Printer name changed right after added.

Hello,

Thank you for posting in the Microsoft community forum.

According to the problem description you uploaded earlier, both of your printers are network printers. I understand that after you install the manufacturer's official driver in the test machine, the driver does not load when the printer is automatically added, and the printer name is still changed to the default device model after installation.

I would like to know what your client network environment is? Is your device domain added? I think the device name display problem is most likely related to the use of a generic print driver. If manually configuring printer names would burden IT administrators, you might consider configuring print servers for sharing.

Best regards

Jacen

Hi Eric,

I tested, after installing the driver in a test machine, and then add the printer automatically, the printer name still changed after installation.

The Official driver didn't load when doing the Automatic Printer Install.

What else we can do?

Thanks,

Another thought.
From the test we did, when adding printer automatically, which seems like picking the WSD type to go as if adding manually, but without requiring Local Admin credential, and bypassed the requirement of user input for the printer name.

How about changing the Automatic Printer adding process to use IPP device type? that should also fix the issue.

thanks,

Hi Eric,
Sorry for the late respond,
Answer to 1)

We go thru the very normal printer adding process.

Go into Settings -> Bluetooth & devices -> Printers & Scanners -> Add device

then printers with correct names pops up for picking.

then click on Add device for the printer that the user wanted to add.
Printer name still showing correctly until seconds before installation done, then the printer name changed to Model number.

We also tried adding the printer manually (which will require Local Admin credential to continue, that add work load to our IT Admins)

Selecting "Add a printer using an IP address or hostname"

When

Device type: was set to "IPP Device"

Hostname or IP address: entered the Printer's IP address.

Then click on Next

Printer added successfully, and the Printer Name showing correctly.

When

Device type: was set to "Web Service Device" (which is the same type as Adding the printer automatically.)

Hostname or IP address: entered the printer's IP address.

Then click on Next

Then it shows printer added successfully, and asking for Printer name: the pre-filled name is the Printer's Model number.

Then printer sharing option page shows up.

This seems like showing the automatic printer add has some name mapping issue.

I believe the the printer driver used in both method here, adding Automatically and manually with IPP or WSD type, are the same from Microsoft generic driver.

Answer to 2)

I haven't tried install the driver before adding the printer automatically, will try and update in later reply.

Answer to 3)

It happens to all Printers (all our printers are Brother brand), and it happens to all our Windows OS machines (most of them are running Windows 11 pro, only a few running Windows 10 Pro.) Mac users doesn't have this problem.

Answer to 4)
I checked with Brother support as well,

We did updated the Printer name in the printer Web Portal, which doesn't help.

They recommend us to change printer name after adding it, which also will add load to our IT Admin and users.

As from the test we did in Answer to 1), it looks more like a Printer name mapping issue when address Automatically or under WSD type, which Microsoft might be able to fix?

Thanks,

Hello! My name is Eric, and I’d be happy to help you with this printer name issue.

Here are a few questions that might help us troubleshoot:

1. How was the printer initially installed? Was it installed automatically, or did you manually add the driver? Sometimes, if Windows installs a generic driver, it might override custom settings.
2. Have you tried using a custom driver from the manufacturer? Using the driver directly from Brother (rather than the Microsoft-provided driver) might help retain the customized name.
3. Is this issue happening across multiple devices or only on a specific one? This could help determine if it’s a network-wide issue or something specific to certain devices.
4. Have you checked for any updates from the manufacturer? Brother may have updated drivers or installation options that allow for custom naming.

Additionally, I’ve personally found it easiest to follow the setup guide included in the box with the printer for the initial setup. This can sometimes help ensure that all features work as expected right from the start.

You might also find this support page useful, as it covers printer connection and printing issues in Windows: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/fix-printer-connection-and-printing-problems-in-windows-fb830bff-7702-6349-33cd-9443fe987f73

Let me know if these steps help or if you need further assistance!

Thanks,

Eric