Will the generic (IPP) driver do, or do I need the vendor one?
Windows 11 and macOS lean on IPP/Mopria more and more. Fine for basic printing; vendor drivers are needed for advanced features.
Try this first
- 1Just print Word/Excel/PDF in mono or colour, duplex? IPP/AirPrint is enough. Keep it simple.
- 2Stapling, folding, hole-punch, department codes, secure print, large-format features? Vendor driver.
- 3Mix: use IPP for mobile devices and guests, vendor driver for fixed workstations. Best of both.
- 4Heads-up: on MFPs you almost always want the vendor driver; scan settings live there.
When to bring us in
For 10+ workstations and a sane driver strategy? We turn it into one engagement: print test, GPO/Intune rollout, ongoing management. No more surprises.
See also
- Printer suddenly not foundFor everyone at once: print server or network. For one person: local Windows driver or expired authorisation.
- Print job stuck in queue, nothing happensA stuck queue blocks all subsequent prints. Cleaning takes two minutes.
- Scanner no longer sends emails (scan-to-email)Almost always: the account the scanner uses had its password expire, or the mail provider blocks old protocols.
None of the above fits?
Describe your situation below. We pass your input plus the steps you already saw to our AI and return tailored next-step advice. If it's too risky to DIY, we'll say so.
Or skip the DIY entirely
Our Managed IT clients do not look these things up. One point of contact, a fixed monthly price, resolved within working hours.