[Tech Tip] Revive Missing Windows XP/10 Printer

Many Windows 10/11 users complain that the network printer does not show up on the PC. Even after restarting the PC and printer, it still does not work. This is confusing. But do not worry, I will provide you with some valid methods to fix it.

Try these fixes

Here are 5 fixes to solve the printer problem. You can just try until your network printer shows up.

1. Check the network connection
2. Add your network printer to the Devices and Printers
3. Update your printer drivers
4. Enable the Print Spooler service
5. Run Printer Troubleshooter

Fix 1: Check the network connection

The network connection is necessary but easily neglected. When your printer does not show up on the PC, you should check the network connection first. Once you find the network is disconnected, you need to reconnect it.

Step 1: Run a ping command

1. Click theSearch box, and then typecmd . ClickCommand Prompt .
   
2. Find out theIP address on your printer information tag.
3. Typeping and thenIP address (eg. ping 10.26.76.249) on the Command Prompt dialog and pressEnter . Note thata space is necessary between the ping command and the IP address.
   
4. Your PC will perform the ping command and detect if your printer is connected to the network.

Step 2: Reconnect the printer

If your printer is not connected to the network, you can reconnect the printer. Since this varies from manufacturer to printer, you can refer to your printer manual for instructions or consult the service personnel on the printer website.

If your printer has been connected but it still doesn’t show up on the PC, you can move to the next method.

Fix 2: Add your network printer to the Devices and Printers

Only when your printer is added to the Devices and Printers, can your PC detect and find it. That is, if your network printer is not added to the Devices and Printers, your network printer will not show up. You can add your network printer to fix the problem.

1. Click theSearch box in the lower left corner of your screen and then typecontrol panel . Click theControl Panel .
   
2. ClickHardware and sound .
   
3. ClickDevices and Printers .
   
4. ClickAdd a printer .

5. The windows below will pop up. If your PC doesn’t detect your printer automatically, clickThe printer that I want isn’t listed .

6. Click the option button next toSelect a shared printer by name . Type your computer or printer name in the empty text box and then click theNext Button.

7. Your PC will connect to the printer you add. Then you can check if your network printer is visible on your PC.

Fix 3: Update your printer drivers

When your Windows updates but your printer driver doesn’t, your printer may be not compatible with your Windows version. It can cause a series of problems, including your printer not showing up on the PC. Therefore, you can try to update your printer drivers in two ways to fix the problem.

Option 1- Manually download and install the driver

You can update your print driver manually by going to the manufacturer’s website, and searching for the most recent correct driver. It will take time and effort.

Option 2- Automatically update the driver

If you don’t have the time, patience or computer skills to update the printer driver manually, you can do it automatically with Driver Easy .

Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and then find the correct drivers for it. In other words, You don’t need to know exactly what system your computer is running, you don’t need to risk downloading and installing the wrong driver, and you don’t need to worry about making a mistake when installing.

You can update your drivers automatically with either the FREE or the Pro version of Driver Easy. But with the Pro version it takes just 2 clicks:

1. Download and install Driver Easy.
2. Run Driver Easy and then click theScan Now button. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any drivers that need to update.
   
3. You can choose to update the driver with a FREE version. Click theUpdate button next to the flagged driver to automatically download the correct version of that driver, then you can manually install it.

Or you can clickUpdate All to automatically download and install the correct version of all the drivers that are missing or out of date on your system. (This requires the Pro version – you’ll be prompted to upgrade when you clickUpdate All ).

After updating your device drivers, see if your network printer shows up. If not, move to the next method.

Fix 4: Enable the Print Spooler service

ThePrinter Spooler service is responsible for managing all printing jobs. That is, if the service is disabled, it will cause a series of printer problems. So when your network printer is not visible on the PC, you can try to check the print spooler service and enable it.

1. Press theWindows logo key andR key on keyboard at the same time to open theRun dialog.
2. Typeservices.msc and then pressEnter .
   
3. Slide down your mouse until you find thePrinter Spooler . Double click thePrinter Spooler .
   
4. ThePrint Spooler Properties dialog will pop up. ClickStart and then select theOK button.
   

After enabling the Print Spooler service, you can check if your network printer appears on your PC.

Fix 5: Run Printer Troubleshooter

TheTroubleshooter can find and solve any problem of your PC automatically. After you have tried the above method, it still doesn’t work. You can run theTroubleshooter to check if there is an error in the printer.

1. On the keyboard, press the Windows logo key and I key at the same time to open the Settings.
2. Click theUpdate and Security from the menu options.
   
3. SelectTroubleshoot on the left panel and clickAdditional troubleshooters (or ifPrinter appears on the right panel, clickRun the troubleshooter belowPrinter).

4. ClickRun the troubleshooter belowPrinter .

5. The troubleshooter will fix problems it might find. After the troubleshooter finishes work, see if your printer is visible on your PC.

In short, I hope this article is helpful to you. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.

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