The situation when The printer is disconnected even though it's on Windows 10 Wi-Fi. A device that displays a "disconnected" status is one of the most common and annoying problems for home network users. You see the device in the list, its readiness indicators are lit, but the operating system stubbornly refuses to print documents. This often occurs after a system update, a power surge, or scheduled router maintenance.
The reason lies in the desynchronization between the network protocol WiFi and the print spooler service WindowsThe computer has simply "lost" the exact address of the device on the local network or stopped correctly processing its readiness signals. Don't rush to reinstall drivers or reset the router to factory settings—in 90% of cases, the problem can be resolved by adjusting the port settings or restarting system services.
In this guide, we'll walk you through a process ranging from simple checks to advanced network protocol configuration. You'll learn how to diagnose connection failures and forcefully restore connections without using complex utilities. The key is to follow the steps in sequence, as ignoring the order of the steps can lead to duplicate devices in the system.
Diagnostics of physical condition and network availability
Before delving into the settings Windows, you need to make sure the problem is truly software-related and not hardware-related. The "Disconnected" status in the print queue is often misleading if the printer itself has lost connection to the router. Check the indicators. WiFi on the device body: they should be lit steadily or flash slowly, indicating a stable connection.
- 📶 Make sure that the printer and computer are on the same subnet (the first three digits of the IP address are the same).
- 🔌 Check if the power cable or antenna (if removable) of the MFP has come loose.
- 🔄 Restart your router and printer by unplugging them from the power outlet for 30 seconds.
Sometimes The printer is turned off even though it is turned on. This could be due to the device entering deep power saving mode and not waking up in time for the print request. Try pressing the "Start" or "Copy" button on the device itself to activate the network module. If after this the status is Windows changes to "Ready", which means there is a problem with the power management settings of the USB adapter or the printer's network module itself.
⚠️ Attention: If you are using a guest network WiFi On your router, make sure that AP Isolation isn't disabled in your router settings. In this mode, computers won't see printers, even if they're connected to the same access point.
It's also important to check if the device's IP address has changed. Routers often assign addresses dynamically, and after a reboot, the printer may have received a new one. IP, while the computer continues to tap the old one. To check, open the command prompt and enter ping [printer IP address]If packets are flowing, there's a physical connection; we're looking for a software error.
Managing the print queue and device status
The fastest way to get your device back online is to manually manage the queue. Often the printer is disconnected simply because someone accidentally activated this option in the context menu, and the system remembered the state. Click Win + R, enter control printers and find your device.
Right-click the icon and select "View Print Queue." In the window that opens, go to the "Printer" menu and make sure "Work Offline" is unchecked. If it is, the system is simulating printing but isn't sending data to the network. Also, check the "Pause Printing" option—it blocks jobs from being sent.
If the checkboxes are unchecked but the problem persists, try clearing the queue. Accumulated errors in the task list can block the entire process. Select all documents and click "Cancel." After clearing, try sending a test page again. Sometimes removing the device from the list and re-adding it using the "Add Printer" button helps.
⚠️ Attention: Don't completely uninstall the drivers through Control Panel right away. First, try simply removing the device from the Devices and Printers list, leaving the software installed to avoid version conflicts during reinstallation.
Configuring TCP/IP ports and SNMP protocol
The most technically accurate solution to the problem when The printer is disconnected even though it's on Windows 10 Wi-Fi., is hidden in the port settings. Windows uses the protocol SNMP to query the device's status. If the router blocks this request or the printer responds slowly, the system incorrectly marks the device as unavailable.
To correct the situation, open the printer properties (via control printers -> "Printer Properties" or "Print Server Properties"). Go to the "Ports" tab. Find the port with the type in the list Standard TCP/IP Portcorresponding to your device's IP address, and click "Configure Port." In the window that opens, uncheck "Enable SNMP Status."
| Parameter | Default value | Recommended value | Influence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protocol | TCP/IP | TCP/IP | Basic transmission standard |
| SNMP Status | Included | Off | Removes false outage reports |
| WSD Port | Often used | Standard TCP/IP | Increases connection stability |
| Bidirectional | Included | Included | Necessary for ink monitoring |
After disabling SNMP, the status should change to "Ready" almost instantly. If you have the type specified in the port list WSD (Web Services for Devices), it is highly recommended to create a new port of the type Standard TCP/IP with a fixed IP address. The WSD protocol often causes network instability. WiFi due to the peculiarities of multicasting.
Working with the Windows Print Spooler Service
Service Spooler is responsible for managing all printing tasks. If it freezes or works incorrectly, no printer connected via WiFi or USB, will not respond. Checking this service is a mandatory step in diagnostics.
Click Win + R, enter services.msc Find "Print Spooler" in the list. Double-click it. Make sure the startup type is set to "Automatic" and the service is running. If it's stopped, click "Start." If it's already running, click "Restart."
☑️ What to do if the print service fails
In some cases, you may need to clear temporary print files. While the service is stopped, follow the path C:\Windows\System32\spool\PRINTERS and delete everything in the folder. Then restart the service. This action clears any stuck jobs and often brings the printer back online.
Updating and reinstalling drivers
Outdated or corrupted drivers are a common reason why the printer is disconnected. Windows 10 often automatically installs generic drivers that may not work correctly with specific models WiFi printers. Visit the manufacturer's official website (HP, Canon, Epson, Brother) and download the latest driver for your model.
During installation, select the "Installation Wizard" or "Advanced Setup" option to manually specify the device's IP address if the automatic search fails. Removing the old driver via Device Manager (Driver tab -> Uninstall device, check "Delete the driver software") will help avoid conflicts.
What to do if the driver won't install?
If the installation is interrupted, try running the installer as administrator. Also, temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall software, as they may be blocking the network ports required for printer initialization.
After reinstalling the drivers, be sure to restart your computer. This will allow the system to fully re-register the print services with the new settings. If the problem persists, check the event log. Windows for source related errors PrintService.
Network and firewall specifics
Antivirus and built-in firewall Windows Defender may block the connection, treating the printer as an unknown network device. If you recently changed the network profile from "Private" to "Public," the system may have restricted access to the peripherals.
Check your network type: Go to Settings -> Network & Internet -> Status. Make sure the "Private" profile is selected. On public networks Windows Hides the computer by default and blocks printer discovery for security.
⚠️ Attention: Security and antivirus software interfaces may vary. If you don't find an exact menu match, look for the "Firewall," "Network Protection," or "Application Rules" sections in your software.
Add an exception for the printing service in your firewall. In the search bar, type "Windows Defender Firewall" -> "Allow an app." Find "Print Spooler" in the list. spoolsv.exe and make sure that the boxes for private and public networks are checked.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why does the printer show as "Disconnected" only when connected via WiFi, but works via USB?
This indicates a problem with the network protocol or IP address. USB connection is direct, but WiFi a router and network settings are involved WindowsMost likely, the printer's dynamic IP address has changed, or your antivirus is blocking the network port. Solution: assign a static IP address to your router.
How do I find out my printer's IP address if it doesn't print?
On most models, you can print a network configuration report by holding down the "Cancel" or "Info" button for 5-10 seconds. The IP address is also often displayed in the printer's menu under the "Network" or "Wireless" section.
Can a Windows 10 update break my printer?
Yes, security updates sometimes change network device policies or replace drivers with newer, but less compatible, versions. In such cases, rolling back the driver through Device Manager or temporarily uninstalling the latest update can help.
What should I do if the required IP address is not in the port list?
In the Ports setup window, click "Add Port," select "Standard TCP/IP Port," and manually enter the printer's current IP address. If the system returns a detection error, select "Custom" and specify the device as "Generic Network Card."