Printer Not Printing? How to Reinstall Your Printer to Fix It

Is your printer suddenly refusing to cooperate? A common and often frustrating issue is when your printer stops printing, seemingly for no reason. Before you panic and consider replacing your device, one surprisingly effective solution is to simply remove and then reinstall your printer. This process can resolve a multitude of underlying problems, from driver glitches to connection hiccups.

This guide will walk you through the straightforward steps to remove and reinstall your printer on a Windows system, helping you get back to printing documents and photos in no time.

Removing Your Printer

First, we need to uninstall your current printer setup. Don’t worry, this is a reversible process, and reinstalling it fresh is the key to fixing many printing problems.

1. Begin by clicking the Start button, located in the bottom left corner of your screen. Then, navigate to Settings by clicking on the gear icon.

2. In the Settings menu, select Bluetooth & devices, and then click on Printers & scanners. This will open the section where all your installed printers are listed.

3. Locate the specific printer you are having trouble with and wish to uninstall. Click on its name to select it.

4. You will see a Remove button. Click on this button. Windows will then ask you to confirm your decision to remove the device. Select Yes to proceed with the uninstallation.

Reinstalling Your Printer

Now that you’ve removed the old printer installation, it’s time for a fresh start. Reinstalling your printer allows Windows to detect it anew and configure the necessary settings.

If your printer is powered on and connected to your network (either via Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable), Windows should automatically detect it. Here’s how to reinstall it:

1. Go back to the Printers & scanners settings page. You can follow steps 1 and 2 from the “Removing Your Printer” section above to get there.

2. Ensure your printer is turned on and properly connected to your network or computer. Then, click the Add device button, which might also appear as a Refresh button depending on your Windows version.

3. Windows will now begin searching for available printers on your network and connected to your computer. This process might take a moment.

4. Once the search is complete, Windows will display a list of detected printers. If you see your printer listed, simply select it and click the Add device button next to its name. Windows will then proceed with the installation.

5. If your printer is not automatically listed, you can click Add manually. This option is useful for older printers or those requiring specific network configurations.

Important Notes for Wireless Printers:

• Same Network: If you are using a wireless printer setup, especially with range extenders or multiple routers, it’s crucial to ensure your computer and printer are connected to the same wireless network (SSID). Being on different networks is a common reason why Windows might not find your printer.
• New Wireless Printers: If you have a brand-new wireless printer that hasn’t been connected to your home network before, you’ll likely need to follow the initial setup instructions that came with your printer. The printer manufacturer’s website is also an invaluable resource for setup guides and the latest software and drivers.

Tip: After reinstalling your printer, it’s always a good idea to print a test page. This confirms that the printer is correctly installed and communicating with your computer. If your printer still doesn’t work after reinstalling, visiting the manufacturer’s website is the next best step. They often have dedicated troubleshooting sections and updated drivers available for download, which can resolve more complex issues.

Reinstalling Your Printer Manually: Advanced Options

If the automatic reinstallation doesn’t work, or if you chose “Add manually,” Windows provides several options to help you connect to your printer. When you select “Add manually,” you will be presented with “Find a printer by other options.”

These options cater to various printer connection types, including network printers and those directly connected to your computer.

One particularly useful option for most scenarios, especially for printers connected via network or wirelessly, is “Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings.” Select this option and click Next to proceed with manual configuration.

Reinstalling a Local Printer Manually: Step-by-Step

If you selected the manual setup option above, here’s how to proceed with reinstalling a local printer.

1. On the “Choose a port” screen, select “Use an existing port.” Then, use the dropdown menu to choose the port your printer is connected to. If your printer uses a USB connection, it will typically be listed as a USB port. You may also see options for older parallel (LPT) or serial (COM) ports if applicable. Click Next.

2. Now you need to install the printer driver. If your printer came with an installation disc containing the driver software, insert the disc and click “Have Disk.” If you don’t have a disc, or prefer the latest drivers, click “Windows Update.”

3. Allow Windows to update the printer list. This might take a few minutes as it downloads the latest driver information. Once updated, you’ll see a two-column list. Select your printer’s manufacturer from the left column and the specific printer model from the right column. Then, click Next.

   Note: You might encounter multiple driver versions for your printer model. In most cases, “Replace the current driver” is the recommended option to ensure you have the newest and potentially most stable driver. However, if you are certain the currently installed driver is correct, you can choose “Use the driver that is currently installed.”

4. You’ll be prompted to type a name for your printer. This is simply a name for your reference within your computer’s settings, so you can choose any name you like. Click Next.

5. The next screen asks about printer sharing. Select “Do not share this printer” if you only intend to use the printer from this computer. If you want to share the printer with other devices on your network, select “Share this printer” and enter a share name and location. Click Next.

6. Finally, click “Print a test page” to verify the printer is working correctly. If the test page prints successfully, click “Finish” to complete the manual reinstallation process.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve most “Printer Not Printing” issues by performing a clean reinstall of your printer. Remember to always check the manufacturer’s website for further troubleshooting and support if problems persist.