Installing printer driver on offline desktop

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  1. JW01
    Posts : 12
    Windows 10
       New #1

    Installing printer driver on offline desktop


    I have a Brother 2037 printer attached to my offline desktop which worked fine under Windows 7.
    However, I was told I needed internet access to install drivers under Windows 10.
    I followed Microsoft Support instructions to install for USB connection: remove device, uninstall software, turn off and unplug printer, wait 30 seconds, plug it back in and turn it on.
    However, it still would not print and a message said no driver available.
    I am running out of ideas.
    Can anyone help?
    Many thanks.
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  3. dalchina
    Posts : 45,910
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       New #2

    This driver download page suggests drivers for this are not available from Brother's site:
    https://www.brother.co.uk/support/hl2037

    (Click View Downloads -> statement of error from site)

    A version for Win 8 seems to be available here:
    Brother HL-2037 Driver Download for Windows, Mac, Linux | CPD

    I suggest you try downloading one and installing that.
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  4. JW01
    Posts : 12
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    Thanks for your reply.
    One thing I omitted to mention is that in Windows 10 (and I think also in 8) the printer drivers are built into Windows (so not available elsewhere) and should be automatically installed when the printer is recognised.
    So I am baffled when the printer is recognised but no drivers are available.
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  6. dalchina
    Posts : 45,910
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       New #4

    Well, it depends. There are an awful lot of printers out there, and a good many older ones.

    Put another way, why does Brother provide driver downloads if they aren't necessary? Different printers have different capabilities and need different drivers.

    Another aspect is whether Windows recognising a new device then is able to download a driver for that device. Presumably you have a working internet connection and have not disabled updates, for example.

    If you wish to try to solve the problem, you need to approach it another way.
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  7. JW01
    Posts : 12
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #5

    I have a working internet connection with Windows updates on my laptop so I can print from there, but it involves finding some space to move the laptop so I can attach the printer to it.
    It's much simpler if I can print from the desktop where the printer is normally attached.
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  8. dalchina
    Posts : 45,910
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       New #6

    Firstly, that means you can download the driver on your laptop if you can't connect your desktop to the internet for some reason (you say it's 'offline' in the title I now realise again).

    Then put that on a flash drive, say, and transfer it to your desktop. Then install it there.

    Secondly my refernce to the working internet is to the driver being downloaded on demand. Which won't happen if you keep your destop disconnected.

    Thirdly as you have 2 PCs, in principle you can attach your printer to the laptop, network it, and print from your desktop. However, having a printer remote from where you're working is hardly ideal. Just an observation.

    Fourthly, if you have a working driver for that printer on your laptop, you can export it from your laptop onto a flash drive, and so install it on your desktop.
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  9. MisterEd
    Posts : 2,494
    Windows 11 Pro 64-bit v23H2
       New #7

    I agree. You need to keep the printer connected to one of the computers with the USB cable and then share it on your network. Then you can print from either one of your computers. Ideally you would do that from your desktop. I did it that way for over 10 years until I switched to using a printer with a WiFi connection to my router.

    The only annoyance of connecting the printer using a USB cable is that the computer it is connected to must be turned on in order to use the printer.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Installing printer driver on offline desktop-2023-05-13-14_01_31-overview-brother-hl-2030-service-manual-page-15-_-manualslib-mozilla-f.jpg   Installing printer driver on offline desktop-2023-05-13-14_02_51-functions-brother-hl-2030-service-manual-page-17-_-manualslib-mozilla-.jpg  
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  10. garlin
    Posts : 1,066
    Windows 7
       New #8

    Windows Update has a Brother HL-2030 series driver (same family as HL-2037). But you can download and install it offline.

    Download a copy of the driver CAB file on your laptop, and transfer it by USB stick to the desktop. Using 7-Zip, extract the CAB file to a local folder (don't use Explorer to extract files).

    W10 64-bit:
    https://catalog.s.download.windowsup...4803d4d942.cab
    W10 32-bit:
    https://catalog.s.download.windowsup...ff887adffa.cab

    Under Settings, manually add a new printer and select "Have Disk..." Open the CAB folder, and select the single INF file. Now your printer driver will be installed.
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  12. JW01
    Posts : 12
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #9

    Many thanks Garlin, this is exactly what I was looking for.
    However, frustratingly I'm not there yet.
    When I try to add a printer from Windows Settings it searches for a printer but finds nothing (it is plugged in, switched on and connected by USB).
    I get a little more information when I try to update its driver from Device Manager. I get the following message: Windows found drivers for your device but encountered an error while attempting to install them: The specified port is unknown.
    I don't know what to do about that. Can you help?
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  13. PiKo
    Posts : 705
    W10
       New #10

    ...........it searches for a printer and finds nothing...
    Is not on the same page a text: when the printer is not found.... or manual installation? Continue here.
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