Computer can’t find your printer? How to get it detected

Updated October 21, 20262 min readWritten by the HelpMeFixPrinter support team

You click “Add printer”, wait, and nothing shows up. That means your computer can’t see the printer on the network or the USB port. The good news: you can almost always add it manually even when automatic search fails.

Quick answer

Make sure the printer and computer are on the same Wi-Fi network (no VPN, no guest network), set your Windows network to Private, then add the printer by its IP address instead of waiting for it to appear.

Why this happens

The computer and printer are on different networks (guest Wi-Fi, an extender, or a VPN).
Windows is set to a Public network, which hides devices.
Firewall or security software blocks printer discovery.
For USB: a charge-only cable, a faulty hub, or the cable plugged in too early during setup.

Check you’re on the same network

Print the printer’s network configuration page and note the network name (SSID) and IP address.
On your computer, check which Wi-Fi network you’re connected to. It must be the same one.
Turn off any VPN while you set up the printer.
If you use an extender or mesh, make sure both devices are on the main network name.

Windows 11

Set the network to Private: Settings › Network & internet › Wi-Fi › click your network’s properties › Network profile type: Private.
Go to Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners and click Add device.
If the printer doesn’t appear, click Add manually (or “The printer that I want isn’t listed”).
Choose Add a printer using an IP address or hostname, type the IP address from the network page and click Next.
Pick your printer’s brand and model (or click Have Disk / Windows Update to load more), then finish and print a test page.

Windows 10

Set the network to Private: Settings › Network & Internet › Wi-Fi, click your network and choose Private.
Go to Settings › Devices › Printers & scanners › Add a printer or scanner.
If it isn’t found, click The printer that I want isn’t listed and add it by TCP/IP address or hostname.

Mac

Open System Settings › Printers & Scanners › Add Printer, Scanner or Fax…
If the printer isn’t in the list, click the IP tab (globe icon).
Type the printer’s IP address, choose IPP (Internet Printing Protocol), and under Use select AirPrint or your printer model.
Click Add and print a test page.

If it’s a USB printer

Use a proper USB printer cable (data cable), plugged directly into the computer — not a hub or keyboard port.
Some installers ask you to connect the cable only when prompted. If you plugged it in early, unplug it, run the installer again, and connect when it asks.
Try a different USB port, and on Windows check Device Manager for an unknown device with a warning icon.

Brand-specific tips

HP

HP Smart can find printers Windows doesn’t. On Windows, HP Print and Scan Doctor also checks the connection. More HP help

Canon

Canon’s IJ Network Device Setup Utility lists Canon printers on your network along with their IP addresses. More Canon help

Epson

Epson’s installer includes a search step and an option to enter the IP address manually. More Epson help

Brother

Brother’s installer can search by IP address; the printer’s IP is on its Network Configuration report. More Brother help

Still stuck? Talk to a printer technician.

Call for a free diagnosis. If it needs a paid fix, you’ll get a flat price before we start — and if we can’t fix it, you don’t pay.

Call 1-866-656-6696

Open 24 hours, 7 days a week · Prices from $39 · See all prices · Independent service, not HP, Canon, Epson, Brother, Microsoft or Apple.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I find my printer’s IP address?

Print a network configuration (or Wi-Fi status) report from the printer’s menu, look in the printer’s app, or check the list of connected devices in your router’s app.

Do I need to be on the same Wi-Fi network?

Yes. For normal printing over Wi-Fi, your computer and printer must be on the same local network.