How to Solve Your Wireless Printer Problems

How to Fix the Problem

Following these steps should resolve the problem, but if the issues persist, consider calling the manufacturer's helpline.

Try connecting to the printer with a cable. This allows you to see whether the WiFi signal is the issue. If your printer works via a USB cable, then you know you need to move it.

Find a new spot for the printer. Ideally, one that's not too far from the router. Though the WiFi signals that deliver data to our devices may be invisible, you'll find that the impediments to those signals are often in plain view. "There are so many things inside a house that can affect WiFi," says Duffett. "From refrigerators to materials used in the construction of your house to pipes and even large fish tanks."

If the printer is under a desk or inside a closet, move it. If it sits in a room with a thick wooden door, open that door before you try to print. That’s one less barrier to impede the signal.

Check the printer queue. A print job with an error may be holding up the line, in which case, you simply need to cancel it. A large document can also take longer than expected to download and process. Sulin says, for example, that a file can require more time to travel to a printer from a phone than from a computer.

Reboot the printer. If you've owned any piece of technology in the last 20 years, you know the drill. Unplug the device, wait a minute, and plug it back in. Often that's enough to fix the problem.

Make sure the firmware is up-to-date. Manufacturers roll out updates to address bugs, vulnerabilities, and other issues—including connectivity problems. "In some cases, we've seen updates to routers and computers disrupt connections to printers," adds Sulin. "So moving from Windows 8 to 10 could have created an interruption to your connection. And a firmware update may solve that."

Confirm that your mobile device is on the right network. This is particularly important in homes with WiFi Range Extenders. If the extender creates two networks, your printer may be on one and the laptop on another, making connection impossible. In that case, log on to the right network or move the printer closer to the primary router.

Reset the printer. This is your "nuclear option." If all else fails, it will clear every setting, including your WiFi login info, so you can re-establish the connection. The directions for performing a factory reset vary by brand and model. If the printer has a liquid crystal display, the command is found in the printer's settings menu. On some HP models, you have to power down the printer, unplug it for 30 seconds, and turn it back on while holding the Resume button for 10 to 20 seconds. In other words, you may have to look online or consult the owner's manual for step-by-step instructions.

If you still can’t fix the issue or you get any problem that you can’t deal with yourself, 

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