The printer has become an important machine in this modern life. And, while working if this important machine stops working the user will get irritated. The issue could be frustrating for office employees when the printer refuses to connect to the computer and stop printing. If you are also facing a “printer not connected to your Windows 10” error, don’t worry you can here you will find easy solutions. Resolve printer not printing error issue for Windows 10 computer with expert solutions. But before this, you should know about the reasons behind this cause.
There could be various factors due to which your printer is unable to make the connection. Here you will know what could be the reasons as well as the solution.
Reason For Printer Not Connected Error
There could be many reasons behind printer not connected error, but here we have listed a few easy ones so that by checking these below listed you can bring the printer back to working condition.
- Restart computer
- Restart printer
- Disconnect and then reconnect the printer
- Check the network connection, and reconnect the network with the printer
After doing all these above checks, if your printer is not connecting then move on to the following solution. Let’s check each solution one by one and see what works for you.
Solution When Your Printer Is Not Connecting
Troubleshoot printer connectivity issues with the below-given fixes.
Fix 1: Use built-in troubleshooter
Windows has built-in troubleshooting which helps in dragging out your computer or devices from certain issues. So, before start doing technical fixes, try this easy one. Follow the below steps to use printer troubleshooting:
- In the search box on Desktop, type Control Panel and double-click to open.
- Choose Devices and Printers
- Select your printer and right-click. If you have more than one printer then select the problematic one.
Now, this tool will start detecting the problem or the reason which is causing this issue. When the tool is done with its searching and if any fixes are available, apply them by following the on-screen instructions.
Fix 2: Configure printer settings
If the desired printer is not connecting, maybe your Windows is not recognizing that printer as your default printer. To resolve this issue, you need to turn off the settings.
- Press Windows Key and I simultaneously open Settings.
- Select the Devices category and click Printers & Scanners in the left panel.
- In the right pane, now remove the check mark from the “Let Windows manage my default printer” option.
- Now see if this makes your printer connect to your computer automatically.
Fix 3: Set your printer as the default printer manually
After doing fix 2, if still Windows 10 has not recognized your printer, then try manually. You need to set the printer as the default printer manually, by following the below steps.
- Open the Run box by pressing the Windows key and R simultaneously.
- Now type Control and click OK.
- Select Devices and Printers.
- Choose the printer and right-click.
- Now in the drop-down menu choose the option “Set as default printer”.
Now your printer is set as the default printer and Windows will recognize it and start sending printing commands.
Fix 4: Update the Windows version
If your Windows is outdated, it won’t connect to the printer. Hence, to connect it you need to update to the latest version. Follow the below steps,
- Open Windows Settings.
- Go to Update & Security.
- Click Windows Update, and then select Check for updates options in the right pane.
If there are any updates available you can download and install them. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the procedure in a proper way.
Fix 5: Restart the spooler service
Spooler service could also be the culprit behind this error. So re-set the service settings,
- Open the Run box by pressing the Windows key and R key simultaneously.
- Now type “Service.msc” and click OK.
- From the listed items below search Printer Spooler.
- Right-click on it and choose Stop.
- Click on the address bar from the ‘Windows File Explorer and then type, C:\Windows\System32\Spool\Printer and click OK.
- Clear the printing queue by deleting all the files.
- Now again go to Printer Spooler and right-click. Select Start.
Fix 6: Update printer drivers
When your printer drivers are not updated, or the present drivers are unsupported with your Windows, you should update them immediately. This could be one of the reasons that are causing the printer not connected issue.
- On your Desktop, right-click on the Start menu and choose Device Manager.
- Locate your printer and right-click.
- In the drop-down menu select the Update driver option.
- Now select the ‘Search automatically for drivers’ option.
- Wait for the process to complete and then reboot your computer.
The above step will update your printer drivers, which will make your printer make the connection with your computer.
Fix 7: Maybe the printer is paused
If your printer is in paused mode, then make it online by following the below steps. This could also be the case that your printer is unable to make the connection.
- Press the Windows key and R key simultaneously to open the Run box.
- Now type Control Panel and press OK.
- Select Drives and Printers.
- In the Devices and Printers window, you will see your HP printer.
- If your printer is paused it will show under the HP printer icon on the screen.
- Now, right-click and unselect the pause option.
- Now your printer has come to online mode, try making the connection now.
Above mentioned fixes can easily eliminate the printer not connected issue, and your printer will start printing again. However, if nothing works, then you can take help from an expert. Printer support experts are here to assist you whenever you face an issue or any printing error.