Brand notes
Samsung printer fixes and tips
Independent notes on Samsung Xpress, ProXpress and older ML, SCX, CLP and CLX lasers, now supported through HP: drivers, toner, Wi-Fi and common faults.
About these printers
Samsung made laser printers and multifunction printers for homes and offices until it sold its printing business to HP. HP completed the purchase in 2017, and since then drivers, firmware and support for Samsung-branded printers have been provided through HP’s support site.
Samsung-branded printers are no longer made, so any Samsung printer in use today is several years old. They are mostly lasers: the Xpress and ProXpress ranges, and the older ML, SCX, CLP and CLX models. Age shows up in predictable ways: drivers for current operating systems, Wi-Fi compatibility with newer routers, and worn rollers and fusers.
When HP’s support site asks for a product, search for the Samsung model name as printed on the printer. Windows Update and the built-in print support in other systems can also handle basic printing on some models, depending on the printer’s age.
Common printer families
- Xpress
- Compact home and small-office lasers, monochrome and color, with model codes starting SL-M or SL-C. Many have Wi-Fi.
- ProXpress and MultiXpress
- Business lasers (ProXpress) and larger office multifunction printers (MultiXpress), usually used on office networks.
- ML, SCX, CLP and CLX
- Earlier ranges: ML for monochrome printers, SCX for monochrome multifunction printers, CLP for color printers and CLX for color multifunction printers.
Habits worth knowing
Drivers now come from HP
Samsung’s website points printer owners to HP. On HP’s support site, search for the Samsung model name, choose your operating system and download the listed driver; for many models HP also lists a Samsung universal print driver. Avoid driver download sites that aren’t run by HP or Microsoft.
Older drivers on newer Windows
If no driver is listed for your exact Windows version, try the newest one HP lists for your model, or the Samsung universal print driver, before anything else. Windows 11 can also install a basic driver for some models through Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Scanning on an older all-in-one may need the scan driver from HP’s site even when printing works.
Older Wi-Fi meets newer routers
Many Samsung printers connect only to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and use WPA2 security, not WPA3. If a router upgrade knocked yours off the network, make sure a 2.4 GHz network is turned on and the router allows WPA2, or a mixed WPA2/WPA3 mode. A USB or Ethernet cable avoids the problem entirely where the model has those ports.
Imaging units and waste toner on color models
Many Samsung color lasers use a separate imaging unit and waste toner container alongside the four toner cartridges. A message about either of them isn’t a toner problem, and the printer stops when the waste container is full. Match the message wording against the supplies list in the user guide before ordering.
Toner chips and replacement messages
Samsung toner cartridges carry a chip that the printer reads for the remaining level. If a new cartridge still shows as empty or isn’t recognized, take it out, check that no packing tape or clip remains, and reseat it firmly. A cartridge with an incompatible chip can produce the same message, so trying one from a different source tells you which part is at fault.
Mobile printing without the old app
Samsung’s own mobile printing apps may no longer be available. On an iPhone or iPad, AirPrint works with many network-connected Samsung models; on Android, the default print service or the Mopria print service covers many others. If neither finds the printer, the model may predate those standards, so print from a computer instead.
Common fixes for Samsung printers
- Drivers & software Printer driver is unavailable or missing Windows shows Driver is unavailable, or the printer has no working driver. Clear out the broken one and install a clean, matching driver from a safe source.
- Drivers & software Printer driver won’t install The printer installer stops, shows an error, or finishes without adding the printer. Work through the usual blockers on Windows and Mac, one at a time.
- Drivers & software Printer stopped working after a Windows update Printing worked until Windows updated itself. Find out what the update changed, get the right driver back, and fix shared printers without weakening security.
- Setup & mobile Printer won’t join your Wi-Fi network Get a printer onto Wi-Fi from its panel, the WPS button or the maker’s app, and clear the usual blockers: 5 GHz-only networks, password typos and guest Wi-Fi.
- Ink, toner & tanks Still says toner low after replacing the cartridge New toner in, but the printer still says low, empty or replace? Check whether it means the drum, remove the packaging, reseat it and read a supplies page.
- Paper & feeding Paper is jammed in the printer Paper stuck inside? Remove it safely in the direction it travels, find any torn scraps, then reload the tray so it doesn’t happen again. Covers inkjet and laser.
- Paper & feeding Printer won’t pick up paper The rollers turn but the paper stays put, or nothing feeds at all. Check the tray, paper and settings, then clean or assess the pickup rollers that grab each sheet.
- Scan & copy Computer can’t find the scanner Your all-in-one prints, but scan apps say no scanner was found. Get the scan driver, the network and the scanner itself talking again on Windows or Mac.
Error codes and messages
Samsung’s own support
Drivers, firmware, manuals, warranty claims and repairs come from the manufacturer. This link leaves Printwright.
HP Customer Support (for Samsung printers) (opens in a new tab)Common questions
Who supports Samsung printers now?
HP. Samsung sold its printing business to HP, which completed the purchase in 2017, so drivers, firmware and support for Samsung printers are on HP’s support site.
Can I still buy toner for a Samsung printer?
Toner for many Samsung models is still sold, and HP lists Samsung supplies for many of them. Supplies for older models can be harder to find, so check the part number in your user guide before ordering.
My Samsung printer worked until I changed my router. What now?
The printer probably can’t join the new network, often because it’s set up as 5 GHz only or WPA3 only. Turn on a 2.4 GHz network with WPA2 or mixed WPA2/WPA3 security, then run the printer’s Wi-Fi setup again.