Troubleshooting Solutions To Common Printer Connection Problems
My computer cant find my printer, what do I do?
This tends to happen with older printer models that arent quite compatible with your computers current operating system. In the event that your Windows computer does not recognize your printer, return to your Devices tab under your Windows settings. Click Add Printers & Scanners and let your computer search again.
If it still does not appear, an option under the Refresh button should appear that reads The printer that I want isnt listed. Windows integrated troubleshooting guide will take over and search for available linked printers. Once located, Windows will provide the corresponding driver for you to download to complete the installation.
If the troubleshooter is still unable to connect your printer, turn to your printer manufacturers website for a better understanding of why the connection is misfiring.
My computer cant install the printer software, what do I do?
Technology can be extremely fussy, and even more so when its brand new and you expect things to run smoothly. If your computer is not responding to your new printer connection by prompting the installation of the printers software, heres an easy fix.
Sometimes it just takes a little direct plugging to fire things up. Your printer should have been packaged with a USB cable regardless of whether it is a wireless or wired printer.
My printer is unable to print over a network, what do I do?
Is your printer properly connected?
Connecting A Printer To An Android Device
Google Cloud Print used to be the go-to service for connecting your Android device to a printer, but it was shut down at the end of 2020. Fortunately, there’s an easy option included in the Android operating system the Default Print Service.
Connecting via Wi-Fi
Android’s Default Print Service basically tells your phone or tablet to find printers on the same Wi-Fi network. The printer must support it as well, but the good news is every major manufacturer is on board.
To avoid any issues, you need to stay connected to the same Wi-Fi access point throughout the process. Often you’ll have multiple Wi-Fi network points, and sometimes a device will go hunting for the best Wi-Fi signal which means your smartphone may hook up to a different access point without you even knowing. If you find you can’t print, check that your smartphone is on the Wi-Fi access point you expect it to be on.
To connect your phone via the Default Print Service, go into the phone’s settings, search for “printing”, then select it from the results. Next, tap Printing in the list of Connection preferences, select Default Print Service and turn it on. A list of compatible printers on the network should appear. Select your one from the list.
Your phone should automatically detect printers on the same network.
If your printer doesn’t appear in the list then you have three options.
Brand specific services can find their printers on the same network.
Connecting via Bluetooth
How The Print Spooler Service Is Not Running Error Message Appears
Here are the different types of print spooler errors you can encounter:
- “Windows cannot connect to the printer. The local print spooler service is not running.”
- “Operation could not be completed. The print spooler service is not running.”
Whichever error you encounter, the solutions for fixing them are the same.
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Connect Bluetooth Printers And Iphones
To get started, make sure:
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The battery is charged and the device is connected to an AC outlet.
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Compatible receipt paper is loaded.
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The printer has been turned on.
For more information on the initial setup of the printer, refer to the manufacturers manual for your model: Star Micronics SM-S220i and Star Micronics SM-T300i.
To connect your Bluetooth receipt printer:
Visit your iOS device settings. Tap Settings> Bluetooth> toggle Bluetooth on.
Open the Square app and tap More.
Select Settings> Hardware > Printers> Create Printer Station.
Enter a name for your printer, and tap No Printer Selected.
Select Connect a Bluetooth Printer and follow the on-screen instructions.
Once your printer is paired, return to the Square app and tap Print Test.
In the section Use this printer for, toggle on what youd like to print depending on your needs: Receipts, In-person order tickets, Order ticket stubs and Void tickets.
Tap Save.
Learn more about creating printer stations.
How To Connect To A Network Printer In Mac Os X
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How To Test Your Wireless Printer
The final step is to test your wireless printer setup to make sure it’s correct.
Open a document or file on your computer or mobile device.
Select Print, as appropriate.
Select the wireless printer in the printer list.
If the printer doesn’t appear in the list, restart the printer or the mobile device. If you continue to experience issues, refer to the printer manufacturer’s website for help.
