How to Download Dell 720 Printer Driver?Updated 2 months ago

Printers have become an indispensable part of modern-day computing, offering a convenient way to produce physical copies of digital documents, photos, and other media. However, to ensure that a printer operates smoothly and efficiently with your computer, it is essential to install the correct printer driver. This software allows communication between your operating system and the printer hardware, ensuring that print jobs are transmitted and processed properly.

The Dell 720 printer, a compact and reliable device, is widely used in both home and office environments for day-to-day printing tasks. However, like all printers, it requires the appropriate driver to work seamlessly with your computer. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the steps involved in downloading and installing the Dell 720 printer driver. We will also explore common issues, troubleshooting techniques, and best practices to ensure smooth operation of your Dell 720 printer.

What is a Printer Driver and Why is it Necessary?

A printer driver is a software program that acts as a translator between your computer and your printer. When you send a document to print, your computer communicates with the printer through the printer driver. Without the proper driver installed, the printer will not understand the print job commands and, as a result, may not print the document correctly or at all.

For the Dell 720 printer, the driver allows the printer to work with various operating systems, including Windows and macOS. Without the correct driver, the printer will fail to perform tasks such as printing, scanning, or even responding to commands from your computer. In addition to facilitating communication between the printer and your computer, the printer driver also ensures that advanced features such as print quality settings, paper size configurations, and ink level monitoring are functioning properly.

Why Do You Need to Download the Dell 720 Printer Driver?

You need to download the correct printer driver for your Dell 720 printer for the following reasons:

1. Compatibility: The driver ensures that your printer works with your specific operating system, whether it’s Windows, macOS, or another system.

2. Performance: Installing the right driver optimizes the printer’s functionality, improving its printing speed, print quality, and overall performance.

3. Feature Accessibility: The correct driver provides access to all the features of your Dell 720 printer, such as custom print settings, paper management, and other advanced options.

4. Troubleshooting: If your printer isn’t working correctly, the driver plays a crucial role in diagnosing and resolving issues, as it often contains troubleshooting tools and resources.

5. Security Updates: Printer drivers are periodically updated to fix bugs, patch security vulnerabilities, and improve compatibility with newer software. Having the latest driver ensures your printer remains secure and performs optimally.

Step-by-Step Guide to Download the Dell 720 Printer Driver

To get started with downloading and installing the Dell 720 printer driver, follow this step-by-step guide. Make sure to carefully follow each step to ensure that the installation process is smooth.

Step 1: Determine Your Operating System

Before downloading the driver, it is essential to know which operating system your computer is running. Printer drivers are designed specifically for different operating systems, so selecting the correct one is vital.

1. For Windows Users:

   • Open the Start Menu and type “About your PC” in the search bar.
   • Click on About your PC.
   • Under Windows specifications, you will see details about the version and architecture (e.g., Windows 10, 64-bit).

2. For macOS Users:

   • Click on the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen.
   • Select About This Mac.
   • The version of macOS will be displayed, for example, macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or macOS 11.2 (Big Sur).

Once you know the version of your operating system, you can proceed with downloading the correct printer driver.

Step 2: Visit the Dell Support Website

Now that you know which operating system you are using, it’s time to visit the Dell support website to download the correct printer driver. Follow these instructions:

1. Open your internet browser and go to the official Dell support website by typing “Dell support” into the search engine or entering the address www.dell.com/support directly.

2. Once on the Dell support page, locate the search bar or the "Search for a product" section.

3. Type in Dell 720 or Dell 720 Printer into the search field and press Enter or click the search icon.

4. The website will display a list of results related to the Dell 720 printer. Select the appropriate option that corresponds to your Dell 720 printer model.

Step 3: Select Your Operating System

On the Dell support page dedicated to the Dell 720 printer, you will find a list of available drivers for different operating systems. Since printers have specific drivers tailored to different operating systems, it is essential to select the right one for your computer.

1. Look for a dropdown menu or a list where you can choose your operating system. For example, you may see options such as Windows 10 (32-bit or 64-bit), Windows 7, macOS versions, and others.

2. Select the correct operating system version based on the earlier step where you determined your computer’s OS.

Step 4: Download the Driver

Once you have selected the correct operating system, the website will present you with a list of drivers and software packages available for download. Follow these steps to download the Dell 720 printer driver:

1. Look for the driver that is compatible with your operating system. This is often listed under the “Drivers” or “Downloads” section. The driver for the Dell 720 printer is usually the first or most prominent option.

