Windows 10: I cannot add a new printer; the "Add a device" button greys out and the system never comes...

This is a known problem going back to, at least 2021. There is a closed thread on this with *NO* solution offered, other than go-back to Windows 10. It's hard to believe that Microsoft has not addressed this, still.Windows 11 has many problems, and I advise anyone who is thinking of converting from Win 10 to Win 11 to *NOT DO IT*.Win 11 is not fully cooked.

:)

 

How to change the default preference in system printer dialog?

To change the default printer preference in the system printer dialog, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Start button and then click on the Settings icon (it looks like a gear).
   
2. In the Settings window, click on "Devices."
   
3. In the Devices window, click on "Printers & scanners."
   
4. In the Printers & scanners window, you will see a list of all the printers that are currently connected to your computer.
   
5. Click on the printer that you want to set as the default printer.
   
6. Click on the "Manage" button and then click on "Set as default." Download Best File Manager EsFileExplorer
   
7. Close the Settings window and your new default printer preference will be set.
   

Please note that the steps can slightly vary depending on the version of your operating system.

 

win10 sez no drivers for brither hl5040 printer  

To be sure that you followed my suggestion correctly, I will specify some steps:
CP>devices and printers>add a printer>the printer that I want isn't listed>add a local printer with manual settings>define port>Windows update and install

 

New Printer Not Showing in Devices & Printers (But Does Show in Device Manager)

Now I have no printers and Devices and Printers at all, not even a banner (but it still shows in Device Manager).



I have uninstalled all the new Brother printer driver & utilities programs (again) and rebooted (again). I also turned off MS XPS print services from Programs and Features, just in case. In Device Manager, I clicked ‘Show hidden devices’ and found
three instances of the old printer plus the old Prolific Parallel – USB adapter cable (now returned & refunded). All these were ghosted out but I uninstalled all of them anyway.

I checked ‘spooling’ in ‘Services’ and this is set to ‘Automatic’ (and is ‘Running’).



These posts did not help:



1)

Redirecting



Let us try few of the below troubleshooting steps and check if it helps.

Step 1: Try to update the drivers for printer in Device Manager:

• Right click on Start button and select
  Device Manager.
• Expand Print queues, right click on the drivers and click on
  Update driver software.
• Restart the computer and check if the issue persists.

Step 2: If the device is not detected on your computer try to run Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.

Hardware and Devices troubleshooter checks for common problems and makes sure that any new device or hardware connected to your PC is installed correctly.

• Press Windows key from the keyboard, type
  Troubleshooting and select it.
• Click on view all option on the upper left corner of
  Troubleshooting window.
• Select the Hardware and Device options from the list.
  
• Click Next to run the Hardware and Device
  Troubleshooter

Step 3: I suggest you to run Printer troubleshooter and check if it helps.

• Press Windows + X, click on Control Panel, select
  Category and then select Large or Small icons.
• Click on Troubleshooting and click on
  View all in the left pane.
• Select Printer and follow on-screen instructions.

2)

https://support.microsoft.com/en-in/help/17420/windows-printer-problems

= ‘Fix printer problems’ on MS Support



I do not understand why I’m having so many problems but am desperate for help – please!

Chris