Computer Can’t Find Wireless Printer

Wireless printers are fantastic pieces of technology, requiring only a power cable to operate. However, it can be frustrating if you are having trouble finding a printer on your wireless network. This is a common problem even in top-quality printers, but you can easily fix it. Some wireless printers use Bluetooth and related types of wireless connections. If your computer can’t find the wireless printer, you’ll want to take a look at the wireless connection. If it’s still not finding it, try enabling your printer to connect or move the printer closer to the computer.

And if this is you are upgrading to a wireless printer because your old one stopped working, be sure to know what to do with that old printer.

Take a Look at the Wireless Connection

The issue could not lie with your printer, but rather with your actual wireless connection. We recommend testing the wireless connection by looking at the status indicator lights on your modem and router. If you aren’t sure, simply unplug both devices, wait a minute, and then plug them back in. You can also check your wireless connection by simply opening up a webpage on your laptop computer, smartphone, or another device connected to the network. If your wireless connection isn’t operating properly, you will not be able to do wireless prints.

If you are looking to find your wireless network so you can get started with wireless print jobs, here are some useful tips and guidelines. Please note, every printer, router, and modem will be different, though we made sure to keep these tips as universal as possible.

How Do Wireless Printers Work?

Knowing a little about wireless printers and how they work can be useful. Digital printers can be quite pricey, and you may wonder why their ink cartridges are so expensive. These digital printers typically connect to your home or office wireless network via a Wi-Fi connection, though they can connect in other ways.

If you’re new to wireless printing, check out our guide on how to connect a wireless printer to your hotspot or computer.

Enable Your Printer to Connect

If your printer is not connected to your wireless network, it may simply be a case of the printer dropping a previously held connection. Go into your printer’s settings panel and look for an option for enabling a wireless connection. You can also search for nearby devices using computers that are on your network, such as a laptop or Windows PC. You may need to restart your printer or download and install printer or router drive software.

Also, make sure your printer is not connected to another wireless network. A printer must be on the same network as the device sending print jobs. In other cases, your printer may work but may keep showing streaks. You may want to find out why your printer is making streaks or how to fix a flurry printer. For another relatively easy issue you may face, you can read about what to do if your wireless printer is not printing. Lastly, while it may seem difficult, we have a guide on what printer port you should use for your wireless printer to simplify this process.

Move the Printer

Often the culprit is blockage or distance away from the router. Generally speaking, wireless printers do not have a long wireless range, so they should be placed relatively close to the router. Additionally, some printers cannot receive signals if they are behind a closed door or behind a compartment.

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