Fix printer connection and printing problems in Windows

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.

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.

Try removing and reinstalling the printer.

Remove your printer:

1. Select the Start  button, then select Settings  > Bluetooth & Devices  > Printers & scanners .
   Open Printers & scanners settings

2. Select the printer you want to uninstall.

3. 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:

1. Select the Start  button, then select Settings  > Bluetooth & Devices  > Printers & scanners .
   Open Printers & scanners settings

2. Make sure your printer is turned on and connected.  Then select the Add device (or Refresh) button.

3. 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.

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:

1. Select Use an existing port and then select the port the printer is connected to.  Then select Next. If the printer is connected via USB, select it from the list. There are also options for parallel (LPT) and serial (COM) ports.

2. You will now see options to install the printer driver. If the printer came with a disc that includes the driver, select Have Disk. Otherwise, select Windows Update.

3. Please wait while Windows updates the list of printers.  Then select the printer manufacturer from the left column, and the printer model from the right column. Then select Next.

   Note: If there are multiple versions of a driver for your device, you might be asked which version of the driver to use.  In most cases, you should select Replace the current driver. However, if you're confident the installed driver is correct, select Use the driver that is currently installed.

4. Type a name for your printer, and then select Next. This name is only for your personal reference, so you can choose any name you prefer. 

5. Select Do not share this printer. (If you want to share your printer with other devices on your network, select Share this printer and enter the name and location.) Select Next.

6. Select Print a test page to confirm that the printer is working and then select Finish.

Most printers require the latest driver to work well. To learn more, read How to download and install the latest printer drivers.

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

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 displays an "offline" status, check out Troubleshooting offline printer problems.

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 10: FAQ.

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

Try removing and reinstalling the printer.

Remove your printer

1. Select the Start  button, then select Settings  > Devices  > Printers & scanners .
   Open Printers & scanners settings

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 .
   Open Printers & scanners settings

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.

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 .
   Open Printers & scanners settings

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.

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

Most printers require the latest driver to work well. To learn more, read How to download and install the latest printer drivers.

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

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 6.

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