Fix: Wireless Printer Unresponsive on Windows 11/10

Wireless printers can go unresponsive due to many reasons. Incorrect configuration and outdated drivers are prominent causes of this issue. Before we dig deep into the solutions on how to fix your unresponsive wireless Printer, we’ll look at things that might be causing you to face this inconvenience.

What Causes Wireless printer to go unresponsive

There are multiple things at play that might be causing your wireless Printer to go unresponsive; here is a list of possible causes of the matter at hand:

• Unstable Printer Drivers- It is possible that the drivers installed on our computer that deals with printers are either outdated or the installation is not functional due to a corrupt installation.
• False Router Configuration- A common issue encountered is faulty router configuration. We might face this inconvenience due to a false SSID or an incorrect configuration setup. 
• VPN- If a VPN is active on your computer, it can cause you not to reach your Printer since a VPN assigns your laptop a virtual IP address unknown to the Printer.

1. Windows Printer Troubleshooter

Windows 10 & 11 come equipped with a printer troubleshooter out of the box. It can help the users resolve basic errors. Follow these steps to utilize the windows printer troubleshooter.

1.1 Printer Troubleshooter on Windows 11

To utilize the printer troubleshooter on windows 11, follow these straightforward steps:

1. Press the Windows key to open the start menu and click on Settings, or Press the Windows + I keys simultaneously.

   

2. In the system settings tab, scroll down and click on Troubleshoot.
   

   

3. Click on Other Troubleshoots.
   
4. Click on the Run button located inside the printer box.

   

5. Please wait for a while until it finishes processing.

Once the processing finishes, Restart your Computer and try using the Printer. If the issue presumes, continue to the next step.

1.2 Printer Troubleshooter on Windows 10

To utilize the printer troubleshooter on windows 10, follow these straightforward steps:

1. Press the Windows key to open the start menu, and in the search box, type Troubleshoot settings.
   

   

2. Click on Additional troubleshooters.
   

   

3. Click on the Printers section.
4. Click on the Run Troubleshooter button.

   

5. Please wait a while until it finishes up with the processing

Once the processing has finished, Restart your computer and use the Printer. If the issue persists, continue to the next step.

2. Disable VPN

Your router assigns an IP address to every connected device on the network. A VPN or a virtual private network establishes a connection to far-off servers. It gives you a Virtual IP address which may make you not access wireless devices on your local router connection. Follow these steps to disable your VPN:

1. On the taskbar, click on the Show Hidden icons arrow.

   

2. Right-Click on your VPN icon
3. Click on Exit.

   

Once your VPN has been disabled, try using your Printer once again. If the issue presumes, continue to the next step.

3. Execute a Power cycle

Powercycle is the process of physically turning a piece of electronic device on and off. Executing the power cycle will reset the networking components’ cache, which might help resolve our issue. Follow these steps to execute a power cycle:

1. Turn your Printer OFF by holding down the power button.
2. Once turned off, Unplug all cables connected to it.
3. Wait for 30 seconds.
4. Replug all the cables and turn your Printer back on.

This might resolve the issue as users have stated positive outcomes by doing this. If it doesn’t, and the problem continues, continue to the next step.

4. Set default printer

It is a pretty obvious one, but if you haven’t yet set your Printer as a default, it might be causing your Printer to be unresponsive. 

4.1 Set default printer on Windows 11 

To set the Printer as default on windows 11, follow these straightforward steps:

1. Press the Windows key to open the start menu, and in the search box, type Control Panel.
   

   

2. Click on Hardware & Sound. 
   

   

3. Click on Device & Printers.
   

   

4. Right-Click on your Printer and click on Set as Default Printer.

   

Once done, try using your Printer; if the issue presumes, continue to the next step.

4.2 Set default printer on windows 10 

To set a printer as default on windows 10, follow these straightforward steps:

1. Press the Windows key to open the start menu, and in the search box, type Printers & Scanners.
   
2. Click on Printers & Scanners to open it. 
3. Click on the Printer you want to set as a default.
4. Click on Manage.

   

5. Click on Set as Default.
   

   

Once done, try using your Printer; if the issue presumes, continue to the next step.

