Windows 11 does not see Printer

Question

Computer; Windows 11

Printer HP officeJet Pro 6978

The printer showed it was Offline. When I ran Windows printer Troubleshooter...it showed printer was Turned off...but printer was definitely On.

I unpluged printer...Restarted; same issues

I Restarted PC...same issues

Printer is a Network printer ethernet to Router

I had downloaded full driver\Software version for this printer from HP.com

I decided to deleted printer software and driver and re-install clean version.

When software Install starts it looks for Printer...you cannot install the software with out the Install first discovering the printer. The Install could not be completed as it did not see printer.

Troubleshooting steps I took Delelting and re-installing driver\package software 99.9% of the time resolves printer issues. This time...it did not work and now I have No Printer connected to the PC.

With Windows 11 and a HP printer that is 5 years old.....normally on Windows start up Windows will see the Printer and assign a Driver that will at least connect the printer and allow printing. Perhaps that does not work that way when the printer is connected as a Network Printer via the Router. Not sure if I connect the printer direct to PC Via USB if that would resolve the issue and connect the Printer so it will print....????

The printer displays a "?" on its display...searching that it reads it means there are incomplete print Jobs...not so as Printer que is empty.

I don't know if I have a printer problem..and I should purchase a new printer, or, I have a Windows problem...

Sometimes it is best to leave well enough alone...because even with Windows printer trouble shooter showing Printer was Turned Off...and Offline...Printer was printing. But now that I have deleted Driver\software to re-install Clean copy...I can't because the software process...can't find/see the printer to proceed with the Install.

I am at a dead-end not knowing what to do next...or what to buy New.....

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

Answer 1

Hi Den,

Lets try a couple things and hopefully save you some money from having to buy a new printer
Its important your computer and printer have the same ip address subnet

You can check this by

1. Open command prompt on your computer and type ipconfig

take note of the ipv4 address you see, it should be something like 192.168.1.77 or something similar
The numbers in bold should match exactly as the printers ipv4 address, the unbold number can be anything

Print a configuration pageOn the printer’s control panel, tap the Setup icon (usually looks like a wrench or gear).

1. Go to Reports by scrolling down.
2. Select Network Configuration Page
3. Press Print.

Next lets add the printer via IP on the windows computer

1. On the printer report page that we printed, you should see an ip address next to IPv4
2. Open Settings: Press Windows + I to open Settings, then go to Devices > Printers & scanners.
3. Click Add a printer or scanner.
4. Select The printer that I want isn’t listed when Windows starts searching for printers.
5. In the new window, choose Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname and click Next.
6. Under Device type, select TCP/IP Device.
7. In the Hostname or IP address field, enter the IP address of your printer.
8. Leave the Port name field as it is, and ensure that Query the printer and automatically select the driver to use is checked.
9. Click Next, and Windows will attempt to find and install the appropriate drivers. (If prompted, you may need to download drivers from the printer manufacturer’s website.)
10. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup and add the printer.

Answer 2

What Terrific Instructions....Thank You

Followed all the steps...only step...at one point came to a windows asking use Installed Driver (recommanded) or replace driver...I left it at Use Installed driver.

Completed on screen instructions. I do see the Printer in Device and Printers...when I click Print a test Page....the print job goes to the Printers Que...I see it there it does not Print.

I ran Printer Troubleshooter....and here is what it showed..... When I open Device and Printers/Control Panel it shows this printer is set as default. When I open ALL SETTINGS/Devices/Printers...it shows the Printer and shows it as Default. I have the PC and the Printer ethernet connected to our Modem\Router...so its been a Network printer for years. I decided to power off PC and Printer. ReBoot the ComCast Modem\Router. Waited for Modem to complete Bootup. Powered on PC and Powered on Printer.... Made no difference...printing a test page or Pinting from Word...job goes into Printers Que...but does Not Print.

Answer 3

Windows 10

HP OfficeJet Pro 6978 Printer....set up connected to Router so it is an accessible Network Printer. Printer is definitely Power On, and connected to Router....

Followed steps to manually configure Printer ...only step not cercern of...at one point came to a windows asking use Installed Driver (recommanded) or replace driver...I left it at Use Installed driver.

Completed all the other on screen instructions. I do see the Printer in Device and Printers now...when I click Print a Test Page....the print job goes to the Printers Que...I see it there, it does not Print.

I ran Printer Troubleshooter....and here is what it showed..... When I open Device and Printers/Control Panel it shows this printer is set as default. When I open ALL SETTINGS/Devices/Printers...it shows the Printer and shows it as Default. I have the PC and the Printer ethernet connected to our Modem\Router...so its been a Network printer for years. I decided to power off PC and Printer. ReBoot the ComCast Modem\Router. Waited for Modem to complete Bootup. Powered on PC and Powered on Printer.... Made no difference...printing a test page or Pinting from Word...job goes into Printers Que...but does Not Print.

Reply   Edit

***Move from Windows / Windows 10 / Devices and drivers***

Answer 4

Can your Printer contact via WiFi?

Have you tried using the HP Smart app to solve

printing problems?

I noticed you posted in the IT category,

is your Printer a Company Printer?

Answer 5

Hello,

Based on my understanding of your issue, I suggest you try the following steps to troubleshoot:

1. Make sure the correct printer driver is installed on your computer and the driver is the latest version. Sometimes the driver may be damaged or incomplete, causing the printer to be unable to connect to the network properly.
2. Make sure the printer is assigned the correct IP address and there is no IP address conflict with other devices. You can try to manually set the printer's IP address to resolve this issue.
3. Some firewall settings may prevent the printer from communicating with the network. Make sure your firewall allows the printer to communicate with the network.

Best Regards

Zunhui