Is your printer missing from your device list, even though it’s properly connected? Whether you’ve recently updated Windows or changed user accounts, it’s common for printers to disappear. Don’t worry — restoring visibility is easy with just a few simple steps!
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to get your printer visible again on Windows 10 and Windows 11, and show you how to share it with additional user accounts without needing to reinstall drivers.
🔒 Disclaimer
This guide is provided for informational purposes only. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by any specific printer brand or software provider. We do not provide driver downloads, branded services, or technical interventions. Please visit your printer’s official website for the latest model-specific guidance.
Why Your Printer Might Not Appear
There are several reasons why a printer might disappear from your device list:
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User-Specific Installation: Some printers are linked to the user account that installed them and won’t show up for other users by default.
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Windows Updates: Sometimes, system updates reset printer settings or remove device visibility.
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Temporary Glitches: Minor software issues can prevent devices from appearing correctly.
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Network Changes: If your printer’s IP address changes, it might not be automatically detected.
Fortunately, in most cases, the core printer drivers remain installed on your system, making it easy to reconnect or re-add your printer.
🔌 Scenario 1: Re-Adding a USB Printer
If your USB printer is no longer showing up under “Printers & Scanners”:
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Check the Connection: Ensure the USB cable is securely plugged in and the printer is powered on.
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Go to Settings: Open Start > Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & Scanners.
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Click “Add Device”: Your printer should appear. Click to add it to your system.
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Print a Test Page: After adding the printer, click Manage and choose Print a test page to verify it’s working.
📡 Scenario 2: Re-Adding a Network or Wi-Fi Printer
If your Wi-Fi printer is not appearing:
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Confirm Network Status: Make sure the printer’s Wi-Fi connection is active.
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Open Printer Settings: Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & Scanners.
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Click “Add Device”: If the printer appears, select it to add.
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Run a Test Print: Print a test page to confirm everything is set up properly.
👥 Scenario 3: Making a Printer Available to Another User Account
If your printer works for one user but not another on the same computer:
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Switch Accounts: Log into the user account that needs printer access.
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Add Device: Go to Settings > Printers & Scanners > Add Device.
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Automatic Detection: Windows should automatically find the printer (whether it’s USB or network).
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Click “Add” and Print: Once added, click Print a test page to ensure proper functionality.
🛠️ What to Do If Your Printer Still Doesn’t Appear
If your printer doesn’t show up automatically, follow these steps:
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In the Add a Printer or Scanner window, click “The printer that I want isn’t listed.”
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Choose a manual method:
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Local Printer: For USB printers, select Add a local printer and choose the appropriate port (e.g., USB001).
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Network Printer: For network printers, select Add a printer using a TCP/IP address, and input the printer’s IP address.
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Bluetooth Printer: If applicable, select Add a Bluetooth or wireless printer.
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Select Drivers: Choose your printer’s brand and model from the list. If it’s missing, click “Windows Update” or use “Have Disk…” if you’ve downloaded drivers.
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Complete the Process: Name your printer and click Next to finish.
🔚 Final Thoughts
While it’s frustrating when a printer doesn’t appear as expected, you don’t need to start from scratch to resolve the issue. Whether you’re reconnecting a USB printer, adding a network printer, or making it accessible across multiple user accounts, Windows provides built-in tools to address these issues quickly and effectively.
For detailed model instructions or software updates, always consult your printer’s official website.