Windows 11 doesn't detect a printer connected via USB or network: complete troubleshooting guide

Si Windows 11 does not detect your printer (whether connected by USB or through the network), you're not alone: This is one of the most common errors that occur after configuration changes, system updates, or driver conflicts. The good news is that there is almost always a solution. with a combination of orderly steps and some key checks.

In this practical and detailed guide You will find, in a single resource, everything you need to diagnose and fix the problem: from remove and reinstall the printer, add it by IP or as a shared resource, enable sharing and SMB 1.0 If necessary, check the firewall, drivers and printing services, and even specific recommendations when the error appears. “The network name is no longer available” after certain compilations of Windows 11. Let's go step by step.

Common symptoms and causes

Before we get down to work, it's helpful to understand what's going wrong. Common symptoms include Windows 11 not showing the printer in "Printers & Scanners," do not allow connecting to the shared resource, or the installation fails when you click “Next”. on USB, sometimes the typical beep doesn't even sound when connecting; on the network, The printer does not appear when browsing o does not respond by IP.

Outdated or corrupt drivers: It is a classic cause. If missing drivers, the system cannot recognize or use the printer correctly. After a Windows update It is common for the driver to need to be reinstalled or updated to fit with recent changes.

Network Configuration: IP changes, DHCP, 2,4/5 GHz Wi‑Fi on separate networks, or sharing disabled break detection. On printers shared from another PC, a discovery or permissions setting may block installation on the client.

Firewall and antivirus: Windows Firewall (or a third-party firewall) may block print services, ports or protocols such as SMB/IPP/WSD, affecting the pairing between the PC and the printer.

Compatibility and hardware: older computers with unsigned or unsupported drivers, damaged USB cables, faulty ports, or clogged print queues can also cause Windows to appear to “not detect” the printer.

Remove and reinstall the printer (Windows 11)

We start with the simplest thing that solves the most fixes: Uninstall and reinstall the printer from the Settings app. This process Forces Windows to refresh drivers, ports, and device profiles.

1. Opens Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. It is the central section to manage everything related to printers in Windows 11.
2. Select the problematic printer and press Remove. Confirm with “Yes” to completely uninstall it from the system.
3. With the printer on and connected, press Add device (o Update). Windows will search for USB and network devices available and will propose the installation.
4. If it appears in the list, press Add device. If not, use Add manually for advanced options. This is key when auto-discovery fails.

Manually reinstalling a local printer (USB/port)

When auto-detection doesn't work and the printer is connected locally (USB, LPT or COM), the manual assistant is the safest way.

1. Choose Add a local or network printer with manual configuration and press Next. This mode gives you full control about port and controller.
2. Brand Use an existing port and select the correct port: USB if it is by modern cable, or LPT/COM for older printers. Then Next. Choose the exact port prevents the system from “losing” the printer.
3. For drivers, if you have the manufacturer's media press I have a disk. If not, press Windows Update to update the catalog and choose the make and model on the list. Wait for it to refresh the listing may take a while.
4. Write a descriptive name to identify the printer. Does not affect operation, it is just for your reference.
5. En sharing choose Do not share this printer if it's just for this team. If you want to share it, activate Share this printer and defines name and location. This will be vital if a laptop on the network is going to use it.
6. Click on Print a test page & AFTER Finalize. Try it on the spot confirms that everything has gone well.

Add a shared printer over the network

If the printer hangs on another PC (for example, USB on a desktop and shared for a laptop), it must be installed on the client computer as a network resource.

1. On the client computer open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Add device > Add manually. This way we avoid depending on discovery if the network does not respond.
2. Choose Select a shared printer by name and press Examine…. Browse Red, choose the host computer and the shared printer. The route will have format \\PCName\\PrinterName.
3. After pressing Next, Windows will install the connection and will download drivers if necessary. If it fails and the message appears “The network name is no longer available”, go to the specific solutions section below.

Turn on network sharing and discovery

For the client computer to “see” the printer, the host PC must have network sharing and discovery enabled. Without this, there will be no way for it to appear.

