Solving Your Printer Connection Problems (6 Solutions to Try)
Error: Cannot Connect to the Printer. Ugh, Not again! Printer problems happen at the most inconvenient times, like when you need to print those presentation notes for your next meeting in five minutes. But don’t freak out, after scrolling through this list of solutions for printer connection problems you’ll know how to get those notes printed off and still be early for your presentation.
Continue reading for six different solutions to try out the next time you are troubleshooting a printer that’s not connecting.
Okay, you restarted the printer and it’s still not connecting? Let’s first ensure there is a connection.
If your printer is connected to the network by a cable, then double-check the cable is fully plugged in. You can even unplug the cable and plug it back in while you’re checking just to be sure. You can also clean out the area where the cable plugs in to be sure no debris is preventing the cable from connecting.
If your printer is connected to the network without a wire such as Bluetooth then you will want to check the owner’s manual that came with your printer and follow their connection steps listed there.
Aside from your printer connection, you will want to ensure that there is a stable network connection. Otherwise, there will be nothing for your printer to connect to. So check that there is a strong internet connection available.
If there is a necessary update available this could be interfering with the printer not connecting and ultimately not being able to print your documents once/if the printer connects.
Check with your printer manufacturer or on their website to see if any updates are available.
Alternatively, open the device manager from the start menu. Right-click on the printer you are looking for and select update driver.
Luckily our computers come equipped with this pretty nifty tool that can troubleshoot our problems for us.
Here’s how to use it:
From your start menu type in ‘Printers’ and select the Printers & scanners system settings.
On the right side of the screen, you can run the troubleshooter.
Once that finishes running, follow the prompts on the screen.
In the words of Jacob, our Service Desk Lead, "Printers are just like computers and sometimes they just need a little nap. If your printer is acting up, unplug it from power for five to ten minutes and then give it another shot.”
This is also known as a power cycle. To do so, turn off your printer and unplug it, wait 30 seconds, plug your printer back in, and then turn the printer back on.
Basically, a fancy way to restart.
Restart the print spooler service. The what?
Yeah, that’s a thing. It handles all the tasks you send to the printer. So, if this isn’t working your printers won’t be able to connect to carry out those tasks.
To do this:
In the search box on the taskbar, type ‘services’, and then select Services in the list of results. Find the Print Spooler service, right-click it, and select Restart.
Similar to unplugging then plugging the device back in or turning it off then back on again is removing then re-adding the printer to the device list.
Here’s how you can do this:
Head over to your settings then go to your device manager. Under the Printers & Scanners tab. Select the printer you are not able to connect to. From there you can remove it.
To re-add, select Add a Printer or Scanner.
If you’ve given the above solutions a shot and nothing seems to solve your printer problem then you need to bring in the big guns aka the tech professionals to help you out. With the help of an MSP by your side, you wouldn’t have to even search for this article to try and troubleshoot the problem yourself. Rather, you would’ve called the Service Desk or sent them an email and a solution would be on the way in no time.
Not to toot our own horn, but we’re kinda tech superheroes, coming to your rescue when your printers, computers, applications, and anything techy gives you a hard time.
Remember when tech problems persist it’s best to contact your I.T. department or MSP so you don’t waste more time and money trying to solve the problem yourself rather than having the proper help from the start.
If your business is located in Michigan, check out Omega Computer Services to solve your tech problems large and small.