Printer Not Connecting to Computer? Fix Printer Not Detected Windows
Your computer can't find your printer. Windows shows "printer not detected." The connection keeps failing. Here's why—and exactly how to fix it.
1. The "USB Port Power" Problem
Some USB ports don't provide enough power for printers, especially on laptops or front-panel USB ports. When a printer doesn't get sufficient power, Windows can't detect it, or it disconnects intermittently.
The Fix: Use a powered USB port (usually rear ports on desktop computers) or a powered USB hub. Try different USB ports—rear ports typically provide more power than front ports. For laptops, use ports on the left/right sides rather than front. If printer has a power adapter, ensure it's connected. Some printers require both USB and power adapter—check your printer manual. If USB port still doesn't work, try a powered USB hub that plugs into wall outlet.
2. The "Wrong USB Cable" Issue
Not all USB cables support data transfer—some are "charge-only" cables. Using a charge-only cable means the printer gets power but can't communicate with the computer, so Windows can't detect it.
The Fix: Use a data-capable USB cable. Charge-only cables often have fewer wires inside (only power wires, no data wires). Try a different USB cable—preferably the one that came with your printer or a known-good data cable. Test the cable with another device to verify it transfers data. USB 2.0 cables work fine for printers (you don't need USB 3.0). Ensure cable is fully inserted at both ends—loose connections prevent detection.
3. The "Network Discovery" Disabled Problem
For wireless printers, Windows needs network discovery enabled to find printers on your network. If network discovery is disabled (common on Public networks), Windows can't detect network printers.
The Fix: Enable network discovery. Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi → click your network → set network profile to Private (not Public). Then go to Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settings → Private profile → enable "Turn on network discovery" and "Turn on file and printer sharing." Save changes. Windows will now search for network printers. For Public networks, manually add printer using IP address instead.
4. The "Driver Not Installed" Detection Failure
Windows may detect the printer hardware but can't use it without drivers. Sometimes Windows shows "device not recognized" or the printer appears in Device Manager with a yellow warning icon.
The Fix: Install printer drivers. Download drivers from manufacturer website for your printer model and Windows version. Run installer as administrator. Alternatively, let Windows search automatically: Device Manager → right-click printer (or Unknown Device) → Update driver → Search automatically. For network printers, add printer manually: Settings → Printers → Add printer → "The printer that I want isn't listed" → Add using TCP/IP → enter IP address → Windows will search for and install drivers.
5. The "Printer Sleep Mode" Detection Issue
Printers in sleep mode may not respond to connection attempts. Windows tries to detect the printer, gets no response, and marks it as not detected or offline.
The Fix: Wake the printer from sleep mode. Press the power button or any button on the printer to wake it. Wait for printer to fully initialize (all lights stop blinking). Then try connecting again. To prevent this, disable printer sleep mode: access printer settings menu → Power Settings → Sleep Mode → set to "Never" or increase timeout. Some printers have a "Keep Printer Online" setting—enable this to prevent sleep mode from interfering with detection.
6. The "USB Selective Suspend" Windows Setting
Windows power-saving feature "USB Selective Suspend" turns off USB ports when idle. When Windows powers down the USB port, it can't detect the printer, even though the printer is still connected and powered on.
The Fix: Disable USB Selective Suspend. Control Panel → Power Options → Change plan settings → Change advanced power settings → USB settings → USB selective suspend setting → set both "On battery" and "Plugged in" to Disabled. Click Apply and OK. Restart computer. This prevents Windows from powering down USB ports and keeps printers detectable. This is especially important for USB printers that may sit idle between print jobs.
Step-by-Step Connection Troubleshooting
- Check printer power: Ensure printer is powered on, all lights are steady (not blinking), and printer is not in error state.
- Verify connection: For USB: check cable is connected at both ends, try different USB port. For wireless: ensure printer is on same Wi-Fi network as computer.
- Restart devices: Turn printer off, wait 30 seconds, turn back on. Restart computer. Wait for both to fully initialize.
