Fix printer problems after updating or upgrading to Windows 10

Check the power. Make sure that the printer’s electrical cord is plugged into an electrical outlet and that the power switch is turned on. If you’re printing to a shared printer or a printer on a network, make sure that all necessary computers and routers are turned on. If your printer or other equipment is plugged in to a surge protector or a backup power supply, make sure that the surge protector or power supply is plugged in and turned on.

Check the cables (wired printers). Make sure that the printer’s USB cable is properly connected from the printer to your PC.

Check the wireless connection (wireless printers). Do the following:

• Make sure the printer’s wireless option is turned on and available. Many printers have a button that displays a blue wireless icon when a wireless connection option for the printer is available. To learn where this button is located on your printer and to find instructions about how to turn it on, see the instructions that came with the printer or check the manufacturer’s website for instructions.
• Run the printer’s wireless connectivity test. Many printers have a menu option to test the printer’s wireless connectivity. Read the instructions that came with the printer or check the printer manufacturer’s website for instructions about how to do this.
• If those check out and you’re still having problems, your PC may not be connecting to your wireless network. To learn more, see Why can’t I get online? If you’re still having problems, you can try more advanced steps here: Fix network connection issues in Windows 10.

If your printer still doesn’t work, continue on to Step 2.

Try removing and reinstalling the printer.

Remove your printer

1. Select the Start  button, then select Settings  > Devices > Printers & scanners.
2. Under Printers & scanners, find the printer, select it, and then select Remove device.

Reinstall your printer

You’ll need to follow different steps for wireless and local printers, and we’ll show you how.

Install or add a wireless printer

1. Select the Start  button, then select Settings  > Devices > Printers & scanners.
2. Select Add a printer or scanner. Wait for your device to find nearby printers, choose the one you want, and then select Add device.

If your printer is turned on and connected to the network, Windows should find it easily. Available printers can include all printers on a network, such as Bluetooth and wireless printers or printers that are plugged into another computer and shared on the network. You might need permission to install some printers.

Install or add a local printer

If you want to connect to a local printer, simply plug the USB cable from your printer into an available USB port on your PC, and then turn on the printer.

1. Select the Start  button, then select Settings  > Devices > Printers & scanners.
2. Under Printers & scanners, look for your printer.
   • If you see it listed, you’ll know your printer is installed.
   • If you don’t see it listed, select Add a printer or scanner. Wait for your device to find available printers, choose the one you want, and then select Add device.

If your printer still doesn’t work, continue on to step 3.

Most printers require driver software to work properly. If you recently upgraded from one version of Windows to another, it’s possible that the current printer driver is for the previous version of Windows. The driver may not work with Windows 10, or it may not work as well as it did before. Your drivers could also become damaged if you’ve had recent power outages, viruses, or other computer problems. Downloading and installing the latest driver for your printer can often resolve these types of problems.

There are three ways to update your driver:

• Use Windows Update. Windows Update might have an updated version of your printer driver. To update your drivers using Windows Update:
   
  1. In the search box next to the Start  button, type Device Manager and select it from the results. You might be asked for an admin password, or to confirm your choice.
  2. Expand Printers, find your device, right-click it, and then select Update driver. If you don’t see Printers in the list, install a printer and try again—it’s likely you don’t have any printers installed.
  3. Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
• Install software from the printer manufacturer. If your printer came with a disc, it might contain software that installs a driver for the printer. If it does, use the disc to install your driver.
• Download and install the driver yourself. If Windows Update can’t find a driver for your printer, and the printer didn’t come with software that installs a driver, check the manufacturer’s website. Driver updates are often available in the support section of such websites. Locate and download the latest driver for your printer. Follow the driver installation instructions on the website.

Most drivers are self-installing—after you download them, you usually double-tap (or double-click) the file to begin the installation. If you download a driver that isn’t self-installing, follow these steps to install it:

1. In the search box next to the Start  button, type Device Manager, and select it from the results. You might be asked for an admin password, or to confirm your choice.
2. Expand Printers, find your device, right-click it, and then select Update driver. If you don’t see Printers in the list, install a printer and try again—it’s likely you don’t have any printers installed.
3. Select Search automatically for updated driver software.

If these steps don’t work, try reinstalling the driver. This step may be necessary to ensure that damaged or corrupted drivers are completely replaced. Follow these steps to remove the old driver:

1. Disconnect your printer’s USB cable from your PC.
2. Select the Start  button, then select Settings  > Devices > Printers & scanners.
3. Find the printer in the list under Printers & scanners, select it, and then select Remove device.
4. In the search box on the taskbar, type Print Management, then select it in the search results.
5. Select All Printers, find your printer in the list, press and hold (or right-click) it, and then select Delete.
6. Restart your PC.
7. Reconnect your printer’s cable to your PC and try installing the software and the driver again.