Windows 11 Can’t Find Printer? Apply These Quick, Easy Fixes
When Microsoft announced Windows 11 to be revolutionary in terms of seamlessness, you’d expect them to have gotten their [expletive] together. But here we go again with another round of bugs.
If you’re here because your Windows 11 can’t find or connect to your printer, I bet you’d be as frustrated as I when I tried printing my pitch deck only to discover that my Windows 11 had started yet another round of being a tough row to hoe.
Don’t let out all that frustration on your printer; it most certainly isn’t its fault. Many other people have complained about this issue, and one or two of the following workarounds I’ve applied should work for you too.
Read on below to find out:
Check Windows Update Section
Most printer-related issues on Windows 11 sprung up after users updated to the build codenamed KB5006746. For some users, Windows could simply not recognize the printer, while for some, the printer would give an error when trying to establish a connection.
Microsoft itself has confirmed the existence of this issue and has released an update that promises to fix it. Check your Windows Update section to see if you have this update yet.
- Hold Windows + I and then launch Windows 11 settings
- Navigate to the updates section and check if there’s any update
- If there is, click on it to start the download if you had disabled automatic downloads
- Check If the Printer’s Drivers Is Up to Date
This particular fix did the trick for me, and many other users have reported that updating their drivers fixed the issues they’re having with their printers. Knock on wood; you can try the same method if Windows 11 can’t find your printer.
- Launch desktop search bar by pressing Windows + C
- Type device manager in the search box
- Launch the app that comes up in the results
- Inside the device manager is a list of hardware on your PC; expand the printers section by clicking on it
- Click on your printer and open the drivers’ section
- Let it search for drivers update automatically in the next prompt.
Disable Windows Firewall
The in-house windows firewall can alter the communication between the software and your printer due to its security systems. This is a possibility, and you can confirm if your firewall is not the culprit by disabling it, after which you can disconnect and reconnect your printer to see if it gets recognized.
To disable Windows Firewall:
- Go to the desktop search bar again to type Windows Defender Firewall and click on the relevant result
- On the left-pane menu of the firewall, click on Turn Windows Defender Firewall On or Off
- Click on the same option for public and private network settings.
- Click ok to save all changes
Troubleshoot Your Printer
Like its predecessors, Windows 11 also comes with an embedded troubleshooting utility that helps fix subtle glitches and errors. You can harness this app to fix all printer-related issues with the following steps:
- Again, launch the Windows settings with the combination of Windows + I
- Navigate to the system bar and then select troubleshoot
- You’ll find the option for other troubleshooters; click on it to access printer troubleshoot
- Run the troubleshoot by clicking on the panel
Final Notes
The fixes I demonstrated above work for many Windows 11 Users whose systems can’t find or connect to their printer. If the problem persists with one printer, you may want to confirm the root of the problem. Apply the methods for another printer to confirm that the issue is not coming from your printer.