1. On the host, go to Control Panel> Network and Internet> Network and Sharing Center and enters Change advanced sharing settings. This is the critical point.
2. Active Network discovery y File and printer sharing both in profile Private as, if applicable, in Public. Save changes.
3. Also from Settings> Network and Internet Can you open Advanced sharing options and activate the same options. Check both ways if something doesn't fit.

SMB 1.0: When to Enable It and When Not to

Some older printers or environments require SMB 1.0/CIFS for sharing. On Windows it is disabled for security, but you can activate it temporarily if you need it to complete the installation.

1. Opens Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off. It is the optional components panel.
2. Brand Support for SMB 1.0/CIFS file sharing protocol and confirm. Restart the computer if requested.
3. Once the printer is added, consider disable SMB 1.0 again for safety. Keep it off whenever possible is ideal.

Windows Firewall and Antivirus

The firewall may block discovery or connection to the shared printer. As a test, you can disable it temporarily and try the installation again.

1. Open search and type Firewall Windows Defender. Enter and press Activate or desactivate in the left panel. Temporarily disable on private and public networks.
2. Repeat the connection/installation test. If it works with the firewall off, create permission rules for Share files and printers and turn it back on.
3. If you use third-party antivirus, adds exceptions for printing or testing services, temporary deactivation to rule out blocking. Don't leave it disabled after the tests.

Connect a printer by IP or hostname

When the network scan finds nothing, adding the printer by IP or hostname is usually a miracle. Windows supports TCP/IP, WSD and IPP among others.

1. Go to Printers & Scanners > Add Device > Add Manually and choose Add a printer with an IP address or hostname. Be careful with the type of device: for IPP change it in the drop-down menu.
2. Introduce hostname or IP address and the port if applicable. Windows will attempt to detect the type. Wait for it to finish and the wizard continues.
3. End with Print test page to validate connectivity and drivers. If it fails, check IP and connectivity (ping, firewall, VLAN, etc.).

How to find out the printer's IP

If you don't know the IP, there are several ways to quickly locate it without installing anything strange.

Method 1: Control Panel

1. Opens Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Devices and Printers and enter your printer. It is the classic panel which still works wonderfully.
2. En Properties, check the tab web services to view IP address. In Ports you will be able to see the assigned port. WSD drivers They usually show several extra tabs.

Method 2: Command Prompt (CMD)

1. Opens CMD from Start. Write the command netstat -r and press Enter.
2. Search the list for devices on the network; identifies the printer by name/IP if it appears. Make sure the printer is turned on and on the same network.

Additional tip: You can also check the IP in the printer panel (if you have a screen) or print a network report from your menu.

Method 3: From the router

1. Enter to router (it is usually 192.168.1.1) with your username and password. Go to the DHCP Clients table.
2. Locate the printer in the list of connected devices. There you will see your current IP. If it changes often, reserve an IP to avoid surprises.

Troubleshooter and Printing Services

The built-in troubleshooter detects and fixes typical printer and network issues without you having to do much research.

1. Type in the search Solve other problems and executes the one of Used Printing machines. Let it do its job a few minutes.
2. If the problem is network, open Settings> Network and Internet and run Network troubleshooter. You can reconfigure settings automatically.

Key services that must be running: Print queue (Spooler), Function Discovery Provider Host y Function Discovery Resource Publication. If anyone is standing, restart it from services.msc and try again.

Drivers: Install, Update, or Change

An inadequate or corrupt driver It can break detection and printing. Checking it is quick and saves time on other fronts.

1. Opens Device administrator from Run or Search. Deploy Printers and Controllers. If you see a warning icon, there is a problem with the driver.
2. Right click and press Update Driver. Try Search automatically for drivers first. If there is no luck, download the driver from the manufacturer and install manually.
3. On older printers, it may help to choose a class driver (Class Driver) or a similar model. Try alternatives sometimes it makes the difference.

