A printer driver is a software application that allows your computer to communicate with your printer and send print jobs to it. The driver serves as an intermediary between the operating system and the printer hardware, translating the print commands sent by the computer into a language that the printer can understand.

Printer drivers are typically specific to the model and manufacturer of the printer. When you install a printer on your computer, you will usually need to download and install the appropriate driver software for that printer. Many modern printers will automatically download and install the driver software when you connect them to your computer, but you may still need to manually install drivers for some older or more specialized printers.

Different operating systems may require different printer drivers, so it's important to ensure that you have the correct driver installed for your specific operating system. Updating your printer drivers can also improve the performance and compatibility of your printer, so it's a good idea to check for updates regularly.