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Setting up Network Printers on Windows 8.1

Anonymous
2015-05-05T19:14:24+00:00

I'm trying to set up some network printers to work with my new laptop (Lenovo Y40-80, Windows 8.1).  I'm getting errors during the setup process that are preventing me from being successful.

Here's what I'm doing so far:

1.  In control panel, open printers and devices.

2.  Click "add a printer".

3.  No printer is auto detected.  Click "the printer that I want wasn't listed".

4.  Under "select shared printer by name" click "browse".

5.  With "network" selected, in the field labeled "printer" type the address of the computer hosting the printer "\[Host name]" and press enter.  At this point I can see the printers I am trying to reach.

6.  Select the printer I want.  Click "next" in the "add printer" dialog.

7.  At this point I get the following error message: "Windows couldn't connect to the printer. Check the printer name and try again. If this is a network printer, make sure that the printer is turned on, and that the printer address is correct. "

I've tried a number of things to no avail.  Any advice on how to fix this problem?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-05-15T01:32:42+00:00

    6.  Select the printer I want.  Click "next" in the "add printer" dialog.

    7.  At this point I get the following error message: "Windows couldn't connect to the printer. Check the printer name and try again. If this is a network printer, make sure that the printer is turned on, and that the printer address is correct. "

    Sounds like a firewall problem but I don't know how to diagnose on that tack.  However, I do know that W8.1 has some scripts that might be helpful, e.g. in case you can get different symptoms to supplement your symptom description.

    Prnqctl.vbs

    https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc730914.aspx

    <quote>

    Prints a test page

    </quote>

    HTH

    Robert Aldwinckle

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-05-14T00:48:54+00:00

    I've tried these suggestions, but it did not work.

    1.  I can't connect directly, because I don't want to disrupt others who are using this printer.  I can say that the printer prints fine from multiple other computers on the network (including my old laptop).

    1. I've installed the printer drivers from the website.  During the installation process I was able to detect the printer by typing the host address, but when I tried to print a page, I got an error stating "Error printing on Dell3110cn-00000  The printer couldn't print [Document name]".

    To be clear, the printer is a Dell 3110cn.

    Do you have any other suggestions?

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-05-06T15:00:08+00:00

    Hi Jonas,

    Welcome to Microsoft Community.

    I appreciate you tried troubleshooting steps to fix issue by yourself. 

    This issue might have caused due to not installing the available driver for the printer on the computer.

    I suggest you to try the following methods.

    Method 1, Connect the printer to the computer and check if the printer is working fine or not.

    Method 2, Try downloading the latest printers driver from the computer manufacturer website and try installing it on the computer.

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/install-printer#install-printer=windows-8

    For more information follow the link:

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/sharing-files-printers-help#sharing-files-and-printers=windows-7&v1h=win81tab1&v2h=win7tab1&v3h=winvistatab1&v4h=winxptab1

    Try to follow the above methods and check whether the issue persist.

    Please reply with the status of the issue so that we can assist you better.

    Thanks.

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