My Windows 11 (24H2) Acer laptop only finds my Epson ET-3830 printer intermittently, but all the other devices including IOS in the house can find it.

Question

My Windows 11 (24H2) Acer laptop only finds my Epson ET-3830 printer intermittently, but all the other devices including IOS in the house can find it.

***moved from Windows / Windows 11 / Devices and drivers***

Answer 1

Hello LStarling,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community forum.

It sounds like you've taken some important steps already. Given that your laptop is having trouble rediscovering the printer after deletion, here are some additional steps you can try to resolve the issue:

1. Check for Windows Updates:

Ensure your Windows 11 is fully updated. Go to Settings > Windows Update and check for updates.

2. Network Discovery:

Ensure that network discovery is enabled on your laptop.

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings.

Make sure both Network Discovery and File and Printer Sharing are turned on.

3. Add Printer via IP Address:

Find the printer’s IP address (usually available on the printer’s network settings menu).

Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners > Add a printer or scanner.

Choose The printer that I want isn't listed.

Select Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname, and enter the printer’s IP address manually.

4. Firewall Settings:

Temporarily disable your firewall to see if it’s blocking the printer. If it works with the firewall disabled, you'll need to adjust the firewall settings to allow the printer.

Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security > Firewall & network protection and temporarily disable it.

5. Reinstall Printer Driver:

Re-download and install the latest driver for your Epson ET-3830 from the Epson support website.

During installation, connect to the printer by following the wizard prompts.

6. Check Wi-Fi Band:

Ensure your laptop and printer are connected to the same frequency band (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz). Some devices have trouble communicating if they are on different bands even if they are on the same network.

7. Advanced Printer Setup:

Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers > Add a printer.

Click on The printer that I want isn't listed.

Follow the steps to add the printer manually and try different methods to see if any detects your printer.

8. Reset Network Settings:

Sometimes resetting network settings on your laptop can help.

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset.

I hope the information above is helpful.

If you have any question or concern, please feel free to let us know.

Best Regards,

Daisy Zhou

Answer 2

Hi LStarling.

Thanks for reporting this issue in Microsoft Community.

In your description, your laptop is not consistently finding your printer.

I notice that you mention that other devices in your home can seek it out, so what is it currently connected to your computer by?

Is it controlling your printer through a cable or through a network share?

Is it a local area network?

Please let me know us and we will help you depending on the situation.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Best regards,

Zev - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 3

The printer is on our WiFi network and that is how the other devices connect to it and print using it. When I first got the laptop in September, it found and connected to the printer, then the printer disappeared. After I couldn't get it reconnected, I called Microsoft and while waiting for a call back I checked and the printer was there and I could install it. Two weeks ago the printer was there, but when I tried to do a scan I was told first connect a scanner. I printed a test page which worked, then I uninstalled the printer thinking that reinstalling it would fix the problem with scanning. However, once I deleted the printer, the laptop could no longer find it even though every other device in the house can.

Thanks for any help.

Answer 4

Thanks Daisy, the only thing that worked was to connect to the IP address for the printer. I still don't understand since my neither my wife's Windows 11 laptop, or any of my 4 IOS devices connect easily to the printer using the WiFi network. At least it is up for now.

Thanks,

Lowell Starlilng.