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. Show
Before you beginStart by running the automated printer troubleshooter in the Get Help app. Get Help automatically runs diagnostics and takes the correct steps to fix most printer issues. Open Get Help If the Get Help app is unable to resolve your printer issue, try the possible solutions listed: 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. 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. 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. 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. Try removing and reinstalling the printer. Remove your printer Select the Start button, then select Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & scanners . Select the printer you want to uninstall. Select the Remove button. Then confirm you're sure you want to remove this device by selecting Yes. Reinstall your printer 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. To reinstall your printer, follow these steps: Select the Start button, then select Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & scanners . Make sure your printer is turned on and connected. Then select the Add device (or Refresh) button. Please wait a moment while Windows searches for the printers that are connected to the device (locally or wirelessly). Windows will then display a list of printers connected to your device. If you see your printer listed, select the Add device button for your printer. If you don't see your device listed, select Add manually. 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 your printer manually If the system cannot install the printer automatically, you can reinstall it manually. When you select Add manually, you will then see five options to Find a printer by other options. Select the option that applies best for your situation and then follow the steps provided. All of the options can apply for a printer that is connected wirelessly or through your network. However, if your printer is connected directly to your computer locally, select Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings and then select Next. Reinstall a local printer manually After selecting Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings, follow these steps:
If your printer still doesn’t work, continue to step 4. 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:
If your printer still doesn’t work, continue on to step 6. Notes:
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. 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:
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. Try removing and reinstalling the printer. Remove your printer
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
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. Notes:
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.
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. 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:
If your printer still doesn’t work, continue on to step 6. When you connect a printer to your PC or add a new printer to your home network, you can usually start printing
right away. Windows supports most printers, and you probably won't have to go out of your way to install special printer software. If you're using Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1, additional printer support and drivers are available through Windows Update. In most cases, all you have to do to set up a printer is to connect it to your PC. Simply plug the USB cable from your printer into
an available USB port on your PC, and turn the printer on. For wireless printers with Windows 8.1: Note: If you have a new wireless printer that hasn’t been added to your home network, read the instructions that came with the printer to learn how to add it. Check the printer manufacturer’s website to learn more and to get up-to-date software for your printer. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings. (If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, select Settings, and then select Change PC settings.) Tap or click PC and devices, and then tap or click Devices. If your printer is installed, it should appear under Printers. If your printer isn’t listed, tap or click Add a device, and then select your printer to install it. Click the Start button, and then, on the Start menu, click Devices and Printers. Click Add a printer. In the Add Printer wizard, click Add a local printer. On the Choose a printer port page, make sure that the Use an existing port button and the recommended printer port are selected, and then click Next. On the Install the printer driver page, select the printer manufacturer and model, and then click Next. If your printer isn't listed, click Windows Update, and then wait while Windows checks for additional drivers. If none are available and you have the installation CD, click Have Disk, and then browse to the folder where the printer driver is located. (For additional help, consult the printer manual.) Complete the additional steps in the wizard, and then click Finish. 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. To install a network, wireless, or Bluetooth printerIf you're trying to add a network printer at the office, you'll usually need the name of the printer. If you can't find it, contact your network administrator.
Tip: 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. You can confirm the printer is working by printing a test page. Note: After your printer is installed, you can keep it up to date with automatic Windows 7 driver updates. Troubleshoot printer problemsStart by checking your hardwareMake sure that the printer's electrical cord is plugged into an electrical outlet and that the power switch is turned on. If you're printing to a shared printer or a printer on a network, make sure that all necessary computers and routers are turned on too. If your printer or other equipment is plugged in to a surge protector or a backup power supply, make sure that hardware is plugged in and turned on as well. If you’re using a wired printer, make sure that the printer cable is properly connected from the printer to your PC. For wireless printers, check the wireless connection. Make sure the printer’s wireless option is turned on and available. Many printers have a button that displays a blue wireless icon when wireless is available. Next, run the printer’s wireless connectivity test. Read the instructions that came with the printer or check the printer manufacturer’s website for instructions about how to do this. Use a troubleshooterA troubleshooter is an automated tool that can find and automatically fix some problems with your PC. The printing troubleshooter can fix problems with installing and connecting to a printer. Update driversMost printers require driver software to work properly. If you recently upgraded from one version of Windows to another, it's possible that the current printer driver is for the previous version of Windows. If you've had recent power outages, viruses, or other computer problems, it's possible that the drivers have become damaged. Downloading and installing the latest driver for your printer can resolve these types of problems. Three ways to find and install a driver:
Support for Windows 7 ended on January 14, 2020. Technical assistance and software updates from Windows Update that help protect your PC are no longer available for Windows 7. Microsoft strongly recommends that you move to Windows 11. Click here to get more info and learn what it means for you. Related topicsFind out how to install a printer in Windows. Find out how to add a printer in Windows. Find out how to download printer drivers in Windows. Find out how to install printer drivers in Windows. Find out how to set up a default printer in Windows. Find out how to view a printer queue in Windows. Find out how to change the printer status from "offline" to "online" in Windows. If you are having a problem changing your printer "offline" status, go to troubleshooting offline printer problems in Windows. Why is my computer not recognizing my wireless printer?Remove and Re-Add Your Printer in Windows
If this happens, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners, select your printer, and remove it. Then click Add a Printer or Scanner to re-add it to the device list. Incredibly (and frustratingly), this often gets things up and running again.
Why isn't my printer responding to my computer?Check that all printer cables are connected properly and be sure that the printer is turned on. If everything is connected properly and powered up, go to the computer's "control panel" from the "start" menu. Choose "printers" and be sure that your printer is selected as the default.
Why is my wireless HP printer not responding?Check the printer connection status: Make sure the wireless signal is on, and the printer is connected to the same network as your computer or mobile device. If your printer has a light next to a Wireless icon or button , make sure the light is on. If it is off or blinks, the printer is disconnected from the network.
How do I reset my wireless printer?Press and hold the Wi-Fi button on the back of the printer for five seconds or until the control panel display shows a prompt. On the prompt, touch OK to restore the network default settings.
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