How to Troubleshoot Wireless Printer Connectivity Issues?

23 minutes read

Troubleshooting wireless printer connectivity issues can be a frustrating experience, but it is essential in ensuring that your printer works seamlessly. Here are some steps you can follow to troubleshoot wireless printer connectivity issues:

  1. Verify printer and network status: Ensure that your printer is turned on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer. Check if the printer displays any error messages or issues related to connectivity.
  2. Restart devices: Restart your printer, computer, and router. Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve connectivity problems.
  3. Check your Wi-Fi signal: Make sure your printer is within range of your Wi-Fi network and that the signal strength is strong enough. Move the printer closer to the router if needed.
  4. Disable and enable Wi-Fi: Turn off the Wi-Fi on your printer and then turn it back on. This will force your printer to reconnect to the network.
  5. Update printer firmware: Check if there are any firmware updates available for your printer model. Updating the firmware can address compatibility issues and improve connectivity.
  6. Verify network settings: Ensure that your printer's IP address matches the IP range of your Wi-Fi network. You can access the printer settings through its control panel or by using its software on your computer.
  7. Configure firewall and antivirus settings: Verify that your firewall or antivirus software is not blocking the printer's communication with your computer. Temporarily disable these settings to see if it resolves the issue.
  8. Reinstall printer drivers: Uninstall the printer drivers from your computer and reinstall them. This will ensure you have the latest and compatible drivers.
  9. Check printing queues: Make sure that there are no pending print jobs or errors in the printing queue. Cancel any pending print jobs to prevent any conflicts.
  10. Reset network settings: If all else fails, you can try resetting the printer's network settings to default. However, be aware that you will need to set up the printer again as if it were new.


Remember, these steps may vary slightly depending on your printer model and software. It is always recommended to refer to the user manual or visit the manufacturer's website for specific troubleshooting instructions related to your printer.

Best Wireless Printers of 2024

1
Brother HLL2305W Compact Mono Laser Single Function Printer with Wireless and Mobile Device Printing

Rating is 5 out of 5

Brother HLL2305W Compact Mono Laser Single Function Printer with Wireless and Mobile Device Printing

  • Brother HL-L2305W Mono Laser Single Function Printer with Wireless and Mobile Device Printing
  • Print more, wait less, get more done. Fast print speed of up to 24 pages per minute delivers increased efficiency so you can print more, wait less and have more time to focus on other things.
  • Multiple printing options meet a variety of needs. The generous 250-sheet capacity adjustable paper tray easily handles letter and legal sizes paper and helps improve efficiency with less refills. The manual feed slot offers professional prints on a variety of papers and sizes including card stock, envelopes, and more.
  • Mobile printing made simple. Enjoy easy, reliable, wireless printing from your desktop, laptop, smartphone and tablet¹ so you can print from virtually anywhere. This wireless budget-friendly printer is perfect for on-the-go individuals and families allowing them to print from virtually anywhere.
  • Flexible connection options let you connect your way. Choose from the built-in wireless network interface to enable sharing with multiple users on your network or connect locally to a single computer via the USB interface.
2
Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with Scan and Copy – The Ideal Basic Home Printer - Black, Medium

Rating is 4.9 out of 5

Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge-Free Supertank Printer with Scan and Copy – The Ideal Basic Home Printer - Black, Medium

  • Innovative Cartridge-Free Printing ― High-capacity ink tanks mean no more tiny, expensive ink cartridges; Epson’s exclusive EcoFit ink bottles make filling easy and worry-free
  • Dramatic Savings on Replacement Ink ― Save up to 90% with replacement ink bottles vs. ink cartridges (1) – that’s enough to print up to 4,500 pages black/7,500 color (2), equivalent to about 90 individual ink cartridges (3)
  • Stress-Free Printing — Up to 2 years of ink in the box (4) – and with every replacement ink set – for fewer out of ink frustrations
  • Zero Cartridge Waste – By using an EcoTank printer, you can help reduce the amount of cartridge waste ending up in landfills
  • Impressive Print Quality ― Unique Micro Piezo Heat-Free Technology produces sharp text – plus impressive color photos and graphics – on virtually any paper type
  • Built-in Scanner & Copier ― High-resolution flatbed scanner and a color display for easy document copying and navigation
  • Modern Connectivity ― Features wireless, plus hands-free voice-activated printing (5). Easily print from your smart device (6) using AirPrint or the intuitive Epson Smart Panel App (7)
  • Designed for Reliability ― Worry-free 2-year limited warranty with registration (8), including full unit replacement
  • Epson strongly recommends the use of genuine ink to ensure optimal print quality and performance. Use of non-genuine ink could cause damage not covered under the printer’s ltd. wnty.
3
JADENS Portable Printers Wireless for Travel, Support 8.5" X 11" US Letter, Bluetooth Thermal Printer Compatible with iOS, Android & Laptop, Inkless Mobile Printer for Office, Home, School

