How to Find the Printer on Your Network in Windows 11?

Find the Printer on Your Network in Windows 11:

Network printer connections can be made in a few different ways with Printer on Your Network in Windows 11.

To find available printers, use the built-in function in Settings as follows:

Step 1: Select Printers & scanners under Bluetooth & devices after opening Settings.

Step 2: - Clicking with a right on the Start icon and selecting Settings from the list is one method to open it. Additional search options include Printers & Scanners and Settings.

Step 3: - To find available printers, select Add device.

Step 4: - When the printer you wish to install is highlighted, click Add device.

Step 5: - Windows will set up the printer. To finish the installation, adhere to any instructions displayed on screen.

Printers that are shared by Windows users can be used by others. The printer is installed on one computer via USB, and it is then shared, meaning that anyone with access to the computer can use it.

Step 6: - Navigate to Settings > Devices & Bluetooth > Printers & scanners. Include a gadget.

Step 7: - When you see Add manually, wait a couple of seconds before selecting it.

Step 8: - Decide Enter the share name of the printer after selecting it by name.

How to Solve the Problem of Not Finding a Network Printer

There are more difficulties when connecting a printer via a network than when it is connected straight to your computer. When a printer is unavailable over the network, try these troubleshooting steps, making sure to test each step to make sure the printer is operational.

Make sure the printer and you are on the same network. For instance, you'll need to turn on Wi-Fi on the computing device and integrate the network password if you're using it for mobile internet use, which is how laptops typically access the internet.

Verify that the printer can connect to the network. You should be able to determine if that it's a wireless printing device with a screen by looking at the printer's display.

If the message "Driver is unavailable" appears when you try to add a printer, install the printer driver. The best way to accomplish this is to go to the website of the printer manufacturer and look for and download the relevant driver.

Launch the print spooler application. This only matters if the service you're using is unavailable, as doing so will prevent you from manually adding a printer.

Utilise the integrated printer troubleshooter. Though it's worth a try, this is probably only going to be helpful if the printer has already been partially installed.

Navigate to the Troubleshoot section by selecting Printers and the Scanners > Bluetooth and the devices > Settings. Proceed to the computer where the imaging device is being provided over the network and perform a complete reinstallation of the printer.

This article describes how to find the printer on your network in windows 11, whether a wireless printer or a wired printer. We'll also review what to do if you've attempted the standard procedures and the printer is still invisible.

How to Use the Network to Find Your Printer

There are several options in Windows 11 for connecting to network printers. Here's how to find available printers using the automated tool in Settings:

• Navigate to Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners after opening Settings.
• You can use the context menu by right-clicking on the Start menu and selecting Settings from the list. Additionally, you can look up Printers & Scanners or Settings.
• Choose Add Device to look for compatible printers.
• Next to the printer you wish to install, select Add device.
• Windows will install the printer. To finish the installation, adhere to any on-screen instructions.

How to View Networked Printers That Are Shared

Others can use printers that Windows users share. This is typically the configuration when several computers connected to a network wish to print to a non-network-enabled printer. The printer is installed on one computer via USB and then shared, meaning that anyone with access to the computer can use it.

Here's how to locate printers that are shared:

• Navigate to Settings > Devices & Bluetooth > Printers & scanners. Include a gadget.
• When you see Add manually, wait a few seconds before selecting it.
• Enter the share name of the printer after selecting it by name. The computer that is housing the printer must be mentioned. This is how it will appear:
• To start installing the printer, select Next. When the last prompt appears, choose Next > Finish.

How to Solve the Problem of Not Finding a Network Printer

There are more difficulties when connecting a printer via a network than when connected directly to your computer. When a printer is unavailable over the web, try these troubleshooting steps to test each step to ensure the printer is operational.

Verify that the printer and you are connected to the same network. For instance, you must enable Wi-Fi on the laptop and enter the network password if you use a computer that typically connects to the internet via a mobile connection.

Verify the printer's ability to connect to the network. You should be able to tell via the printer's display if it's a wireless printer with a screen. Make sure the computer has a working connection for any network-shared wired printers.

Everything preventing your computer from printing should be turned off and back on.

In the Add Printer dialogue box, manually enter the printer's information. Navigate to the printers and scanners section under Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Add device > Add manually.

Adding the printer using its IP address or hostname—which you can find on the printer or the computer to which it is connected—is one of the available options.

If the message "Driver is unavailable" appears when you try to add a printer, install the printer driver. The best way to accomplish this is to go to the printer manufacturer's website and look for and download the relevant driver.

Launch the print spooler application. This only matters if the service is unavailable, as doing so will prevent you from manually adding a printer.

Utilise the integrated printer troubleshooter. Though it's worth a try, this will only be helpful if the printer has been partially installed.

Navigate to the Troubleshoot section by selecting Printers & Scanners > Bluetooth & devices > Settings.

Proceed to the computer where the printer is being shared over the network and completely reinstall the printer. To do this, remove it from the computer, restart it, install it again with the correct drivers, and then share it.

FAQ's

Can Windows 11 be Fixed with an Outdated Printer?

Sure, but if you have the correct device drivers, most printers manufactured in the last ten years will function with Windows 11. Windows 11 should be compatible with your printer if it is compatible with Windows 10.

How can I Set up my Printer for Wireless Access?

Depending on your printer model, different steps are involved in setting it up on your Wi-Fi network. To configure the network settings for certain printers, you need to install a companion app on your computer or mobile device. The Wi-Fi network's password and network name (SSID) must be known.

How can I Make Printer Sharing Available in Windows 11?

To modify the advanced sharing settings, open the Control Panel and navigate to Network and the Internet> Network and Sharing Centre. Navigate to the File and Printer Sharing section and click the "Turn On" button.