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Fix Printer Connection and Printing Problems in Windows 10: Notes

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46 views

Fix Printer Connection and Printing Problems in Windows 10: Notes

for Fix printer connection

Uploaded by

Manoj Agnihotri
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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5/2/2019 Fix printer connection and printing problems in Windows 10 - Windows Help

Fix printer connection and printing


problems in Windows 10
Applies to: Windows 10

If you’re trying to use your printer and run into problems, here are some
steps for common printer problems to try to get things working again.

Notes
If you're running Windows 8.1 or Windows 7, see Fix printer
problems in Windows 7 and Windows 8.1.
If you need help installing your printer in Windows 10, see Install
a printer in Windows 10.
If your PC is running Windows 10 S, some printers might not work
with it, or they might have limited functionality. For more info,
see Device support on Windows 10 S.
If you're looking for help with a scanner, see Install and use a
scanner in Windows 10.

Hide All

 Step 1. Unplug and restart your printer


Sometimes power cycling your printer can resolve the issue. Turn off
your printer and unplug it, wait 30 seconds, plug your printer back in,
and then turn the printer back on.

If your printer still doesn’t work, continue to step 2.

 Step 2. Check cables or wireless connection


Check the cables (for wired printers). Make sure that the printer's USB
cable is properly connected from the printer to your PC. If your USB
isn’t recognized, see Automatically diagnose and fix Windows USB
problems.

Check the wireless connection (for wireless printers). Do one of the


following:

Make sure the printer’s wireless option is turned on and available.


Many printers have a button that displays a blue wireless icon
when a wireless connection option for the printer is available. To
learn where this button is located on your printer and to find
instructions about how to turn it on, see the instructions that came
with the printer or check the manufacturer's website for
instructions.
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Run the printer’s wireless connectivity test. Many printers have a


menu option to test the printer’s wireless connectivity. Read the
instructions that came with the printer or check the printer
manufacturer’s website for instructions about how to do this.
If those check out and you’re still having problems, your PC may
not be connecting to your wireless network. To learn more, see
Why can't I get online? For more advanced help, see Fix network
connection issues in Windows.
If you're having trouble connecting to a Bluetooth printer, see Fix
Bluetooth problems in Windows 10: FAQ.

Note
If you use wireless access points, extenders, or multiple wireless routers with
separate SSIDs, make sure you're connected to the same network as the
printer for your PC.

If your printer still doesn’t work, continue to step 3.

 Step 3. Uninstall and reinstall your printer


Try removing and reinstalling the printer.

Remove your printer

1. Select the Start  button, then select Settings  > Devices  >


Printers & scanners .
2. Under Printers & scanners, find the printer, select it, and then
select Remove device.

Reinstall your printer

You'll need to follow different steps to reinstall or add a wireless or


local printer. Here's how.

Reinstall a wireless printer

1. Select the Start  button, then select Settings  > Devices  >


Printers & scanners .
2. Select Add a printer or scanner. Wait for your device to find
nearby printers, choose the one you want, and then select Add
device.

If your printer is turned on and connected to the network, Windows


should find it easily. Available printers can include all printers on a
network, such as Bluetooth and wireless printers, or printers that are
plugged into another computer and shared on the network. You might
need permission to install some printers.
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Notes
If you use wireless access points, extenders, or multiple wireless routers with
separate SSIDs, make sure you're connected to the same network as the
printer for your PC to find and install it.

If you have a new wireless printer that hasn’t been added to your home
network, read the instructions that came with the printer and check the
printer manufacturer’s website to learn more and to get up-to-date software
for your printer.

Tip
You can print a test page to make sure the printer is working correctly. If
you've installed the printer but it doesn't work, check the manufacturer's
website for troubleshooting information or driver updates.

Reinstall a local printer

If you want to reinstall or add a local printer, plug the USB cable from
your printer into an available USB port on your PC, and then turn on
the printer.

1. Select the Start  button, then select Settings  > Devices  >


Printers & scanners .
2. Under Printers & scanners, look for your printer.
If you see your printer listed, you'll know it's installed.
If you don't see your printer listed, select Add a printer or
scanner. Wait for your device to find available printers,
choose the one you want, and then select Add device.

Tip
You can confirm the printer is working by printing a test page. If you've
installed the printer but it doesn't work, check the manufacturer's website for
troubleshooting information or driver updates.

If your printer still doesn’t work, continue to step 4.

 Step 4. Install the latest driver for your printer


Most printers require the latest driver to work well. To learn more,
read How to install the latest driver for your printer.

If your printer still doesn’t work after you install the latest driver for
your printer, continue to step 5.

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 Step 5. Run the printing troubleshooter


Download and run the printing troubleshooter.  It can fix problems with
installing and connecting to a printer. (This link should open a browser
page and download dialog. Select Open, and follow the steps provided
in the troubleshooter.)

If the printing troubleshooter link doesn't open the troubleshooter,


in the search box on the taskbar, enter Printing problem in, select
Printing problem in in the list of results, and then select
Troubleshooter to download it. Select Open, and follow the steps
provided in the troubleshooter.

If your printer still doesn’t work, continue to step 6.

 Step 6. Clear and reset the print spooler


If the previous troubleshooting step is not successful, you may need to
clear spooler files and restart the spooler service. The print spooler is a
file that manages the printing process. To clear and reset the print
spooler:

1. In the search box on the taskbar, type services, and then select
Services in the list of results.
2. Select the Standards tab, and then double-click Print Spooler in
the list of services.
3. Select Stop, and then select OK.
4. In the search box on the taskbar, enter
%WINDIR%\system32\spool\printers, select
%WINDIR%\system32\spool\PRINTERS in the list of results, and
then delete all files in the folder.
5. In the search box on the taskbar, search for services, and then
select Services in the list of results.
6. Select the Standards tab, and the double-click Print Spooler in the
list of services.
7. Select Start, select Automatic in the Startup Type box, and then
select OK.

If your printer still doesn’t work, continue on to step 7.

 Step 7. Fix printer problems after updating Windows 10


If you're having problems printing after upgrading or updating to the
latest version of Windows 10, see Fix printer problems after upgrading
or updating Windows 10.

If your printer still doesn’t work, continue to step 8.

 Step 8. Change a printer's status to "online"

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If your printer displays an "offline" status, check out Troubleshooting


offline printer problems.

Last Updated: 24 Apr 2019

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