Kodak Printer Guide

Kodak printers—especially the ESP and HERO inkjet lines—were designed for simple home printing and good photo color. Many are still in use today, but because Kodak no longer actively updates drivers for every modern operating system, owners often run into the same set of questions: How do I connect it to Wi‑Fi? Where do I get drivers? Why does it print faint or blank? How do I print from a phone? This guide answers those questions with practical setup steps and realistic fixes.

Identify Your Kodak Model

Kodak inkjet models typically fall into a few families:

• ESP series: general home all‑in‑ones (ESP 3, 5, 7, 9, 5250, etc.).
• HERO series: slightly newer models with better photo features.
• Office series: less common SMB models.

Most wireless Kodak printers support 2.4 GHz Wi‑Fi only. If your model has no Network menu or wireless light, it is likely USB‑only.

Connect Kodak Printers to Wi‑Fi

On wireless models, open the printer’s Network Settings menu, choose Wi‑Fi Setup Wizard, select your SSID, and enter the password. Place the printer close to your router during setup. If your router merges 2.4 and 5 GHz into one SSID, temporarily split bands and connect Kodak to 2.4 GHz.

Some Kodak printers support WPS push‑button setup. If available, enable WPS on the printer, press the router’s WPS button within two minutes, and wait for a solid wireless light.

USB Setup (Non‑Wireless Models)

If your Kodak printer is USB‑only, install drivers first, then connect USB when prompted. Use a direct USB port (no hubs) and a short cable. Once installed, you can share the printer through a computer or a router USB print‑sharing feature if you want “wireless” use.

Driver Download and Installation

Kodak’s official driver portal has limited updates for modern OS versions. If your exact OS isn’t listed, use the nearest compatible driver:

• Windows 10/11: often works with Windows 8/7 Kodak Home Center drivers in compatibility mode.
• macOS: may rely on AirPrint/Bonjour or third‑party scanning apps because Kodak Home Center isn’t supported on newer macOS builds.

Install Kodak Home Center if available—it includes scanning tools and maintenance options. If not, add the printer by IP or USB using the OS’s built‑in driver and test printing.

Scanning on Kodak Printers

Scanning usually works through Kodak Home Center on Windows. On macOS, test with Image Capture. If scanning is missing or fails over Wi‑Fi, disable VPN, allow scanning apps through firewall, and confirm the printer and computer are on the same subnet.

Fix Kodak Printer Not Printing Black Properly

Black‑ink issues are common on older Kodak heads. Fixes include reseating the black cartridge, removing vent tape, printing a nozzle check, running printhead cleaning once or twice, and priming with a few black pages. If a genuine new black cartridge still won’t print, the printhead may be failing.

Print Quality Problems (Streaks, Banding, Faded Photos)

Print a test/nozzle pattern from the maintenance menu. If colors are missing, run printhead cleaning and then print a few pages to prime. Use correct paper type settings in the driver; Kodak printers lay down different ink loads depending on media. Store paper dry and flat. Print weekly to prevent dried nozzles.

Offline or Printer Not Found

If your computer can’t find the Kodak printer:

• Confirm the printer is connected to the correct 2.4 GHz SSID.
• Print a network report and note the IP.
• Add the printer by IP (Windows TCP/IP port, macOS IPP).
• Reserve the printer IP in the router to prevent address changes.
• Clear stuck jobs and restart the spooler if needed.

Printing from Phones

Many Kodak printers predate AirPrint/Mopria. If your phone doesn’t see the printer automatically, you can:

• Print via a shared computer that hosts the Kodak printer.
• Use a router USB print‑sharing feature if supported.
• Email or transfer files to a computer and print there.

Some later HERO models may appear in AirPrint once connected to Wi‑Fi, but results vary.

Legacy Support Tips

Because Kodak stopped active development, keep these realities in mind: use compatibility mode for older drivers, avoid firmware changes unless necessary, and rely on manual IP setup when auto‑discovery fails. If scanning tools are unavailable on your OS, third‑party apps like VueScan can restore scanning.

Quick Checklist

• Confirm model and whether it supports Wi‑Fi (2.4 GHz only).
• Connect via Wi‑Fi wizard/WPS or USB.
• Install Kodak Home Center drivers where available.
• Add by IP and reserve IP to fix offline problems.
• Run nozzle checks/cleaning for black or color issues.

With these steps, most Kodak printers can continue working reliably even on modern networks and operating systems.