Rating is 4.8 out of 5

JADENS Portable Printers Wireless for Travel, Support 8.5" X 11" US Letter, Bluetooth Thermal Printer Compatible with iOS, Android & Laptop, Inkless Mobile Printer for Office, Home, School

  • Cost-Effective, Ink-Free Printing: The mobile phone printers offers an economical solution for everyday printing needs, eliminating the need for ink, toner, and ribbons. Print recipes, forms, letters, assignments, study materials, and travel documents hassle-free with advanced thermal technology. Each thermal paper costs only $0.07, resulting in substantial savings of hundreds of dollars per year. Perfect for home, small office, and school use.
  • Easy Portability for On-the-Go Printing: Take printing wherever you need it with our mobile bluetooth printer. Whether it's in your car, backpack, or during business trips, JADENS portable printers wireless is your reliable companion for emergency scenarios, contracts, office documents, inventory lists, business checks, shipping labels, boarding passes, and more.
  • Effortless Setup via Bluetooth or USB: Our mobile sticker printer easily connects to smart devices with iOS & Android systems via Bluetooth, and also functions as a compact printer for laptops and computers. Setup takes just 5 minutes from unboxing, making it a breeze to get started. (Note: For smartphone printing, please download the app in advance. For laptops, install the driver first.)
  • Crisp Printing Quality & Long Battery Life: Experience crystal-clear printing with our portable travel printer, featuring 2 built-in 2600mAh batteries for continuous printing of up to 3 hours and 360 sheets on a single charge. With a remarkable 90 days standby time, this wireless printer is a must-have for businessmen and students on the move.
  • Adjustable Paper Sizes & Reliable After-Sale Support: Print documents ranging from 2 to 8.5 inches in size, accommodating various needs. We are committed to providing exceptional after-sale service, offering lifetime tech support via phone and email. Whether you have inquiries before or after using our portable wireless printer, our dedicated team is here to assist you promptly and effectively.
4
HP DeskJet 4155e Wireless Color Inkjet Printer, Print, scan, copy, Easy setup, Mobile printing, Best-for home, Instant Ink with HP+,white

Rating is 4.7 out of 5

HP DeskJet 4155e Wireless Color Inkjet Printer, Print, scan, copy, Easy setup, Mobile printing, Best-for home, Instant Ink with HP+,white

  • PERFECT FOR HOME – Best for printing basic color documents like recipes, forms and travel documents. Print speeds up to 8.5 pages per minute in black or 5.5 pages per minute in color..Operating temperature range : 41 to 104°F / 5 to 40°C
  • KEY FEATURES – Print, copy and scan in color, auto document feeder, mobile fax, mobile and wireless printing
  • INCLUDES FREE HP+ SMART FEATURES – Upgrade free to HP+ during setup to get advanced features for mobile printing, security, automatic updates and more. HP+ only works with an HP account, internet connection and Original HP Ink for the life of the printer.
  • CONNECTIVITY – Dual-band Wi-Fi with self-reset automatically detects and resolves connectivity issues. Also includes USB 2.0 port.
  • HP SMART APP – Simple, step-by-step guided setup. Print, scan, and copy everyday documents from your phone—from anywhere. Get advanced features with HP+ in the Smart app including mobile fax and advanced scanning features such as multi-item recognition.
  • 3 MONTHS OF INSTANT INK INCLUDED WITH HP+ – Print up to 700 pages a month and get ink delivered only when you need it. After 3 months, monthly fee applies unless cancelled, and you'll save up to 50% on ink.
  • This printer is intended to work only with cartridges with original HP chips or circuitry and will block cartridges using non-HP chips or circuitry. Periodic firmware updates will maintain the effectiveness of these measures.
5
HP DeskJet 4133e All-in-One Printer with Bonus 6 Months of Instant Ink,White