Select OK or Print, and the document or file prints after a short delay.
How To Reset The Kyocera Printer
You can resolve the Kyocera printing problem by resetting your printer.
Here are the steps to hard reset your Kyocera printer:
If the above solutions have not worked, you can reach the support team by calling the help number. You can discuss the issue on a call with a tech expert for an instant solution for all the queries. It is a time-efficient method to resolve the Kyocera printer not printing issue. In addition, you can email the support team to resolve the printing error. However, emailing is a time-consuming option.
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You Can Do This Manually Or Have Windows Do It Automatically
- Emporia State University
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- Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners> Add device.
- Select Add device to install the printer automatically.
- Choose Add manually for manual installation options.
This article explains how to add a printer to Windows 11. A printer can be added manually or automatically, so both sets of directions are provided.
How To Set Up A New Printer
Trying to get your new printer up and running? Here are the basic steps you’ll follow to set up almost any printer.
Plug in the printer’s power cable and make sure it’s turned on.
Connect the included cable from the printer to the computer. Note: The process will be different if you’re using a wireless printer we’ll talk more about that later on.
On your computer, locate the Printersettings. If you’re using a Windows computer, you’ll find these in the Control Panel. If you’re using a Mac, you’ll find them in System Preferences.
Look for the option to Add a printer, then follow the instructions that appear.
Now it’s time to try printing something! For example, you could try printing this test page. After you click the link, select File > Print from your web browser’s menu, or simply press Ctrl+P on your keyboard .
A dialog box will appear. Locate and select the new printer from the list, then click Print.
The item will then be printed. But if it doesn’t work, don’t panic! You can try using some of the solutions to common problems below.
Solutions to common problems
Advanced troubleshooting
If you’re still having trouble, you can try to find help for your specific printer. We’ve collected a list of support pages for some of the most common printer brands below:
Another idea would be to run a Google search describing your problem, including the brand and model number. In the example below, we’re searching for canon MX920 not responding.
What about wireless printers?
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How To Connect Your Wireless Printer In Windows 10
Don’t you just despise those times when you need to print something quickly, but your printer is packed away somewhere, or you need to keep plugging in a pesky USB cable? To improve your workflow when working from home, it’s worth picking up a wireless printer. This will unlock remote access, enabling Windows 10 to print, fax, and scan without being physically attached to the unit. Let’s take a look at how to set up your wireless printer in Windows 10.
Change The Default Printer
Windows will attempt to set the default printer by selecting the one used most recently on the connected network. This is toggled on by default and will mean that the OS can remember which printer to use when switching between networks. Not everyone needs or wants this functionality, and luckily it’s really easy to turn it off.
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Managing Printers In Windows 10
Now that youve learned how to connect a printer, its time to learn how to manage them. Say you have multiple printers at home or in the office and you have connected them all to your computer. Whenever you need to see which printers are indeed added or if you want to manage them, all you have to do is open Devices and Printers again.
Alternatively, you can click on the Start button, then click Settings and find Devices. Open Printers and Scanners to find all of your connected printers. You can then check on their properties and choose which one to set as the default. You can also conveniently set your printing preferences or remove a printer from this interface.
Troubleshooting Tips For Wifi Printer Issues
In case you are having troubles using your connected Wireless Printer, or maybe even during the setup, we have some useful tips for you that you can try out to fix the issues.
- While trying to connect a wireless printer with your computer, always make sure both the computer and the printer are connected over the same wireless network.
- In case your computer fails to find your printer over the network, you can connect your printer with the computer via USB and complete the setup on a wired connection to install the drivers. Later on, you can shift back to the wireless mode and start using the printer normally.
- If the printer has suddenly stopped responding, you can try turning off the printer for a few seconds, and then restart it, to fix the Printer hardware issues.