After a Windows 11 update: typical errors and what to do

Some users report that after installing specific builds of Windows 11 (for example, the 22621.675), connecting to a shared printer throws the error “The network name is no longer available”. This failure is usually linked to changes in security/protocols and drivers.

• Check for new updates: and a Settings > Windows Update. Microsoft usually launch reviews that correct these returns.
• Reinstall/update the driver on the host and on the client. On the host, re‑share the printer and make sure install drivers for clients if there is x86/x64 option.
• Check sharing (network discovery, file and printer sharing) and that the \\PC\\Printer path is accessible. Try accessing the resource from the Explorer with that route.
• Firewall and SMB 1.0: if the error persists, temporally disable the firewall to test and enables SMB 1.0/CIFS if your environment requires it.
• credentials: in the client, open Credential manager and add valid network credentials for the host. You avoid access rejections.
• Spooler and services: restart Print spooler and discovery services on host and client. A stuck tail cuts off communication.

Avoid uninstalling updates as a first option. Try these methods first; if Microsoft has already released a patch, Updating is usually the solution more clean.

Windows 10 and Windows 7: What changes when setting up

Flow in Windows 10 It is very similar to Windows 11, although some menu names vary. General logic (remove, add, manual, IP/host) is maintained.

1. Sign in Start > Settings > Devices > Printers and Scanners. Press Add a printer or scanner and if it does not appear, The printer I want is not on the list.
2. Choose Search by name o by IP, enter the data and complete with Print test page. Remember: The printer must be installed/shared on the host first.

En Windows 7, the classic assistant also allows Add a network, wireless, or Bluetooth printer, or choose the desired printer is not in the list and search by name/IP. At the end, you can request Install driver and ask for confirmation of trust.

Network: router, cabling and adapters

Connectivity rulesIf you have any concerns about the network, it's a good idea to make sure everything is responding as it should before blaming the driver or the system.

• Restart the router: Turn it off for 30 seconds and turn it back on. Refresh IPs and eliminates small network conflicts.
• LAN cable test If you are on Wi‑Fi: eliminates the wireless variable and check that everything is working fine via Ethernet.
• Change the cable if you suspect damage or poor quality. A bad cable It gives very annoying intermittent symptoms.
• Update the network adapter: in Device Manager > Network Adapters, right click > Update Driver. An old network driver also plays tricks.
• Wi-Fi bands: Many printers only support 2,4 GHz. If your PC is in 5 GHz on a separate network, they may not “be seen.” Unifies SSID or change bands.

USB: Quick checks that save time

If the connection is via USB and Windows 11 doesn't detect the printer, check the physical first: avoid spending hours in software if the problem is a cable.

• Try another USB port of the team and listen if the sound connected device beep. No beep, suspected port/cable.
• Change the USB cable. The cables fail more than we think and not always in sight.
• Run the USB troubleshooter in Windows if it does not recognize the device. You can reconfigure drivers automatically.

Useful tips: restarts and order of operations

When in doubt, the reboot order helps: turn off printer, turns off router, restart PC, turn on router, turn on printer, try again. Force a Boot cleansed removes temporary blocks.

If another app or device prints (for example, from the mobile phone with the manufacturer's app), the network and printer are fine; the problem is in Windows, so focus on drivers, firewall and sharing.

Alternative when urgent: print from a pendrive

It is not the ideal solution, but if you need to print now, many printers allow connect a pendrive and select documents from your screen. You avoid drivers and network while you solve the problem on the PC.

Also, you can scan directly to the USB flash drive and then transfer the files to your computer. It's more tedious, but it gets you out of trouble.

With all the above You should be able to cover 99% of scenarios: clean reinstall, manual port/IP addition, enabling sharing and discovery, SMB 1.0 only if needed, properly configured firewall, up-to-date drivers, active print services, and a conflict-free network. If the error still persists after a specific update, insists on Windows Update, checks host and client credentials and drivers, and validates that the share path works from Explorer with \\Computer\\Printer.