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Can't Connect to Wireless Printer on network with Windows 7

Anonymous
2010-08-07T14:18:22+00:00

Original Title:Can't Connect to Wireless Printer with Windows 7

I recently purchased a Lexmark Prevail Pro 705 printer and connected it to my network using my desktop computer.  The network consists of a Linksys WRT320N router, the desktop computer connected to the router via wired connection, and a Lenovo W510 notebook connected via wireless.  The printer drivers installed just fine on the desktop and I was able to print normally (printer is hooked up via wireless as well).  The printer also shows up in the Network map on the desktop.  It won't show up on the laptop, however.  I have spent about 5 hours on the phone with Lexmark and the only way we were able to get the laptop and printer to communicate is with an ad hoc network (wireless) connection.  Lexmark says this means it is something with Windows on the laptop and not a Lexmark defect.  The laptop works fine otherwise, able to see the desktop computer and have Internet connectivity with the normal network connection.  I want it to see the printer as well.  I have looked through many of the fixes on here and they haven't worked (i.e. network discovery, windows firewall, etc.).  Is it my laptop or is it something wrong with the printer?  How can I get my laptop to connect to the printer and print using my home network connection?  I also don't want to have to go through the desktop, as it is turned off much of the time the laptop is on.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-08-16T10:25:11+00:00
    1. Turn on the printer. Be sure that it is set up to connect wirelessly -- check your printer manufacturer's user guide and documentation for information about your specific printer model.
    2. Click on the "Windows" button to display the menu. Select "Devices and Printers" on the right-hand panel.
    3. Select the "Add a Printer" button from the menu bar of the Devices and Printers dialog window. The currently attached printers are displayed; review them to ensure that the new printer is not already attached through some other network connection.
    4. Click the "Add a network, wireless or Bluetooth printer" option. Windows searches for available printers; it may take a few minutes to discover the new printer.
    5. Choose the printer that you want to add from the list of network-visible printers. Click the "Next" button. Windows searches for the appropriate driver for the printer. If the operating system has a driver installed, you can choose this option, or follow the steps provided by the manufacturer to install proprietary software.
    6. Add a name for the printer or accept the name provided by Windows. Click "Next" to install the printer.
    7. Decide if you are going to share the printer through this machine. If the printer is available through the wireless network, it will be available to other users in the same fashion, precluding the need to share it.
    8. Click "Finish" to complete the installation of the printer.

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-08-08T14:20:48+00:00

    Unfortunately, I've tried both of those and neither works.

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-08-08T15:36:22+00:00

    Hi

    I highly doubt that there is something wrong with your Laptop per-se.

    Try to install the Printer the way you installed it on the desktop running the full Lexmark utility software.

    Make sure that it is pointing to the same Printer's IP as the Desktop does, check the Firewall of the laptop to make sure that it does not block the printer's traffic.

    If you are using 3rd party security software it might be that you need to uninstall it and revert to Wnidows Firewall.

    Jack-MVP Windows Networking. WWW.EZLAN.NET

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-08-08T07:21:38+00:00

    Hi mikeynavy1,

    **Step 1:**Run the Network Troubleshooter and check if it helps. Refer the below mentioned articles for the same.

    Using the Network troubleshooter in Windows 7

    Open networking troubleshooters

    **Step 2:**Try the Add Printer Wizard on the laptop and check if the printer can be added. Refer the below mentioned links for the same.

    Install a printer

    Install a printer on a home network

    Also refer:

    Open the Printer troubleshooter

    Hope this helps!

    Syed N – Microsoft Support

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