Printers have, of late, become mainstream, and there are several dependable printers available for both home and office use. So the inability to find and connect to one presents a major problem. Let’s find out all about it and the solutions that worked for others.

Why can’t I find my printer in Windows 10?

Here are a few reasons Windows 10 can’t find your printer even though it’s turned on:

Network issue: In most cases, it’s the misconfigured network or PC settings when you can’t find a printer on the network in Windows 10. Improper connection: When a wired printer cannot be connected, it’s usually an improper connection or a damaged cable to blame. The printer is incompatible: Before you proceed to the troubleshooting, it’s imperative to identify whether the printer is compatible with the PC. Because if it’s not, there’s little chance that it works. Outdated driver or firmware: If the printer firmware or driver is outdated, you may encounter issues trying to connect to it.

What can I do if Windows 10 can’t find a printer?

Before we head to the slightly complex fixes, here are a few quick ones you can try:

Restart the computer and check if Windows 10 still can’t find the shared printer. For wired ones, ensure the cable is plugged in firmly at both ends and that there are no damages. In the case of wireless printers, verify whether both the printer and the computer are on the same network if Windows 10 can’t find the network printer. Check for any pending Windows Updates and install them. Go through the printer’s manual or the official website, and verify whether it’s compatible with the PC.

If none of the work, move to the ones listed next.

1. Run the troubleshooter

If you can’t find a wireless printer in Windows 10, the primary approach should be to run the built-in troubleshooters. We recommend running both the Printer and Hardware and Devices troubleshooter to identify and eliminate the underlying cause effectively.

2. Reinstall printer drivers

3. Update printer drivers

When Windows 10 can’t find printer, updating the driver may do the trick. The Device Manager method works as an offline update, so you might have to manually install the driver from the manufacturer’s website. Another dependable procedure for updating your printer drivers is using specialized programs, such as DriverFix, that automatically obtain the correct and newest versions from its database. SPONSORED ⇒ Get DriverFix

4. Uninstall recent Windows Update

If Windows 10 can’t find a printer after an update, it could be a bug in the current version or an introduced incompatibility to blame. So, the best option here is to uninstall the update until the issue is resolved by Microsoft in the subsequent versions of the OS.

5. Clear files

6. Disable the firewall

Several users also found that their firewall blocked the printer, and, as a result, Windows 10 can’t find the printer. Though, we don’t recommend disabling the firewall for long since it puts your PC at high risk. So, if this method works, either install a reliable antivirus with online security or go with an effective firewall.

7. Modify the Registry

One of the solutions here should have helped when Windows 10 can’t find a printer, and if the problem reappears, you know where to look for. Also, find some quick tips and tricks to boost a Windows PC performance. Tell us which fix worked for you in the comments section below.

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