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You want to print something, but what if Windows 11 can’t find your printer? A classic case of technology with an opinion of its own: The printer is there and switched on. Still, it doesn’t show up. This can happen after an update, restart, or when switching to a new device. The good news is that the problem can usually be solved quickly with a few simple steps.
1. Is everything properly plugged in?
It sounds simple, but this is one of the most common causes of technical problems: a loose USB cable, a switched-off WLAN printer, or the wrong network. Make sure the printer is actually turned on, connected to the correct WLAN (for wireless printers), and that all cables are securely in place. A quick restart of the printer and PC can often work wonders and is worth trying before diving into deeper troubleshooting.
2. Adding a printer manually
Windows recognizes many devices automatically, but not all. If your printer doesn’t show up, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & Scanners > Add device. If it still doesn’t appear after a few seconds, look for the line: The desired printer is not listed. Click Add manually to launch the setup wizard and guide Windows through the process.
3. Update drivers
If Windows doesn’t recognize the printer, the driver is likely missing. Visit the manufacturer’s website and download the latest Windows 11-compatible software for your model. It’s a quick and straightforward fix that resolves many issues.
4. If nothing helps
Windows comes with its own repair tool for resolving issues, including printer problems. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshooting > Other troubleshooters, then find and run the Printers troubleshooter. Give it a moment. The system may sort itself out on its own.
Conclusion
Windows 11 has its own peculiarities, printing included. Fortunately, most problems can be solved quickly with a few simple steps, a new driver, or even just a basic restart. If the problems persist, the printer itself may be faulty or outdated.
This article originally appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and localized from German.
Author: Steffen Zellfelder, Contributor, PCWorld
Steffen Zellfelder is a freelance graduate journalist from Bonn. As an experienced software expert, he is particularly enthusiastic about apps, tools and future trends.