5. False Router Configuration

By False Router Configuration, we mean that the issue might be due to a mismatch of information between the Printer and the router that enables it to operate wirelessly. Follow these steps to identify if your Printer is misconfigured:

5.1 Incorrect SSID

A mismatch of WiFi SSID could cause confusion between both the devices, ultimately resulting in failed smooth processing; follow these steps to cure this hurdle:

1. On your wireless Printer, head to the WLAN or LAN settings.
2. Tap on Advanced Setup.
3. Tap on your Routers SSID.
4. Input your Router Password.
5. Once Connected, head on to your desktop and press the Windows key.
6. In the Windows Start Menu search bar, Search for Printers and scanners and open it.
7. Click on  Add printers & scanners and wait for a while.

   

   Once the Connection is secured, try putting your Printer to use. If the error persists, continue to the next step.

5.2 Assign a static IP address

In some cases, using a static IP address has helped users solve this problem. To assign a static IP address to your Printer, follow these steps:

1. On your Printer, navigate to Settings and tap on Interface Setup.
2. Now, Tap on TCP/IP and change the mode to manual in the IPv4 settings menu. Doing this will allow you to establish a connection to your computer manually.
3. Now, Tap on the IPv4 settings and click on the IP address.
4. Change the previously entered IP address to something different. For instance, change 192.168.10.11 to 192.168.10.10 and Apply the settings.
5. Now, press the Windows key on your computer and open Control Panel in the windows search box.
6. Click on View Device and printers and right-click on your Printer.

   

7. Click on Printer Properties.
   

   

8. Click on Ports, locate your Printer’s model in the list and click on Configure. 
   

   

9. Change the previously entered IP address to the one you set on your Printer, i.e., 192.168.10.10

   

10. Click Ok.

Once done, Restart your computer and try using your computer. If the error persists, continue to the next step.

6. Reset Print Spooler

A print spooler is a temporary storage where the computer saves data for a short period before sending it to the Printer. If this folder contains unusual data for some reason, it may intervene and make your Printer unresponsive. Follow these steps to reset and clear the print spooler:

1. Press the Windows key to open the start menu, and in the search box, type Command Prompt and run it as an administrator.
2. Paste the following command to stop the Print spooler service.

   net stop spooler

3. Now, Press the Windows key to open the start menu again, and in the search box, paste the below-given path.

    %WINDIR%\system32\spool\printers

   

4. Press the Ctrl + A keys to select all the data inside the folder.
5. Right-Click and click on delete or press the Delete key located on your keyboard.
6. Once deleted, Open Command Prompt as an administrator and paste the following command.

   net start spooler

Once done, Try using your Printer once again. If the issue is still not resolved, continue to the next step.

7. Uninstall and Reinstall Printer Drivers 

You might be facing this error due to the unstable installation of drivers on your computer; installing new and updated printer drivers can be easily dealt with. 

7.1 Uninstall existing Printer Drivers

Before installing the new printer driver, we’ll uninstall the existing ones for a clean installation; follow these steps along to uninstall existing printer drivers

1. Right-click on the windows icon and click to open the Device manager
   

   

2. Scroll down and locate the Printer and click on the arrow.
3. Right-Click on the file with your Printer make and model name, i.e., HP Deskjet 3600

   

4. Click on Uninstall.

7.2 Install the Latest Printer Drivers

To Download and install the latest driver for your Printer, follow these steps:

1. Visit the Support Center of the manufacturer of your Printer. We have listed a few links that lead you to renowned printer manufacturers down below:
   Click here if you are an HP printer user
   Click here if you are a DELL printer user
   Click here if you are a Canon printer user
   If you can not find your manufacturer’s name here, you can go to your manufactures website and download the drivers from there.
2. Type in your Printer’s model, i.e., HP Deskjet 3600, and click on the submit.
   

   

3. Click on Install and proceed with the straightforward installation process.

   

Once installed, Restart your computer to finalize the installation process and try using yoPrinterter.