Reconnect Your Printer Effortlessly After a Windows 10 Update

The Problem: Printer Connectivity Issues After Windows Update

A common scenario after a Windows 10 update is that the printer stops communicating with the laptop. This can manifest as the printer failing to appear in the device list or not responding to print commands. Such issues can arise due to several factors related to system updates, including driver incompatibilities and changes in system settings.

Troubleshooting Steps

Step 1: Check Printer Connection

First, ensure that the printer is properly connected, either via USB or over a network. For USB printers, try connecting the printer to different ports on your laptop. For network printers, verify that the printer and laptop are on the same network and that the network settings are correct.

Step 2: Run the Printer Troubleshooter

Windows 10 includes a built-in tool for diagnosing and fixing printer issues. To access it:

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters.
• Select "Printer" and then click "Run the troubleshooter".
• Follow the prompts to detect and resolve any issues found.

Step 3: Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

Drivers can often become incompatible after a system update. To address this:

• Visit the printer manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers compatible with your updated version of Windows 10.
• To install, open Device Manager, locate your printer under "Print queues", right-click, and select "Update driver".
• Alternatively, you can uninstall the printer from Device Manager, disconnect the printer, reconnect it, and allow Windows to automatically find and install the appropriate driver.

Step 4: Check Print Spooler Service

The print spooler service may need to be restarted if it’s not running correctly. Here’s how:

• Press Windows + R, type "services.msc", and press Enter.
• Scroll down to "Print Spooler", right-click, and select "Restart".
• Additionally, ensure this service is set to start automatically.

Step 5: Restore Previous System Settings

If all else fails, consider rolling back to a previous system restore point before the update:

• Search for "Create a restore point" in the Windows search box and select it.
• Go to the "System Protection" tab and click "System Restore".
• Follow the prompts to choose a restore point prior to the update and proceed with the system restoration.

Best Practices and Preventive Measures

To mitigate future issues, it's advisable to:

• Set Windows to notify before downloading and installing updates. This allows for the creation of a system restore point manually, providing a safety net.
• Regularly check for and install updates from the printer manufacturer.

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By following these guidelines, you can usually resolve printer connectivity issues post-Windows update and ensure smoother operation of your peripheral devices.