- If your problem is software-based, you can run the Troubleshooter program on your computer to look for the problems and fix them. Simply go to the Devices and Printers section on your computer > Click on your Printers name > Click on Manage > Run the Troubleshooter.
- If any of the above tips are not working, you can try to remove the Printer, and Add it back once again. For that, you can simply go to the Devices and Printers section> Find your Printer and click on it > Click on Remove. Now, connect your printer using a USB connection, and set it up once again by clicking on the Add a Printer option.
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Use Add Printers & Scanners
The new Windows Settings world works the same as in the Control Panel, but it looks different enough to cause confusion for some. Note that if this is at work and youre not an administrator, the printer must be on the network and the driver already installed. If its not installed, youll get a prompt to enter the administrator account name and password.
To Install Or Add A Network Wireless Or Bluetooth Printer
If your printer is 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.
Select Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners .
Next to Add a printer or scanner, select Add device. Wait for it to find nearby printers, then choose the one you want to use, and select Add device.
If your printer isn’t in the list, next to The printer that I want isn’t listed, select Add manually, and then follow the instructions to add it manually using one of the options.
Notes:
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If you use wireless access points, extenders or multiple wireless routers with separate SSIDs, you’ll need to ensure that you’re connected to the same network as the printer for your PC to find and install it.
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If you have a new wireless printer that hasnt been added to your home network, read the instructions that came with the printer, and check the printer manufacturers website to learn more and to get up-to-date software for your printer.
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Option 2 Connect The Printer To Your Laptop Via A Cable
If you have the right printer cable, you can connect your printer to your laptop via the cable.
Step 1: Identify the right cable to connect the printer to your laptop
Check the port on your printer and your laptop to see which type of cable can be used to connect your printer to your laptop.
Here are the most common types of printer cables:
Step 2: Attach the cable to your printer and to the laptop
Connect your printer to your laptop with the cable, and your Windows system will automatically install the right driver for your printer. Then you should be able to use your printer on your laptop.
To keep your printer running smoothly, it is important to update drivers for it. Check Step 3 to see how to update printer drivers automatically.
Step 3: Update your printer driver
Printer problems, such as blank page printing, may occur if youre using the wrong printer driver or its outdated. To keep your printer running smoothly, it is essential that you have the latest correct driver at all times.
There are two ways you can get the right drivers for your devices: manually or automatically.
Manual driver update You can update drivers manually by going to the manufacturers website for each of your devices, and searching for the most recent correct driver. Be sure to choose only drivers that are compatible with your Windows version.
1) and install Driver Easy.
2) Run Driver Easy and click the Scan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any problem drivers.
How To Connect A Printer Via Wireless Network
If you want to connect a wireless printer, the connection process may seem more daunting, but youll be surprised to find how smooth the transition from wired to wireless can be.
Step 1: Locate your settings
- Once turned on and ready for configuration, youll need to connect the printer to your home WiFi
- While the steps on installation vary by manufacturer, most modern printers will have an LCD screen that lists the available WiFi networks
- On this screen, click around and locate the setup page that allows you to adjust the Wireless LAN Settings
Step 2: Link your WiFi network
- After accessing your LAN settings, youll need to locate your home network service set identifier – better known as your SSID
- You can find your SSID by hovering your mouse over the WiFi icon located at the bottom right of your taskbar
- Your SSID is also located on the bottom or side of your internet service providers router
Step 3: Complete connectivity
- With the SSID selected, youre ready to enter your network password
- Once entered, your printer is prepped for all printing activity
Step 4: Locate your printer settings
- Locate the gear icon link to your settings window and click on the icon labeled Devices
Step 5: Connect the printer to the computer
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Connect From A Mac Workstation
When prompted to save your user name and password do not check save password in the keychain until you confirm your connection works. If you have issues in the future you may need to delete the keychain entry and re-enter your credentials
You will now see the printer listed on the Print & Fax window, with a green dot indicating the printer is available , and the status of the printer.