On trying to print from the Windows PC, you may encounter an error message read as “windows cannot connect to the printer.” The reasons for its occurrence are several while the configuration is the one that affects it the most.
To get over this error, you need to verify whether it is your network printer that requires a set up with a LAN port or is it that your Canon printer needs to be connected to a new system.
Discussed ahead are some troubleshooting techniques to take you out of the issue.
Troubleshooting techniques for Shared Network Printer
The given troubleshooting methods are for a situation when you connect your Canon printer to a system. You need to follow the given instructions:
- Initiate the process by first going to the Start menu and typing Add a printer. Add a printer option will get displayed in the search results. Click to open it.
- Add a printer Wizard open up on your screen. Now, you need to choose the type of printer you want to configure, therefore click on “A network printer or a printer connected to another computer system.”
- Then, click on Connect to the printer under your printer’s name. Now you are required to enter the path to your shared printer. This way, you will be able to connect to the shared printer.
Troubleshooting techniques for Network Printer
This process may be used for the printers connected to LAN or wireless networks. The troubleshooting requires you to take the instructions given below:
- Firstly, click on the checkbox against the local printer connected to this computer system. By selecting this checkbox, you will be able to make a new port. Now, from the drop-down list, click to select standard TCP or IP port.
- Having forgotten the IP address of your PC, you have an alternative to get a printout of the printer’s configuration sheet. This action can be taken from the printer’s menu option. To seek out a query related to the action, you may consider checking the Canon printer user manual to clarify your doubt.
File & printer sharing on windows firewall
There may be a situation where a Windows firewall stops the connection and prevent your printer from connecting to a network. You can avoid the same by using the instructions given below:
- Go to the Start menu, type Control panel in the search menu, and click on the Control Panel option out of search results.
- In the Control Panel, click on Windows Firewall and then click on “Exceptions.”
- You need to ensure that the file and printer sharing checkbox has a tick-mark. This implies that your network connection will not be blocked by the Firewall any further.
Update your printer drivers
You can choose to update the Canon printer driver installed in your system, for it may have turned outdated or corrupt. Then, try to get a printout for a test print and check if the printer printed the whole page or not.
You can also download the driver from the reliable Driver updater tool providing you an automatic scanning of your PC for the corrupt or outdated driver and replace it with the updated one.