2. Click on the Download button next to the appropriate driver version for your operating system.

3. The driver file will begin downloading. Depending on your internet connection speed, this may take several minutes.

4. Once the download is complete, you can proceed to the installation process.

Step 5: Install the Printer Driver

After downloading the printer driver, you will need to install it on your computer to ensure that the Dell 720 printer works properly. The installation process may vary slightly depending on whether you're using Windows or macOS. Below is a general guide to installing the driver:

1. For Windows Users:

   • Navigate to the folder where the driver file was downloaded (typically the Downloads folder).
   • Locate the driver file and double-click it to begin the installation process.
   • Follow the on-screen instructions, including agreeing to the terms and conditions of the software.
   • Choose the installation settings as prompted. The default settings are usually recommended.
   • The installation process may take several minutes. Once completed, restart your computer to ensure all changes are properly applied.
   • After the restart, connect your Dell 720 printer to your computer via USB or network (Wi-Fi, Ethernet), depending on how you intend to use the printer.
   • Windows should automatically detect the printer and finish the installation process. You may be asked to select the printer as the default printer.

2. For macOS Users:

   • Locate the downloaded driver file (usually found in the Downloads folder).
   • Double-click the file to open the installer package.
   • Follow the installation prompts, entering your administrator password if necessary.
   • Once the driver installation is complete, restart your Mac to apply the changes.
   • After restarting, connect the Dell 720 printer to your Mac, either via USB or over the network.
   • The system should automatically detect the printer and configure it for use. If not, go to System Preferences > Printers & Scanners and add the printer manually.

Step 6: Test the Printer

Once the driver is installed and the printer is connected to your computer, it’s time to test the printer to ensure that everything is working properly. Printing a test page will allow you to confirm that the driver installation was successful.

1. For Windows Users:

   • Open Control Panel and go to Devices and Printers.
   • Right-click on the Dell 720 printer icon and select Printer Properties.
   • Click on Print Test Page to test the functionality of the printer.
   • If the test page prints successfully, the installation was successful.

2. For macOS Users:

   • Open System Preferences and go to Printers & Scanners.
   • Select your Dell 720 printer from the list of available printers.
   • Click on Open Print Queue and then click on Print Test Page to test the printer.

Step 7: Keep Your Printer Driver Updated

It is important to regularly check for driver updates to ensure your printer continues to function at its best. Dell occasionally releases updated drivers to improve printer performance, fix bugs, or add new features.

To check for driver updates, visit the Dell support website, enter your printer model, and download the latest driver if available. Many operating systems also allow you to enable automatic updates for printers, which can help keep your printer’s driver current without needing to manually check for updates.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While the process of downloading and installing the Dell 720 printer driver is straightforward, issues may arise during or after installation. Here are some common problems and troubleshooting steps:

1. Printer Not Detected:

   • Make sure the printer is turned on and properly connected to your computer.
   • Try restarting both the computer and the printer.
   • Ensure that your printer is selected as the default printer in your operating system’s printer settings.

2. Driver Installation Fails:

   • Ensure that you are downloading the correct driver for your operating system.
   • If installation fails, try running the installer as an administrator (right-click on the installer and select Run as Administrator).
   • Uninstall any previous printer drivers and attempt to reinstall the latest driver.

3. Printing Problems:

   • Check the printer’s paper tray, ink levels, and connectivity to ensure there are no physical issues with the printer.
   • Run the printer troubleshooter (on Windows) or check the printer queue on macOS for stuck print jobs.

4. Slow Printing:

   • Check your print settings and adjust the print quality to a lower setting if necessary.
   • Ensure that the printer is connected to a stable network if printing over Wi-Fi.

Conclusion

Downloading and installing the correct printer driver for your Dell 720 printer is crucial for ensuring that your printer works seamlessly with your computer. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily download the appropriate driver for your operating system, install it, and configure your printer to deliver high-quality printouts.

In addition to installation, it is essential to keep your printer driver updated to ensure optimal performance, security, and compatibility. If you encounter any issues during the installation process, troubleshooting steps can help resolve common problems.