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Offstage

Printer won't connect or print

Most printer problems aren't the printer. They're the connection between it and everything else.

What's usually going on

The printer and the computer have ended up on different Wi-Fi networks, the router has given the printer a new address, or the computer is sending jobs to an old copy of the printer that no longer exists. The printer itself is usually fine.

Worth trying first

  1. Check the Wi-Fi name on both.

    The printer's screen, or its printed network report, should show the same network name as your computer. A guest network or an extender with its own name is the most common culprit.

  2. Turn it off properly.

    Power the printer off, wait thirty seconds, turn it back on, and give it two minutes to rejoin the network.

  3. Clear the queue.

    One stuck job blocks everything behind it. Open the print queue on your computer and cancel everything in it.

  4. Remove the printer and add it again.

    On a Mac: System Settings, then Printers & Scanners. On Windows: Settings, Bluetooth & devices, Printers & scanners. Remove it, then add it back.

When to hand it over

If it works for a day and then stops again, the router is probably moving the printer to a new address. That takes a change on the network, which we can make remotely. Also hand it over if the printer shows an error code, has never worked on this network, or needs to print from phones as well.

What we handle 

Your own technologist, on call.

Tell us a little about your setup. We'll take it from there.

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