If you’re having trouble printing from a Windows 10 printer, follow some standard steps, like double-checking cables or connectivity. If all else fails, you can run the Windows Troubleshooter to try and fix the most common printer setup problems.

Check For Missing Cables Or Wireless Connectivity

If you’re having trouble printing from your printer, it might be because you don’t have enough connection between your printer and your PC.

If you’re having trouble printing from a wireless printer, make sure that the printer cable has a snug fit at both ends. If not, try connecting the printer to an Ethernet cable and see if that helps.

To print from a wireless printer, you will need to connect it to your own wireless network and press the WPS button on the printer and router.

This button on your printer can connect to your wireless network automatically. If it doesn’t work the first time, try again.

If your device doesn’t seem to be working with Windows, you may need to try the WPS method. If that doesn’t work, you may need to connect your printer to your PC using USB and configure the wireless configuration manually.

Install Missing Printer Drivers

Windows 10 comes with a vast catalog of printer drivers already available for download and installation when a new printer is connected. This means that, if you have a compatible printer, you can print documents and photos without having to search for and install a new driver. ..

If Windows fails to install the printer driver automatically, you can try to do so yourself. In most cases, you don’t need to do anything; Windows should do this for you. However, if Microsoft doesn’t have the drivers for your printer or it just doesn’t install automatically, you can try to install them yourself. ..

Next, use the Windows search bar to type “driver software.” To do this, right-click your Windows Start menu button and click Settings. From here, click Devices > Printers & Scanners. Click the plus sign (+) to add a printer or scanner.

Windows will search for a printer if it detects one on your device. If it can’t find one, it will list the printers that you have connected to your computer. If you want to connect to a printer that isn’t listed, click the link next to the printer that you want.

In the Add Printer wizard, choose the relevant option for your printer. If it’s a wireless printer, select Add a Bluetooth, wireless or network discoverable printer and click Next to continue. Select My printer is a little older if your printer is older (for instance, if it doesn’t use USB).

To install your printer, follow the on-screen instructions. If you can’t find your printer in Device Manager, you may need to update your drivers. To do that, right-click your Windows Start menu button and click Device Manager. In Device Manager, look for the Printers category. If you can’t see your printer listed here, click View > Show hidden devices or look for your device under Other devices instead. ..

Right-click on your device and click Update driver.  Click the “Search automatically for updated driver software” link that appears afterward. ..

Windows will search online for relevant drivers for your printer and, if found, install them automatically. If Windows can’t find your printer, you’ll need to locate and install the missing printer drivers yourself. Look for your printer model in the downloads or support sections of your manufacturer’s website, and download the latest driver package for your device.Once you have the latest drivers for your printer, you can then return to Device Manager, right-click on your device, then click Update driver > Browse my computer for driver software instead. Alternatively, your manufacturer may provide an installer to install your drivers for you automatically. ..

Set As Default Printer

If you have multiple printers installed on your computer, you may experience some printing issues. By setting your new printer as the default Windows printer, you can prevent these problems from occurring in the future. ..

To set your printer as the default Windows printer, right-click your Windows Start button and click Settings. In Settings, click Devices > Printers & Scanners. You’ll need to uncheck the Allow Windows to manage my default printer checkbox, or you won’t be able to set a default printer yourself. ..

To disable this setting, click on your printer and click Manage. ..

In your printer management settings, click the “Set as default” button to make it the default printer for Windows.

If your printer configuration is correct, you should be able to print from this printer. ..

Run The Windows 10 Troubleshooter

If your printer still doesn’t work after following these steps, running the Windows 10 Troubleshooter could resolve the printer problem. This checks your printer configuration and guides you through some additional steps to get your printer up and running. ..

To launch the Windows 10 Troubleshooter for your printer, right-click the Start button on your computer. Click Settings, then Update & Security > Troubleshoot. In the Troubleshoot section, under Get up and running, click Printer. Click Run the troubleshooter to begin. ..

Please select your printer from the list provided. Select the relevant printer, or select My printer is not listed, then click Next to proceed.

Windows will then search through your printer configuration and any relevant Windows settings to find conflicts. If any printer problems are detected, Windows will ask you for permission to apply the relevant fix to get your printer working.

Resolving Your Windows 10 Printer Problems

If you have a Windows 10 printer and are having trouble printing, here are some tips to help you out.

If you still face issues setting up and using your printer, try removing your printer or reinstalling the printer driver as a next step before contacting your manufacturer’s customer support team.