Introduction
Wireless printing has changed the way we work and print documents. No more hassle of cables and wires. But sometimes, problems with wireless printing can cause frustration and delays. Don’t worry if you are facing issues with your wireless printer; there are many simple and effective ways to troubleshoot and resolve the problem.
In this blog, we will discuss 5 easy ways to resolve wireless printers not responding quickly and get your printer back on track.
1. Connect Your Printer to Wi-Fi Properly
Sometimes a poor or completely lost connection may be the sole reason for most wireless printing failures. Your printer will not take print jobs, and it will not respond if it doesn’t connect well with your local Wi-Fi. To solve:
- Make sure your printer is connected to the right Wi-Fi network: If you have multiple networks available, it may be easy for your printer to connect to the wrong one. Use your printer’s display screen or control panel to look at and then change the settings for the connection to Wi-Fi.
- Reset your router and printer: Sometimes, it’s just a simple reset that makes the connection. Turn off your router and printer, wait for a few seconds, then turn them back on.
- Check signal strength: Poor wireless printing problems may also arise if your printer is far from the router or if there are obstructions in the signal path. Move your printer closer to your router for a better connection.
2. Update Printer Drivers
Dated or inappropriate printer drivers can cause problems while printing wirelessly, probably because your printer may not communicate effectively with your computer. Know how to update printer driver:
- Update the printer driver when can get the latest available for your printer model by accessing the website of the manufacturer. Most of the manufacturers also provide automatic update tools that one can use along with their software.
- Use the in-built Windows or macOS driver updates. If you’re on a Windows or Mac computer, you can update your drivers by checking the system settings. This will ensure your printer is compatible with the latest updates of the operating system and also fix known bugs.
3. Check Your Firewall and Antivirus Settings
Sometimes, your firewall or antivirus software will block your wireless printer’s connection, and it may not be able to print wirelessly. This can occur because the software thinks that the printer is a threat to your security. To fix this:
- Temporarily turn off your firewall and antivirus software: Try disabling these security measures for a brief period to see if that resolves the problem of wireless printing. If it does, you can then set the setting to let communication exist between your printer and computer.
- Add your printer to the list of trusted devices: Many firewalls and antivirus programs have settings that let you specify trusted devices. Check the software’s settings and add your printer to prevent future interference
4. Ensure Proper Printer and Device communication
Sometimes, problems with the need to print wirelessly may be caused by an issue with how your printer and device interact. This might be due to some incompatibility over a network setting or communication protocol.
Check out the troubleshooting guide below:
- Check if your printer is selected as the default printer: If your computer is set to use another printer, it won’t send print jobs to the wireless printer. Go to your printer settings and make sure the correct printer is set as the default.
- Use the built-in troubleshooting tool in the printer: Many modern printers have self-diagnostic tools that can detect and correct common wireless printing problems. Check your printer’s settings or control panel for these options.
- Reconfigure the wireless setup: If needed, you can reset the printer’s wireless settings and set it up again. Follow the printer’s manual or on-screen instructions to connect it to your Wi-Fi network properly.
5. Network Reset
If none of the above methods work, performing a network reset can help fix stubborn wireless printing problems. A network reset will clear the printer’s stored settings and allow it to reconnect to your router with fresh settings. Here’s how:
- Access the printer’s network settings: This is usually done via the printer’s control panel or settings menu.
- Click on the option that resets the network settings: When the reset has been completed, your printer will disconnect from your network, and you will have to reconnect it with your Wi-Fi credentials.
- Reset the printer on your devices: Once the printer is back online, you will likely have to delete and reinstall the printer on your computer, smartphone, or tablet to get things working again.
Final Words
Wireless printing problems can be frustrating, but with these 5 simple solutions, you can quickly resolve the most common issues. By ensuring your printer is properly connected to Wi-Fi, updating drivers, adjusting firewall settings, ensuring communication between your devices, and performing a network reset, you can get your wireless printing back on track. If these steps don’t solve your wireless printing problems, you may want to consult your printer’s manufacturer or seek professional assistance.
For more troubleshooting tips and solutions to your wireless printing problems, visit Printer not working.