Rating is 4.6 out of 5

HP DeskJet 4133e All-in-One Printer with Bonus 6 Months of Instant Ink,White

  • FROM AMERICA'S MOST TRUSTED PRINTER BRAND – Best for home printing, including basic color documents like recipes, forms and travel documents. Print speeds up to 8.5 pages per minute in black or 5.5 pages per minute in color.
  • KEY FEATURES – Print, copy and scan in color, auto document feeder, mobile fax, mobile and wireless printing
  • INCLUDES FREE HP+ SMART FEATURES – Upgrade free to HP+ during setup to get advanced features for mobile printing, security, automatic updates and more. HP+ only works with an HP account, internet connection and Original HP Ink for the life of the printer
  • CONNECTIVITY – Dual-band Wi-Fi with self-reset automatically detects and resolves connectivity issues. Also includes USB 2.0 port.
  • HP SMART APP – Simple, step-by-step guided setup. Print, scan, and copy everyday documents from your phone—from anywhere. Get advanced features with HP+ in the Smart app including mobile fax and advanced scanning features such as multi-item recognition
  • 3 MONTHS OF INSTANT INK INCLUDED WITH HP+ – Print up to 700 pages a month and get ink delivered only when you need it. After 3 months, monthly fee applies unless cancelled, and you'll save up to 50% on ink.
  • This printer is intended to work only with cartridges with original HP chips or circuitry and will block cartridges using non-HP chips or circuitry. Periodic firmware updates will maintain the effectiveness of these measures. More at hp.com/learn/ds.
6
HP OfficeJet Pro 8025e Wireless Color All-in-One Printer with bonus 6 free months Instant Ink with HP+ (1K7K3A), Gray

Rating is 4.5 out of 5

HP OfficeJet Pro 8025e Wireless Color All-in-One Printer with bonus 6 free months Instant Ink with HP+ (1K7K3A), Gray

  • Sold as 1 Each.
  • KEY FEATURES: Fast color print, copy, scan, fax, two-sided printing, mobile and wireless printing, and an automatic document feeder.
  • NEVER RUN OUT OF INK : Enroll in Print Plans built on Instant Ink to get ink
  • GET UP TO $150 OF ADDED VALUE WITH HP+: With 6 months of ink delivered by Print Plans built on Instant Ink, an extended 2-year HP warranty, and advanced HP Smart app features . Choose HP+ at printer setup to activate benefits. HP+ requires an HP account, connection to the internet, and exclusive use of Original HP ink cartridges to operate.
  • Print up to 700 pages a month free when you activate your trial of Print Plans built on Instant Ink. After 6 months, continue with Print Plans or purchase Original HP 910 ink cartridges. Cancel or change any time.
7
Canon MegaTank G3270 All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer. for Home Use, Print, Scan and Copy, Black

Rating is 4.4 out of 5

Canon MegaTank G3270 All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer. for Home Use, Print, Scan and Copy, Black

  • Wireless 3-in-1: Print | Copy | Scan
  • Integrated Ink Tanks - Up to 6,000 pages BW / 7,700 pages Color included!
  • Black 11 ipm / Color 6 ipm
  • 100-Sheet Rear Tray
  • Single-sided Printing
  • Print from your favorite mobile devices using the free Canon PRINT app, Apple AirPrint and Mopria Print Service
  • Intuitive, Easy to Use 1.35” Square LCD Screen
  • “Keyed Nozzle” Design Only Fits and Fills the Correct Color Ink Tank
  • ENERGY STAR, EPEAT Silver
  • Peace of Mind With 1-Year Limited Warranty
8
Canon PIXMA TR8620a - All-in-One Printer Home Office|Copier|Scanner|Fax|Auto Document Feeder | Photo, Document | Airprint (R), Android, Black, Works with Alexa

Rating is 4.3 out of 5

Canon PIXMA TR8620a - All-in-One Printer Home Office|Copier|Scanner|Fax|Auto Document Feeder | Photo, Document | Airprint (R), Android, Black, Works with Alexa

  • Never run out of ink. Connect your printer to Alexa and receive notifications when you’re running low. Alexa can even place a smart reorder from Amazon on your behalf, if you enroll in smart reorders
  • Enrolling in Smart Reorders with Alexa ensures that you never have too much or too little ink supplies. No subscription needed.
  • Wireless 4-in-1 (Print | Copy | Scan | Fax)
  • 15 / 10 ipm Print Speed
  • 200 Sheet Capacity (100 Cassette, 100 Rear Feed)
  • Auto 2-Sided Printing
  • 1,000 Page Duty Cycle
  • Micro SD Slot,ENERGY STAR, EPEAT Silver
  • 1 Year Warranty
  • Print with your voice. Just say “Alexa, discover my printer"


How to check if the printer and computer are connected to the same network?

To check if the printer and computer are connected to the same network, you can follow these steps:

  1. Ensure that both your printer and computer are turned on and connected to the network.
  2. On your computer, go to the Control Panel (or Settings) and open the "Devices and Printers" (or "Printers & Scanners") option.
  3. Look for the printer in the list of available printers. If the printer is listed, it means that it is connected to the same network as your computer. If the printer is not listed, there are a few things you can try: Make sure the printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer. You may need to check the printer's Wi-Fi settings or consult the printer's documentation for instructions on connecting it to your network. Restart both the printer and computer to refresh the network connection. If the printer is connected via a USB cable to the computer, it is not dependent on network connectivity and should be visible in the list.
  4. Alternatively, you can try printing a test page or document to the printer: Open a document or file that you want to print. Click on "File" and select "Print" or use the keyboard shortcut (e.g., Ctrl+P). In the print settings, choose the printer that you want to use. Click "Print" and check if the printer responds and starts printing. If the printer successfully prints the document, it is connected to the same network as your computer. If it does not print or fails to connect, verify the network connections or consult the printer's manual or manufacturer's support.


