Fix Printer sharing not working on Windows 11
Fix Printer sharing not working on Windows 11
Fix Printer sharing not working on Windows 11
If you’re experiencing issues with printer sharing on Windows 11, you’re not alone. Many users have reported problems with sharing their printers, whether it’s between computers or with other devices on the same network. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue and get your printer sharing up and running again.
Here are some common solutions to fix printer sharing not working on Windows 11:
Check Network Discovery Settings
The first thing to do is to make sure that Network Discovery is enabled on all the devices that you want to share printers with. To do this, open the Settings app on your Windows 11 PC and navigate to Network & Internet > Wi-Fi or Ethernet (depending on your connection type) > Advanced Options. Scroll down to the section called “Make this PC discoverable” and make sure that the toggle switch is set to “On”. Repeat this step on all the devices that you want to share printers with.
Check Printer Sharing Settings
Make sure that printer sharing is enabled on the computer that has the printer connected. To do this, go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners and click on the printer that you want to share. Scroll down to the “Printer properties” section and click on the “Sharing” tab. Make sure that the “Share this printer” option is selected and that a name has been assigned to the shared printer.
Restart Devices and Printer
Sometimes, simply restarting your devices can solve printer sharing issues. Turn off all the devices that are involved in printer sharing, including the printer itself, and then turn them back on again. Try printing a test page from the computer that is sharing the printer to see if the issue has been resolved.
Check Firewall Settings
If your devices have a firewall enabled, it could be blocking printer sharing. To check the firewall settings on your Windows 11 PC, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Firewall & network protection. Make sure that the firewall is not blocking printer sharing by adding an exception for the printer port (usually port 9100 or 515). You can also try disabling the firewall temporarily to see if this resolves the issue.
Update Printer Drivers
If your printer drivers are outdated or incompatible with Windows 11, it can cause printer sharing issues. Make sure that you have the latest drivers installed for your printer by visiting the manufacturer’s website and downloading the latest version. You can also try uninstalling and reinstalling the printer drivers on all the devices involved in printer sharing.
Reset Printer Spooler Service
The Printer Spooler Service is responsible for managing print jobs and can sometimes cause printer sharing issues if it becomes corrupted. To reset the Printer Spooler Service, open the Command Prompt as an administrator and enter the following commands:
net stop spooler
del %systemroot%\System32\spool\printers* /Q /F
net start spooler
This will stop the spooler service, delete any queued print jobs, and restart the spooler service.
Use HomeGroup
Windows 11 no longer supports HomeGroup, but it may still be available on some devices that have been upgraded from older versions of Windows. If you have HomeGroup enabled, it can be used to share printers between devices on the same network. To use HomeGroup, go to Settings > Network & Internet > HomeGroup and follow the prompts to set up a HomeGroup network.
In conclusion, printer sharing not working on Windows 11 can be frustrating, but there are several solutions to try. By following these steps, you can troubleshoot the issue and get your printer sharing up and running again. If you continue to experience issues, you may need to seek further assistance from a qualified technician. 0 0 0.
Fix Printer sharing not working on Windows 11
