Why the computer does not recognize the printer

Problems with setting up and installing a printer or MFP, as a rule, arise before the first launch. In some cases, the settings "fly off", for example, after reinstalling the operating system. Less often, the reason lies in technical problems: a broken wire, a loose cable jack in a printer or a USB port.

Visual diagnosis of the technical condition

If the computer or laptop does not see the printer, you need to carry out a detailed diagnosis and you need to start with the simplest - a visual inspection. Connect the printer to the network, connect the wire to the USB and printer, turn on the machine and computer.

The procedure is as follows.

1. Health check power cable.
2. Turn on the PC with a button, check its operation (the printer does not turn on).
3. Inspecting the USB cable from the printer to the PC.Try moving it around the nest, if the computer finds and loses the device, probably the nest is loose. Similarly, check the USB port.
4. Make sure everyone system lights are on.

Conveniently, if the printer can be checked by connecting it through a wireless network, or to another computer. Repeating the same error will be proof of a malfunction in the printer. If other devices see the printer, we are looking for the cause of the problem in the PC.

Installing / reinstalling the driver

When installing an MFP or printer, the user updates the device drivers, usually it’s enough for the device to function properly. If the original software (from a disk or the official site) is not updated or gives errors during installation / unpacking - this is a reason to clean the system from viruses, debug the operation of the operating system, or completely reinstall it. Before taking radical action, you can search compatible drivers (from previous or subsequent models), but this method rarely benefits.

In the control panel, find the section "Devices and Printers" - here the printer should be displayed.When it is defined as an unknown device, reinstalling the drivers and restarting the PC should solve the problem. If the computer stopped recognizing devices once - this is a small system failure, but if the error recurs regularly, you need to check all the settings.

If possible, connect to your PC via a wireless network, the connection indicates that the cable from the printer to the computer has failed.

Install / reinstall printer drivers for your operating system, for example, Windows. If the program disk is lost, drivers can be download on the official website manufacturer. Find your model through the search and install the software.

Print service and system crashes

The computer may not see the device because disabled in print service, the device will not be determined by the computer. Go to the control panel - administration - services. In the list you need to find the “Print Service” and check the launch type, there should be two marks here: status - working, startup type - automatic.

System failure - an abstract concept, so called all the operating system errors that are difficult to explain.The reason for the failure can be elementary - a sharp disconnection of the PC from the network or various programs. Perhaps, before this, various software was updated, after which the Windows system files were damaged. The solution to this problem is restart computer, but helps only at the initial stage.

Printer failure occurs quite rarely and independently of the brand — HP, Epson, Canon, etc. Perhaps this is influenced by indirect causes, imperceptible at first glance.

Viruses and antivirals

Antivirus programs can influence the installation of additional equipment, including printers. While using the program, the computer simply does not see the installed equipment. Temporarily suspend PC protection and test the operation of the printer.

Cleaning the operating system from viruses is a very useful exercise. Not all malware is safe, there are very unpleasant programs that can cause the computer almost mechanical damage. It is recommended to use only licensed programs for checking pc.

Do not forget that you need to clean not only the system, but also all external disks and flash cards.

Test the USB port

Printers are connected to a PC via USB port version 2.0, but due to an accidental operating system failure, USB activation in the BIOS may fail, in which case the port simply will not see any external media or accessory: headphones, removable disk / USB drive, USB Hub To solve the problem, you need to turn on the controller, you can enter the BIOS only when the operating system starts. The combination of hotkeys depends on the software version of the computer, if you don’t know how to do it exactly - press the F1, F2, F8, Tab, Del keys and all the “neighboring” keys alternately.

The BIOS interface is different, the user needs to find the following sections and activate them (setting Enabled):

• USB Mouse Support (mouse definition);
• USB Keyboard Support;
• USB EHCI controller (controller activation);
• Legacy USB storage detect (support for flash cards, external drives).

Exit and save the settings. Reboot the computer.

In most cases, all the above manipulations will help to deal with the problem, determine and eliminate the reason why the computer does not see the printer.

As practice shows, usually all manipulations end at reinstalling drivers.