Encountering issues with your printer can disrupt your workflow and cause unnecessary frustration. Whether your printer is unresponsive, producing errors, or simply not printing correctly, reinstalling it can often resolve these problems. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to completely uninstall and then reinstall your printer, ensuring a fresh start and potentially fixing underlying software glitches.
Removing Your Printer
Before you can reinstall your printer, it’s crucial to properly remove the existing installation from your system. This ensures that any corrupted files or settings are cleared out, paving the way for a clean and successful reinstallation.
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Start by clicking the Start button, typically located in the bottom left corner of your screen. Then, navigate to Settings by clicking the gear icon.
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In the Windows Settings menu, select Devices or Bluetooth & devices, depending on your Windows version.
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On the left-hand sidebar, click on Printers & scanners. This will display a list of all printers currently installed on your computer.
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Locate the printer you wish to uninstall from the list. Click on the printer to select it.
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Once selected, you will see options related to the printer. Click the Remove button.
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A confirmation prompt will appear asking if you are sure you want to remove the device. Confirm your decision by clicking Yes. This will uninstall the printer from your system.
Reinstalling Your Printer: Automatic Detection
After successfully removing your printer, you can proceed with the reinstallation. Windows is generally adept at automatically detecting and installing printers, especially if your printer is connected to the network and powered on.
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Return to the Printers & scanners settings page by following steps 1-3 from the “Removing Your Printer” section.
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Ensure your printer is turned on and properly connected to your network, either via Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable.
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Click the Add device button, or Add printer or scanner depending on your Windows version. In some cases, you might see a Refresh button if Windows has recently scanned for printers.
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Windows will now begin searching for available printers on your network and locally connected devices. This process may take a few moments.
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Once the scan is complete, Windows will display a list of detected printers. If your printer appears in the list, simply click on it and then click the Add device button associated with your printer.
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Windows will then automatically install the necessary drivers and configure your printer for use. Follow any on-screen prompts that may appear to complete the installation process.
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If your printer is not automatically detected, or if you prefer a manual installation, click on the Add manually option. This will lead you to the manual installation steps outlined in the next section.
Note: If you are using a wireless network with multiple access points, extenders, or routers with separate SSIDs, ensure that both your computer and printer are connected to the same network for successful detection and installation. For new wireless printers, refer to the printer’s instruction manual and the manufacturer’s website for specific setup instructions and the latest software.
Tip: After reinstalling your printer, it’s a good practice to print a test page to confirm that it’s functioning correctly. If you encounter issues even after reinstalling, check the printer manufacturer’s website for troubleshooting information and driver updates. This is also a good time to consider if you need to reinstall your scanner drivers if you are experiencing scanning problems, as sometimes printer driver issues can affect integrated scanner functionalities.
Manual Reinstallation of Your Printer
In situations where automatic printer installation fails, or you need more control over the process, manual reinstallation is a viable option. When you choose Add manually, you will be presented with several options to locate and install your printer.
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After clicking Add manually, you will see the “Find a printer by other options” window. Select the option that best describes your printer setup.
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For a local printer or a network printer with specific settings, the most common choice is Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings. Select this option and click Next.
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You will be prompted to choose a printer port. If you are using a USB connection, select Use an existing port and choose the appropriate USB port from the dropdown list. Ports for parallel (LPT) and serial (COM) connections are also available. Click Next.
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Now you will be asked to install the printer driver. If you have a driver disc provided with your printer, click Have Disk. Otherwise, click Windows Update to refresh the printer list with the latest drivers.
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Allow Windows to update the printer list. Once updated, select the manufacturer of your printer from the left-hand column and then choose your specific printer model from the right-hand column. Click Next.
Note: If multiple driver versions are available, you might be asked which driver to use. In most cases, it’s recommended to select Replace the current driver. However, if you are certain that the currently installed driver is correct, you can choose Use the driver that is currently installed.
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You will be asked to type a name for your printer. This name is for your personal reference and will be displayed in your printers list. Enter a name and click Next.
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Choose whether you want to share your printer on the network. Select Do not share this printer if you intend to use it only with your current computer. If you want to share it with other devices on your network, select Share this printer and provide a share name and location. Click Next.
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To confirm successful installation, click Print a test page. If the test page prints correctly, click Finish to complete the manual printer reinstallation process.
By following these steps, you should be able to successfully reinstall your printer and resolve any issues you were experiencing. Remember to always check the manufacturer’s website for the latest drivers and troubleshooting guides if problems persist. And while focusing on printers, keep in mind that similar steps might apply if you need to reinstall a scanner, especially if it’s a standalone scanner or part of an all-in-one device.