Please note that the steps may vary slightly depending on your operating system and printer model.


What is the correct way to set up a wireless printer?

To set up a wireless printer, follow these steps:

  1. Place the printer within range of your wireless network. Make sure it is close enough to receive a strong signal.
  2. Connect the printer to a power source and turn it on.
  3. On your computer or mobile device, go to the network settings and locate your wireless network. Connect to the same Wi-Fi network that your printer will be connected to.
  4. Install the printer drivers on your computer. Most printers come with a CD that contains the necessary drivers. If you don't have a CD drive, you can usually download the drivers from the printer manufacturer's website.
  5. Open the printer's setup or control panel. Look for a wireless setup or network setup option. Select it and follow the on-screen prompts to connect the printer to your Wi-Fi network. You may need to enter your Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password.
  6. Once the printer is connected to the network, your computer should automatically detect it. Go to your computer's settings or control panel, find the printers section, and add the newly connected printer.
  7. Test the printer by printing a test page or document to ensure it is working properly.


Note: The exact steps may vary slightly depending on the printer model and operating system you are using. It's recommended to refer to the printer's instruction manual or the manufacturer's website for precise instructions specific to your printer.


What are some common error messages related to wireless printer connectivity issues?

Some common error messages related to wireless printer connectivity issues include:

  1. "Printer not found": This error message indicates that the printer could not be detected or is not available on the network.
  2. "Connection failed" or "Unable to connect to the printer": This message suggests that there is a problem establishing a connection between the computer or device and the printer.
  3. "Offline printer": This error message occurs when the printer is not set as the default printer or is disconnected from the network.
  4. "Printer not responding": This message implies that the printer is not responding to the computer's commands or requests.
  5. "Network or wireless connection lost": This error message occurs when the network connection between the printer and computer is lost, hindering communication.
  6. "Authentication failed" or "Incorrect password": This error message indicates that the entered password for the wireless network is either incorrect or does not match the printer's settings.
  7. "IP address conflict": This message suggests that there is an IP address conflict between the printer and another device on the network, resulting in connection issues.
  8. "Out of range" or "Signal too weak": This error message implies that the wireless signal strength between the printer and the router is too weak for a stable connection.
  9. "Firewall or security settings blocking printer": This message occurs when the printer's communication is being blocked by the firewall or security settings on the computer or device.
  10. "Driver not installed or outdated": This error message suggests that the printer driver is not installed correctly or is outdated, resulting in connectivity problems.


What are the troubleshooting steps for wireless printer connectivity on a Windows PC?

  1. Check Wi-Fi Connectivity: Ensure that your PC is connected to the Wi-Fi network correctly. Verify that the router is working properly, and no connectivity issues exist.
  2. Restart Printer and PC: Turn off the printer and your PC. Then, turn them back on after a few seconds. Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve connectivity problems.
  3. Verify Printer Settings: Make sure your printer is in the wireless setup mode and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your PC. Refer to the printer's manual for guidance or use the printer's control panel to check the wireless settings.
  4. Check Printer Driver: Ensure that the printer driver is installed and up to date on your Windows PC. Visit the printer manufacturer's website to download the latest driver if needed.
  5. Restart Print Spooler Service: The Print Spooler service manages print jobs and can sometimes cause connectivity issues. Restart it by opening the Run dialog (Win + R), typing "services.msc," finding the Print Spooler service, right-clicking on it, and selecting "Restart."
  6. Disable Firewall/Antivirus: Temporarily disable any installed firewall or antivirus software on your PC to determine if they are causing the connectivity problem. If disabling the software resolves the issue, configure it to permit printer communication.
  7. Remove and Re-add Printer: Open the "Settings" app on your Windows PC, go to "Devices" -> "Printers & scanners," select the wireless printer, and click on "Remove device." Then, add the printer back by clicking on "Add a printer or scanner" and follow the on-screen instructions.
  8. Update Windows: Ensure that your Windows operating system is up to date. Go to "Settings" -> "Update & Security" -> "Windows Update" and click on "Check for updates." Install any pending updates and restart your PC.
  9. Temporarily Connect via USB: If all else fails, try connecting the printer to your PC using a USB cable. This can help troubleshoot if the issue lies with the wireless connection itself.
  10. Contact Support: If the problem persists, contact the printer manufacturer's support or consult their online support forums for further assistance specific to your printer model and Windows version.
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