Wireless printers offer convenience and flexibility, allowing users to print from multiple devices without dealing with tangled cables. However, like any technology, they can sometimes run into issues. If you’re facing the frustrating problem of wireless printing not working, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Many users experience connectivity problems, printer offline errors, or print jobs getting stuck.
In this guide, we will take you through the top solutions to fix wireless printing not working and ensure a seamless printing experience.
Common Reasons Why Wireless Printing is Not Working
Before we dive into the solutions, it is essential to know what might be causing your wireless printing not to work.
Here are some common reasons:
- Weak Wi-Fi Signal
The printer can be placed at a distance such that it does not provide an effective and stable connection to the printer. Sometimes, print can be lost just because the printer has gone offline. It can happen because of a power issue or network issue. One common reason why your printers may refuse to function or work as anticipated is that your printer drivers become outdated or perhaps damaged.
Network Conflicts: The network could be misconfigured, or in some cases, even other devices sharing the same network interfere with wireless print out.
Firewall or Antivirus Software: The antivirus software is blocking the connection to enable printing.
– Print Queue Gets Jammed: If your print queue gets jammed for some reason; it may even not allow you to pass new requests for printing across.
It is the simplest troubleshooting guide on whether your wireless printing is working.
Here are your steps to troubleshoot wireless printing not working
1. Turn off the printer and unplug it from the power source.
Unplug your Wi-Fi router for 30 seconds and then plug it back in and restart.
Allow the network to settle. Now, turn on your printer.
Now try printing a test page
At times this will clear up connectivity issues. Most of the time this kind of quick reboot is enough to bypass connectivity issues.
2. Printers and Wireless Connectivity
Your printer needs to be connected to the correct network so it can then work properly using Wi-Fi.
How to check
Locate the Wi-Fi indicator light on your printer. If the light blinks or doesn’t light at all, it means the connection is weak or lost
Print a network configuration page from your printer’s control panel to confirm if it’s connected to the network
Your printer and computer should now be on the same Wi-Fi network
Connect your printer if it has not already, via the control panel of your printer.
3. Make Your Printer Default
Steps to make a default printer:
1. Click Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners.
2. Scroll down to your printer and click -Manage.
3. Click Set as default.
You will now be printing to the right printer.
4. Printer Troubleshooter Run:
Windows has a utility built-in that recommends it troubleshoot wireless printer problems.
Steps:
1. Open Settings and go to Update & Security.
2. Tap Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.
3. Select Printer and click Run the troubleshooter.
4. Follow the instructions prompted to resolve any issues found.
5. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers
The most common cause for this error wireless printing not working are an outdated or damaged driver.
To update drivers:
1. Open Win + X and select Device Manager.
2. Open Printers and right-click your printer.
3. Then, select Update driver followed by clicking Search automatically for drivers.
If the above is not helpful, try reinstalling the driver.
How to reinstall drivers:
1. Open Device Manager and find your printer.
2. Right-click and then select Uninstall device.
3. Ask your computer to restart, and Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.
4. If that doesn’t work, download the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website if needed.
6. Clear Stuck Print Jobs
Stuck print jobs can block printing.
How to clear print jobs:
1. Press Win + R, type in services.msc, and hit Enter
2. Scroll down to Print Spooler right click and select stop.
3. Open up C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS and delete all files.
4. Now go back to Services, right-click on Print Spooler, and click on Start.
Print again now.
7. Turn Off Firewall or Antivirus
The security software sometimes will prevent your printer from reaching the network.
Instructions
Turn off the firewall or antivirus for some time
Attempt to print a document
If it works, then add your printer as an exception in your firewall settings
8. Windows Updates
Most issues related to the troubleshooting of wireless printers are often solved by Windows updates bug fixes.
Steps:
1. Open Settings> Windows Update
2. Tap Check for updates
3. Install any available updates and shut down your PC
9. Reset Printer Network Settings
Resetting printer network settings also solves the problem if the above steps do not work.
Steps:
1. Open the Settings app of your printer.
2. Click on Network Settings or Reset
3. Tap Restore Network Defaults
10. Reconnect your printer to Wi-Fi according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
New Wireless Printing Technology Breakthroughs
Modern wireless printers are rich in modern cutting-edge technologies. Newer technologies thus make devices more connectible and powerful. Some of the latest trends are as follows:
– Cloud-Based Printing: The new devices also carry a new generation of Google Cloud Print and AirPrint. This way, any device can be allowed to print by a user.
– AI-Based Troubleshooting: AI is used to find and diagnose printing problems with the new devices.
– The models now are gifted with voice assistant printing where users can print using Alexa and Google Assistant without needing to lift a finger.
5GHz Wi-Fi Connectivity: The new devices have been made Wi-Fi enabled to connect either with 2.4GHz or 5GHz to ensure that there is quick connectivity and even better connectivity.
– Mobile Printing Apps: As for mobile printing, the original equipment manufacturers have developed an independent app. There is also an independent app to address issues from your smartphone.
This helps you to choose a printer that offers you the best experience in wireless printing
Conclusion
The next time your wireless printing is not working, do not get stressed up. All you have to do is check the connection, update the driver, clear your print queue, and change the firewall if need be. This most probably should resolve the issue.