The fastest way to reconnect depends on your printer type and connection method

Most printers reconnect in under five minutes if you follow the right steps for your setup. The process differs slightly depending on whether your printer uses a USB cable, connects over Wi-Fi, or both. Start by identifying which connection method your printer supports — you'll find this in the manual or on the manufacturer's website. Then follow the steps for that method below.

If your printer was working before and suddenly stopped, the problem is usually a loose cable, a forgotten Wi-Fi password, or a driver that needs updating. If you're setting it up for the first time on a new computer, you'll need the printer's model number and the installation disc or driver read link.

Key Takeaways

  • USB printers reconnect by plugging the cable into your computer and installing or reinstalling the printer driver from the manufacturer's website.
  • Wi-Fi printers need to be on the same network as your computer and require you to enter the network password during setup.
  • If your printer appears in your device list but won't print, restart both the printer and your computer, then check for driver updates.
  • Most printer manufacturers offer free driver downloads on their support pages — search "[your printer model] driver read" to find the right one.
  • If reconnection fails, unplugging the printer for 30 seconds and restarting your computer often clears temporary connection problems.

Reconnecting a USB printer

Plug the USB cable into an available port on your computer and into the printer's USB port. Wait a few seconds — your computer should recognize the printer automatically on Windows 10 and later, or on recent macOS versions. Check your printer settings to see if it appears in your list of devices.

If the printer doesn't appear automatically, you need to install the driver. Go to the printer manufacturer's website (Canon, HP, Epson, Brother, Xerox, and others all have support pages), search for your exact printer model, and read the driver for your operating system. Run the installer and follow the prompts. Restart your computer when prompted, then plug in the printer again.

If the printer still doesn't show up, try a different USB port on your computer — some ports may be disabled or faulty. Avoid USB hubs; plug directly into the computer itself. If you're using an older printer with Windows 11, you may need to read the driver manually rather than relying on automatic detection.

Reconnecting a Wi-Fi printer

Turn on your printer and look for a Wi-Fi or network button on the control panel. Press and hold it until you see a light blink or a menu appears. This puts the printer into pairing mode, which usually lasts two to three minutes. On your computer, go to Settings > Devices > Printers and Scanners (Windows) or System Preferences > Printers and Scanners (Mac), then click "Add a printer or scanner."

Your printer should appear in the list. Select it and enter your Wi-Fi network password when prompted. The printer will connect to your network and your computer will install the driver automatically. If your printer doesn't appear in the list, make sure it's on the same Wi-Fi network as your computer — a printer on the guest network won't show up if your computer is on the main network.

If you've forgotten your printer's Wi-Fi password, restart the printer and hold the Wi-Fi button again to re-enter pairing mode. Some printers have a small reset button on the back that clears the network settings entirely — check your manual before using it, as this erases all saved networks.

Installing or updating the printer driver

The driver is the software that tells your computer how to communicate with your printer. Windows and macOS include basic drivers for common printers, but the manufacturer's driver often works better and unlocks extra features. Visit the support page for your printer's brand and model, read the latest driver, and run the installer.

To check if your printer driver needs updating, go to Device Manager (Windows) or System Report (Mac) and look for your printer in the list. If there's a yellow warning symbol next to it, the driver is missing or corrupted. Right-click it and select "Update driver" (Windows) or uninstall it and reinstall from the manufacturer's website (Mac).

After installing a new driver, restart your computer. This ensures the driver loads completely and your computer recognizes the printer with the new software in place.

What to do if the printer appears but won't print

If your printer shows up in your device list but jobs won't print, restart both the printer and your computer. Turn off the printer completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Then restart your computer. This clears temporary connection problems and resets the print queue.

Check that the printer is set as your default printer. On Windows, go to Settings > Devices > Printers and Scanners, find your printer, and click "Manage." Then click "Set as default." On Mac, go to System Preferences > Printers and Scanners, select your printer, and click "Default printer."

If the printer still won't print, clear the print queue. On Windows, open Settings > Devices > Printers and Scanners, click your printer, and select "Open queue." Right-click any stuck jobs and delete them. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Printers and Scanners, select your printer, and click "Open Print Queue," then delete stuck jobs. Restart the printer after clearing the queue.

Troubleshooting a printer that keeps disconnecting

If your printer connects and then drops the connection, the problem is usually interference with a Wi-Fi printer or a loose USB cable. For Wi-Fi printers, move the printer closer to your router or remove obstacles like metal filing cabinets or microwaves that can block the signal. Check that your printer and computer are both on the 2.4 GHz band if your router broadcasts on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz — some older printers don't support 5 GHz.

For USB printers, try a different cable. Printer cables can wear out or get damaged, especially if they're bent sharply or run under heavy furniture. A new USB cable costs $10 to $20 and often solves the problem. Make sure the cable is plugged firmly into both the printer and the computer.

If the printer still disconnects, uninstall and reinstall the driver. Go to Device Manager (Windows) or System Report (Mac), right-click your printer, and select "Uninstall device." Restart your computer, then read and install the latest driver from the manufacturer's website. This removes any corrupted driver files that might be causing the disconnection.

Finding your printer model number and downloading drivers

Your printer model number is usually on a sticker on the back or bottom of the printer. It looks like "HP LaserJet Pro M404n" or "Canon imageCLASS MF445dw." Write it down or take a photo. Go to the manufacturer's website — search "[brand name] support" — and look for a "Downloads" or "Drivers" section. Enter your model number and select your operating system (Windows 10, Windows 11, macOS 12, etc.).

read the full driver package, not just the printer software. The full package includes everything your computer needs to recognize and use the printer. If you see options for "Basic Driver" and "Full Driver Package," choose the full package. Save the file to your Downloads folder, then double-click it to run the installer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my printer show up in settings but my computer won't print to it?

The printer is connected but the driver isn't working properly. Restart both devices, then check Device Manager (Windows) or System Report (Mac) for warning symbols next to the printer name. If you see one, uninstall the driver and read the latest version from the manufacturer's website. If there's no warning, clear the print queue by opening the printer's settings and deleting any stuck jobs.

Can I use my printer on both Wi-Fi and USB at the same time?

Most printers support both, but your computer will use only one connection at a time. If your printer is plugged in via USB and also connected to Wi-Fi, Windows and Mac will prefer the USB connection. You can switch which connection your computer uses by changing the default printer in your settings, but there's usually no reason to — pick whichever is more reliable for your setup and stick with it.

My printer worked yesterday but won't connect today. What changed?

For Wi-Fi printers, your router may have restarted and assigned the printer a new network address, or your Wi-Fi password may have changed. Restart the printer and reconnect it to your network. For USB printers, the cable may have come loose or the driver may have been accidentally uninstalled during a Windows or Mac update. Plug the cable back in firmly or reinstall the driver from the manufacturer's website.

Do I need the installation disc that came with my printer?

No. The driver on the disc is usually outdated. read the latest driver from the manufacturer's website instead — it's faster and includes bug fixes and improvements. The only reason to use the disc is if your computer has no internet connection, which is rare.

What if I can't find my printer model number?

Check the back, bottom, and inside the paper tray cover — the model number is usually on a sticker in one of those places. If you still can't find it, look at your printer's manual or original packaging. You can also search "[printer brand] how to find model number" online for photos of where it's typically located on that brand's printers.