NETWORK PRINTER CANT FIND DRIVER

Question

I recently installed Windows 8 and initially network printer and homegroup worked OK, but after start up fault I had to "refresh" since then I lost both homegroup and network printer. Managed to re-install homegroup but cannot connect to network printer.

I can see network printer but when I try to connect it starts looking at Windows Update for printer driver. Reports no .inf file on network.

So I tried direct USB connection and installed driver from original CD, this was successful and works OK.

But repeated trying to connect to network printer, pointed to .inf file after repeated Windows update search, with same message, no suitable driver found.

Went onto Cannon site and down loaded both 32 & 64 bit drivers, Laptop is 32bit host is 64 bit.

still with same result.

This driving me crazy, anyone got useful suggestions ?

Answer 1

Thank you for your help, but the method shown did not work.

I have managed to install the iP1900 printer by the following method.

1    I started the “printer advanced setup” and selected printer not shown, opened the wi ndows driver list and noted the entry for the printer was “Canon iP1900 series”

2   Then checked on the desktop and printer name was “ Canon Inkjet iP1900 series” so I went to sharing set up and deleted “ inkjet"

3   Restarted the laptop and used “printer advanced setup” entered new port as

“\desktop\Canon Inkjet iP1900 series” went select driver, and then used “ use existing driver” option, then installed printer and printed test page.

Hope this may be of help to someone else.

Answer 2

1)      Have you made any hardware or software changes on the computer prior to the issue?

Yes as I said I had to run refresh, as some files were corrupt or missing.

2)       Do you get any error message / code?

No just "Cannot connect"

3)       What is the model number of the printer?

Canon iP1900

I have followed both Method 1 And 2

I have spoken with Canon Support who sent me the latest 32 bit driver for the laptop.

and updated driver on the 64 bit desktop host. This was not accepted by the normal install route.

despite pointing to newly installed driver ip1900.inf.

But iP1900 has now been added to the windows drive list for manual installation, and printer is now

shown on Devices & Printers, but dosn;t work.

Answer 3

Hi Don,

Welcome to Microsoft Community Forums.

From the description, you are facing issue while connecting the Network Printer.

To assist you better I would appreciate if you could answer the following questions:

1)      Have you made any hardware or software changes on the computer prior to the issue?

2)       Do you get any error message / code?

3)       What is the model number of the printer?

Follow the steps and check,

Method 1:

Fix printer problems

**http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/printer-problems-in-windows-help#fix-printer-problems=windows-8&v1h=win8tab1&v2h=win7tab1&v3h=winvistatab1&v4h=winxptab1**

Method 2:

HomeGroup problems in Windows

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/windows-8/homegroup-problems-in-windows

Note: Refer the section that says “I can't print to a homegroup printer”

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This information should help. If you need further assistance regarding Windows, please post. We will be happy to help you.