Windows 10: Strange Printers & Scanners Issue

Just installed Windows 10 onto a new SSD installed into a laptop. All available Microsoft, Dell, and application updates have been applied.


The user contacted me wanting to change their default printer, which he knew how to do, but could not get it to work. Upon investigation, the Printers & Scanners windows does not operate as it should. When you click on a printer in the list, it should expand (or add a row) below it for the buttons to appear in. However, on this computer, it does not push the printer below it down, but instead adds the "Open queue" and "Manage" buttons to the same row as the printer that should be pushed down (see image below).




And when you move the mouse down to the buttons and click on one of them, instead of activating the button, it clicks on the printer. In the image above, when we try to click on either of the buttons, it selects the Nuance PDF printer. This applies to all of the printers in the list except the OneNote printer, which operates correctly.


We did manage to get the default printer changed by pressing <TAB> twice to get to the Manage button, but I would like to truly resolve the issue rather than just provide a work-around.


To confirm, "Let Windows manage my default printer" is deselected, so is not a factor.


Can anyone offer an idea why this might be happening to this system or what I can try to do to resolve the issue?

:)

 

Windows 10 recognizes my printer+scanner only as a printer.

Hello,

Another method you may try is to uninstall and reinstall the printer. The following are the steps:



Remove your printer

• Select the Start button, then select Settings > Devices > Printers and Scanners.
• Under Printers & scanners, find the printer, select it, and then select Remove device.

Install or add a local printer

• Select the Start button, then select Settings > Devices > Printers and Scanners.
• Under Printers & Scanners, see if your printer is installed.
• If you don’t see your device, select Add a printer or scanner. Wait for it to find available printers, choose the one you want, and then select Add device.

On the other hand, we suggest also that you reach out the manufacturer of your printer/scanner for the driver availability or work around.



Regards.

 

Remove Old Printers from "Add a printer or scanner"

Hi,

My apologies for the delayed response.

I suggest you to follow the below steps to remove unwanted Printers and check if it resolves the issue. Here's how:

1. Right click on Start and select Control Panel
> Devices and Printers.

2. Under Printers, select the unwanted Printer and click on
Remove device.

3. Now go to Start menu and navigate to Settings >
Devices > Printers & scanners and check whether the printers

are listed under Add printers & scanners.

Please post back with the status of the issue and we will be glad to assist you further.

Thank you.

 

Scanner

Hi JSmith,

Your scanner should be installed first in order for your computer to recognize it. Since you're using a printer/scanner in one, you need to add or install the device as a printer and as a scanner. Make sure that the printer is properly connected to your
computer and is turned on when you try to install it. Follow these steps:

• Click Start > Settings > Devices.
• Under Add printers & scanners, click the + sign and select
  Add device.

Once added, try checking if you're able to scan. If your computer still doesn't detect the scanner, then we suggest that you get in touch with HP Support for further assistance.

Feel free to let us know if you need more information.

Regards.