the installation process.
3. Allow permissions: If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to allow the installer to make changes to your computer.
4. Agree to the License Agreement: The installation wizard will present the License Agreement. Read it carefully and click I Agree to continue.
5. Select the connection type: The installer will ask you to choose how you want to connect the printer (via USB, network, or Bluetooth). Select the appropriate connection method for your setup.
6. Connect the printer: If you selected a USB connection, connect the printer to your computer when prompted. If you are using a network connection, ensure the printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi or Ethernet network as your computer.
7. Complete the installation: The installer will now install the necessary software and drivers. Once the installation is complete, click Finish to exit the wizard.

Installing on macOS:

1. Locate the downloaded file: Open the Downloads folder on your Mac and find the driver package (usually a .dmg file).
2. Open the disk image: Double-click the .dmg file to mount the installer disk image.
3. Run the installer: In the window that opens, double-click the Installer to start the installation process.
4. Agree to the License Agreement: Review the License Agreement, and click Agree to proceed.
5. Enter your password: macOS may ask for your administrator password to allow the installation. Enter your password and click OK.
6. Select the connection type: Choose whether you want to connect the printer via USB or Network. If you are connecting via network, ensure your printer is connected to the same network as your computer.
7. Complete the installation: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. Once done, click Finish to exit the installation wizard.

Step 7: Set the Printer as Default (Optional)

After installation, you may want to set the HP M479fdw as your default printer. This will make it the printer of choice for all print jobs on your computer.

For Windows:

1. Open the Control Panel and navigate to Devices and Printers.
2. Right-click the HP M479fdw printer and select Set as Default Printer.

For macOS:

1. Open System Preferences and click Printers & Scanners.
2. Select HP M479fdw from the list of printers.
3. Click Set as Default Printer.

Step 8: Test the Printer

Now that the driver is installed, it's a good idea to test the printer to make sure it’s functioning correctly. Follow these steps to print a test page:

1. Open a document or image on your computer.
2. Select Print from the File menu.
3. Choose HP M479fdw from the list of available printers.
4. Click Print to send the job to the printer.
5. Wait for the printer to process the print job and produce a printed document.

If the printer prints the document correctly, then the installation was successful. If the printer is not responding or there are any issues, consult the printer’s manual or troubleshooting guides for additional help.

Step 9: Update Printer Drivers (Optional)

It is important to keep your printer drivers up to date in order to ensure optimal performance. HP frequently releases updates that include bug fixes, improvements, and new features. To check for driver updates, you can revisit the HP support website and download the latest version of the driver.

Conclusion

Downloading and installing the HP M479fdw printer driver is a straightforward process that ensures your printer works seamlessly with your computer. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily download the driver, install it on your system, and begin using your printer to its full potential. With the correct drivers in place, you will be able to take advantage of all the advanced features of the HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M479fdw, including fast color printing, high-resolution scanning, and more. If you encounter any issues during installation, make sure to check the troubleshooting section of the user manual or consult HP support for assistance.