If you’re using Windows 11 and suddenly your printer isn’t being recognized — or if you can’t add a new printer — this guide will help you diagnose and fix the problem step-by-step.
Symptoms You Might See
You may experience one or more of the following:
- No printer appears in Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners
- “Couldn’t add printer” error
- USB-connected printer doesn’t respond
- Network printer shows as offline
- Printer doesn’t appear even in Device Manager
Possible Causes
Common reasons why Windows 11 fails to detect a printer include:
- Loose or faulty USB/LAN cable connection
- Printer is turned off or in sleep mode
- Printer driver not installed or corrupted
- Compatibility issues after a Windows Update
- The Print Spooler service has stopped
- Network/IP address changes for a network printer
1. Check the Printer and Its Connection
Start with the basics:
- Make sure the printer is powered on
- Check for any error lights or messages
- If using USB, try a different USB port or cable
- For network printers, verify the wired LAN or Wi-Fi connection
Even simple issues like a loose cable can prevent detection.
2. Confirm Printer Settings in Windows
- Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners
- Check whether your printer is listed
- If not, click Add device to try adding it manually
Also consider turning off “Let Windows manage my default printer”, as this may cause a different device to be selected as default.
3. Reinstall the Printer Driver
Driver issues are a very common cause of detection problems.
Steps:
- Go to Settings → Apps → Installed apps
- Find your printer’s driver and uninstall it
- Restart your PC
- Download and install the latest Windows 11-compatible driver from the printer manufacturer’s website
Note: The default Windows driver might not work for all printer models.
4. Restart the Print Spooler Service
The Print Spooler service manages all print jobs. If it’s stopped, your printer won’t be recognized.
How to Restart:
- Press Win + R → type
services.msc→ Enter - Find Print Spooler
- If stopped, click Start
- If it’s running, right-click → Restart
This alone often resolves the issue.
5. Check in Device Manager
Sometimes Windows recognizes the hardware but flags a problem:
- Press Win + X → Device Manager
- Look under Printers or Unknown Devices
- If you see a yellow warning icon, it indicates a driver problem
Try removing the device and restarting your PC so Windows can re-detect it.
6. For Network Printers: Verify Network Settings
If your printer is networked (LAN/Wi-Fi):
- Ensure the PC and printer are on the same network
- Check if the printer’s IP address has changed
- Restart the router if necessary
- You might need to add the printer manually with its IP address
Network discovery and file & printer sharing settings can also affect detection.
7. After a Windows Update
If the problem started right after updating Windows:
- Check for new cumulative updates
- Ensure your printer manufacturer officially supports Windows 11
- If necessary, consider rolling back to a previous driver or update
Windows Updates can sometimes introduce compatibility issues with certain drivers.
Summary
To resolve “Printer Not Detected” issues on Windows 11, follow this order:
- Check physical connections
- Verify settings in Windows
- Reinstall or update the driver
- Restart the Print Spooler service
- Check in Device Manager
- Confirm network settings for network printers
- Review recent Windows Updates
Most cases can be fixed by reinstalling the driver, restarting the Print Spooler, or fixing the connection — so stay patient and methodical.