- Check Device Manager: Right-click Start → Device Manager → look for printer (may show as Unknown Device or with yellow warning). Update driver if needed.
- Install/update drivers: Download latest drivers from manufacturer website, run installer as administrator.
- Enable network discovery: For wireless printers, ensure network profile is Private and network discovery is enabled.
- Add printer manually: Settings → Printers → Add printer → if not found automatically, add using IP address (for network) or select USB port (for USB).
- Disable power saving: Disable USB selective suspend and printer sleep mode.
- Check firewall: Temporarily disable firewall to test if it's blocking connection.
- Test connection: Send a test print to verify printer is detected and working.
Quick Diagnostic Guide
| Issue | Diagnosis | Action |
|---|---|---|
| USB printer not detected | Cable, port, or power issue | Try different cable/port, check power |
| Wireless printer not found | Network discovery or connection issue | Enable discovery, verify network, add by IP |
| Printer detected but can't print | Driver issue or spooler problem | Install/update drivers, restart spooler |
| Printer connects then disconnects | Power saving or cable issue | Disable power saving, replace cable |
Need Professional Help?
If your printer still won't connect or be detected after trying these solutions, there may be hardware issues, deeper driver conflicts, or system configuration problems. Our technicians can help diagnose and fix connection issues.
Contact SupportFrequently Asked Questions
Printers don't connect due to USB cable issues (loose, damaged, wrong port), Wi-Fi connection problems (printer not on network, wrong network), missing or corrupted drivers, Windows not detecting USB device, printer powered off or in sleep mode, firewall blocking connection, or incorrect printer port settings. Fix by checking cable/connection, ensuring printer is on and connected to network, installing/updating drivers, checking USB port functionality, disabling firewall temporarily, and verifying port settings.
Fix printer not detected Windows 10: Ensure printer is powered on and connected (USB cable connected or Wi-Fi connected). Check USB cable and try different USB port. Install printer drivers (download from manufacturer website or let Windows search automatically). Restart Print Spooler service (services.msc → Print Spooler → Restart). Check Device Manager for printer (if shows with error, update driver). For USB printers, check USB port in Device Manager → Universal Serial Bus controllers → ensure no errors. Try different USB cable or port.
Windows won't detect USB printers due to faulty USB port (try different port), damaged USB cable (replace cable), USB selective suspend enabled (disables ports when idle), missing USB drivers, printer not powered on, or USB port power management. Fix by trying different USB port, replacing USB cable, disabling USB selective suspend (Power Options → Advanced → USB settings), updating USB drivers, ensuring printer is on, and checking Device Manager for USB errors. Some USB ports may not provide enough power—try powered USB hub.
Connect undetected wireless printer: Ensure printer is connected to same Wi-Fi network as computer. Print network configuration page from printer to get IP address. In Windows, go to Settings → Printers & scanners → Add printer → "The printer that I want isn't listed" → Add printer using TCP/IP address → enter printer's IP address → Next → Windows will search for printer and install driver. Alternatively, use manufacturer's printer software (HP Smart, Canon PRINT) which can detect and add network printers automatically.
Yes, Windows Firewall or third-party firewalls can block printer communication, especially for network printers. Firewall may block printer discovery protocols, prevent printer port communication, or block printer sharing. Fix by temporarily disabling firewall to test connection, adding printer to firewall exceptions (Windows Firewall → Allow an app → check File and Printer Sharing), or configuring firewall to allow printer ports (usually port 9100 for raw printing, port 515 for LPR). Re-enable firewall after testing. For home networks, ensure network profile is set to Private (not Public) for easier printer discovery.
If printer suddenly stops connecting: Check if Windows updated recently (updates can break drivers). Restart computer and printer. Check if USB cable was disconnected or Wi-Fi password changed. Restart Print Spooler service. Check Device Manager for printer errors (yellow exclamation mark). Try removing and re-adding printer. Update printer drivers from manufacturer website. Check if printer firmware needs update. For network printers, verify printer is still on network and IP address hasn't changed. Check Event Viewer for connection errors.
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