Windows 10: Laptops can no longer print to the USB printer on my main desktop PC

Hi all,

I've had my home network running for years with no issues, but for some reason, about six months ago, my laptops started having problems printing to the printer attached via USB to my main desktop. I'd get an error, then check the printer status, and find out it was disconnected, and unable to be re-added the way I always have:

1) Devices & Printers
2) Add a Printer
3) Printer I want isn't listed
4) Enter in name of desktop PC on the network, hit browse
5) See the host PC, select it, then select the printer
6) Drivers install, all is well

I have read more articles than I can count on the web about this issue, for example, just today:

https://social.technet.microsoft.com...it-did-earlier

https://social.technet.microsoft.com...ervice-missing

https://social.technet.microsoft.com...99-build-16299

I've visited other sites and forums too but this is the first one I'm posting to. Actually just got off the phone with Microsoft Support because the tech was so painfully unhelpful that I couldn't continue. (Not their fault. They're doing the best they can, I know.)

Anyway, can someone please point me in the right direction?

I have a desktop (less than a year old Maingear gaming PC) and several laptops (Thinkpad P1, T450s, crappy old Toshiba) - all the laptops exhibit the same behavior. And I know this USED TO WORK because I set it up previously with no issues.

Thanks in advance!

:)

 

Windows 10 Home Won't Print to Remote Printer


I have three computers.
Machine 1: Windows 10 pro, has the USB Brother HL-5040 printer
Machine 2: Windows 10 pro, prints OK to the remote printer.
Machine 3: Windows 10 home, Used to print, but not anymore (THIS IS THE PROBLEM).
I’ve tried everything that I can think of, and would appreciate any suggestions.
I did these steps on Machine 3 that did not work.

1. Remove the printer device.
2. Add a Printer
3. The printer that I want isn’t listed
4. Select a shared printer by name
5. Browse
6. Select the displayed Machine 1.
7. Select the displayed Printer.
8. Next
9. Failure “Connect to Printer”.
10. Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or Hostname
11. Next
12. Set Hostname to Machine 2, and set port name.
13. Detecting TCP/IP Port
14. Additional Port information required.
15. Device Type – Standard, Brother Port Server
16. Next
17. Detecting the Driver Model
18. Install The Print Driver
19. Select Brother and Brother HL-5040
20. Next
21. Replace the Current Driver
22. Printer Name (setting it to HL-5040)
23. Next
24. Do not share this printer
25. Next
26. You’ve successfully added “HL-5040”
27. Finish

Printing on Machine 3 puts the document in the print queue, which reports error printing.
Printing from Machine 2 to the printer on Machine 1 works perfectly.
All three machines are in the same HomeGroup. Machine 3 can access the shared files from Machine 1.

 

Printer issue, there was no communication between PC and Printer

Original title: laptop/printer issue

Hi everyone!

I have an HP ProBook 4430s and a Lexmark X2690 All-in-One Printer. A few weeks ago, my laptop and I went away for about a week, which left my printer disconnected. When I returned, I did my usual and plugged my printer's USB Cable into my laptop. When
I tried to print a document, I got an error stating there was no communication between PC and Printer and listed a series of things to double check. Everything was connected properly and securely but I kept getting that same message. I then completely uninstalled
and reinstalled my printer and got the following error message:

• Incorrect Port Detected
• Print Job Canceled
• This printer is designed to work with USB Cables only.
• The current software setting is not set to USB Port.
  • Make sure using USB Cable.
  • Make sure printer is set to a USB Port.

I have been confused since this printer issue started a few weeks ago. Through the Lexmark Productivity Studio, my laptop can communicate with the printer to scan a document but not print. I have also noticed the USB Virtual Printer Port is no longer showing
in the list of ports.

I did nothing out of the ordinary when I reconnected my printer to my laptop after that week away. I have considered one of the Windows 10 Updates possibly being the cause of all this but just don't know.

Does anyone have any ideas, suggestions, or thoughts as to what is going on with this equipment? I really need some help here.

Thank you!!

 

Print to PDF missing in Printer List

Hi William,

We suggest that you disable and re-enable the Print to PDF feature. Here are the steps:

• Click on the Start menu and type in Windows Features.
• Choose Turn Windows features on or off.
• On the next window, find Microsoft Print to PDF and disable it. Click
  OK to save changes.
• Restart your PC.
• Repeat the same steps to re-enable Microsoft Print to PDF.

If the issue persists, we suggest that you perform the troubleshooting steps suggested on the link below under
Advanced:

Fix printer problems

Regards.