Fix Printer Not Being Found or Detected in Windows System

Is your printer not showing up on Windows, causing issues such as an inability to print or your computer being unable to communicate with the printer? Then, worry not, as this article has the tried and tested, quick, and easy solutions to the problems you are experiencing with your printer on Windows. 

The issues, such as the printer not being detected or the computer not recognizing your printer, can be resolved with simple fixes. These include ensuring the connection is proper, running the printer troubleshooter, updating the printer driver, restarting the Print Spooler, and reinstalling your printer. 

If you wonder, “Why can’t my computer find my printer?” The reasons can be many, such as connectivity issues, driver and software problems, and configuration and security issues. Let’s understand these factors in detail before attempting to fix your printer for better troubleshooting. 

Why Is the Printer Not Showing Up on Windows

The wireless or USB printer not showing up issue may stem from a variety of reasons, such as connectivity problems (for example, loose or damaged cable), driver and software issues (for example, outdated or incorrect drivers), and configuration and security problems (for example, incorrect sharing settings for a shared network printer). Let’s have a detailed look at these factors. 

Connectivity issues

• Problems with the wired connection, such as a damaged or loose USB cable.
• The printer is on a different Wi-Fi network, has a weak signal, or has other wireless connection problems.
• Your printer may be in sleep mode, turned off, or have other power issues.

Driver and software problems

• The printer driver is outdated, corrupted, or inappropriately installed.
• There are problems with the Print Spooler service (the service responsible for managing the printer queue), such as the service being stopped or malfunctioning.

Configuration and security issues

• For shared network printers, the sharing settings may be incorrect, which can be a reason why your computer won’t recognize the printer.
• Your firewall or antivirus software may be blocking your network connections, including the printer connection.

Since you are now familiar with what may be happening with your printer, let’s help you fix the printer that is not getting detected on your Windows computer.

How to Fix the Printer Not Showing Up Problem on Windows

As mentioned before in this article, you can fix the printer not showing up issue on your computer by solving the printer connection problems, performing printer troubleshooting, updating the printer driver, modifying the Bluetooth Support Service, enabling the Print Spooler service, adding the printer to the Devices and Printers, and reinstalling the printer. Below is a detailed explanation of all these solutions. 

Fix 1: Check your connection

A broken connection may be the reason your printer is not being found or not showing up on your computer. Hence, you can take the steps below to fix the connection issues. 

• Restart your computer and the printer.
• If you have a wired printer, check the USB cable to ensure it is securely connected and not damaged. If the cable is properly connected and undamaged, you can try connecting it through a different USB port.
• For network printers, ensure your printer and computer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network and move the printer closer to the router.
• Temporarily disable the Windows Firewall and your antivirus software (you can check the software manual for the steps to disable it).

Fix 2: Run the printer troubleshooter

Windows has built-in troubleshooting mechanisms in place for common issues, such as the printer not being found or not being detected. You can follow the steps below to use this native Windows troubleshooter. 

• Begin by using the Win key+I key shortcut command to access the Settings panel.
• Next, choose Update & Security from the on-screen options.

• In this step, select Troubleshoot from the left panel and then choose Additional troubleshooters from the right. If you see the Printer on the right side, click on the Printer, and then click Run the troubleshooter.

• Now, click on the Printer and then Run the troubleshooter.

• Next, follow the on-screen wizard to fix the detected problems.
• Lastly, restart the computer to complete the printer troubleshooting.

Also know: How to Fix Driver is Unavailable For Printer Problem in Windows 11/10

Fix 3: Add the printer to the Devices and Printers

For wireless printers, the printer can be found and recognized on your computer only if it is added to the Devices and Printers. Hence, below is how to add your printer to the Devices and Printers, if it is not already added, to fix the computer can’t find the printer problem. 

• First, click the Start button in the bottom left corner of the screen and type Control Panel in the on-screen search box.
• Second, choose the Control Panel from the search options on your screen.
• Once the Control Panel window appears, choose Category from the View by menu.
• Next, select Hardware and Sound from the options available in the menu on your screen.
• Now, choose Devices and Printers from the options present in the Hardware and Sound menu.
• Next, click on the option to Add a printer.

• If your printer is not detected automatically, choose The printer that I want isn’t listed.

• Click on the option button alongside Select a shared printer by name.
• Now, type the name of your computer or printer in the text box on your screen and click Next.
• Lastly, wait for the PC to connect to the printer you added in the previous steps.

Fix 4: Update the printer driver

The driver is a translator; your computer and printer need to communicate with each other. It translates your printing commands into the printer’s language and the printer’s response to the system’s language for the correct execution of your instructions. 

Without the printer driver, or if the driver is outdated/corrupted/improperly installed, this communication breaks, leading to issues like the printer not showing up. Hence, here’s how to update the driver for your printer. 

• First, right-click the Start button and then choose Device Manager from the on-screen menu.

• Second, double-click on the Printers or Print Queues category to locate your printing device.

• In this step, right-click the problematic printer and select Update Driver from the available menu.

• Next, select search automatically for drivers from the on-screen options.
• Now, follow the wizard on your screen to complete the printer driver download and installation.
• Lastly, restart your computer so the newly installed driver for your printer can take effect.

Fix 5: Make changes to the Bluetooth Support Service

Enabling the Bluetooth Support Service may also help fix the issues you are experiencing with your printer. Hence, you can follow the directions below to enable the Bluetooth Support Service. 

• In the first step, use the Win key + R key shortcut to access the Run utility.
• Next, type services.msc in the on-screen Run box and press Enter to access the Service window.
• Once the Services window appears, find and double-click Bluetooth Support Service.

• Next, set the Startup type of the Bluetooth Support Service to Manual if it is not already so, and then choose Start for the Service status.
• Click Apply and OK to save the above configuration.
• Lastly, restart your computer to let the above changes take effect.

Fix 6: Turn on the Print Spooler service

The Print Spooler service manages all printing tasks on your computer. If this service is disabled, it may result in a range of printer problems, the printer not getting detected being one of them. Thus, below is how to enable the Print Spooler Service. 

• Begin by applying the Win key + R key shortcut to open the Run box.
• In the Run box, type services.msc and press Enter to open the Services window.
• Once the Services window appears, scroll down to the Printer Spooler service and double-click on it.
• When the Print Spooler Properties window appears, choose Start for the Service Status and click Apply and OK to save the changes.

Also know: How to Reset and Clean Printer Spooler on Windows 10

Fix 7: Reinstall your printer

Reinstalling the printer is a hack that has worked for some users to fix the USB printer not showing up. Hence, you can also try reinstalling your printer by following the steps below.

• Begin by clicking on the Start button and typing Printers & Scanners in the on-screen search box.
• Next, click Printers & Scanners in the search results to open it.
• Once the Printers & Scanners appear, click on the problematic printer and then choose Remove Device from the available options.
• Click Yes when the confirmation prompt appears.
• After completing the above steps, restart your computer.
• Open Printers & Scanners once your computer restarts.
• Next, click on the Add a printer or scanner option.
• If Windows does not detect your printer, click The printer that I want isn’t listed and follow the on-screen instructions to add your printer.

Printer Not Showing Up on Windows Issue Fixed

So, that’s how your printing problems end by fixing the printer not showing up on Windows. You can apply the above fixes sequentially to get rid of the annoying problem you are experiencing. 

However, if you feel confused, have any questions, or suggestions to improve this guide, you are welcome to contact us through the comments section. Also, if you like this article, solve more such problems in no time by accessing the free tech guides delivered to your mailbox by subscribing to our newsletter.