You’ve checked the ink. The paper’s loaded. You’ve hit “Print” five times, and still… nothing. If your PC is not connecting to the printer, this guide is for you.
This is one of the most ubiquitous printing problems out there—and one of the most frustrating. If you’re attempting to print schoolwork, work reports, or that one photo you vowed to get framed last month, a dropped connection can turn your day into disaster.
The bright side? Nine times out of ten, this isn’t a hardware failure—it’s something you can repair yourself at home. In this step-by-step guide, here, we are going to cover:
The most common reasons why your printer won’t connect
Step-by-step process for troubleshooting
USB and wireless printer tips
How and when to reset your printer
A quick side-by-side comparison of Bambu Lab X1E vs X1C printers for those looking to upgrade
Let’s begin.
1. The Basics First: Check Cables, Power, and Wi-Fi
We know—you’ve probably done this already. But these quick checks solve way more problems than you’d expect:
Is the printer plugged in and powered on?
Is the USB cable fully seated at both ends?
If it’s a wireless printer, is it connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your PC?
Are there any blinking lights or error messages on the printer’s display?
Pro tip: If you’re using a dual-band router, ensure that your PC and printer are both connected to the same 2.4GHz or 5GHz network. Some printers are bad at communicating between bands.
2. Restart Everything (Yes, That Includes Your Printer)
As a head-of-pre-driver-and-settings troubleshooting measure, restart everything:
Power off your printer.
Restart your computer.
Reboot your Wi-Fi router (if your printer is wireless).
Power the printer back on last.
Occasionally a fresh reboot will cure persistent connection problems owing to cache memory, stuck ports, or temporary network hiccups.
3. Utilize the Built-In Troubleshooter (Windows)
If your computer uses Windows, it possesses an excellent troubleshooter utility for printers.
How to do this:
Open Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners
Choose your printer and select Manage
Next click Run the Troubleshooter
Windows will scan for hung print jobs, outdated drivers, or misconfigured ports—and correct what it can automatically.
4. Check the Print Queue and Printer Status
Your printer is usually plugged in… but some issue in the print queue is preventing it.
Do this:
Open Control Panel > Devices and Printers
Right-click your printer > See What’s Printing
Cancel hung or pending jobs
Right-click and see if the printer is “Paused” or “Offline”—if it is, unpause or go to “Use Printer Online”
If that doesn’t help, try uninstalling and reinstalling the printer completely.
5. Reinstall or Update the Printer Driver
One of the most common reasons for a pc not connecting to printer is a missing or outdated driver. Particularly after a major Windows update.
How to update or reinstall the driver:
Open Device Manager
Expand Printers or Print Queues
Right-click your printer > Update Driver
Or select Uninstall, restart and reinstall from the manufacturer’s website
This is particularly necessary for high-end devices such as the Bambu Lab X1E or X1C, which rely on updated drivers to function at their best.
6. Check Your Firewall or Antivirus Software
Occasionally your security software prevents devices—even old acquaintances like your printer.
Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus and see if the printer connects. If it does, you’ll need to:
Add your printer to the “allowed” list
Mark your local network as “Private” instead of “Public”
Make sure printer and file sharing is turned on under Network settings
Be sure to re-enable your firewall once you’re done testing.
7. Test a Different Connection Method
If your Wi-Fi printer won’t connect, see if plugging it in with a USB cable makes the connection. If it does, then your issue is likely with the wireless setup.
Or, if your USB connection isn’t functioning, try connecting the printer wirelessly or over Ethernet (if your device supports it). Some printers also support Bluetooth or mobile app printing.
8. Factory Reset the Printer (If All Else Fails)
If all else fails, a factory reset can be considered as a last resort.
Find this in:
The LCD menu of your printer
The setup or maintenance section
Your printer’s mobile app (most have one)
Warning: This will remove network settings, personal preferences, and stored jobs. But it typically clears out the faulty settings that stop pairing from working.
9. Bonus: Bambu Lab X1E vs X1C Printers Comparison
Talking of printers, let’s briefly compare two of the most debated models available today—the Bambu Lab X1E and the X1C. These are professional-grade, top-of-the-line 3D printers that most prosumers and small businesses adore.
Bambu Lab X1C
Best for: Makers, hobbyists, and small batch prototyping
Speed: Quick CoreXY design
Cooling & Precision: Surpasses, due to AI-tuned control
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, mobile app, cloud access
Downside: Not as secure for enterprise or institutional use
Bambu Lab X1E
Best suited for: Commercial and industrial users
Security: High-end (VPN/proxy support, offline printing)
Connectivity: Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and remote access
Thermal System: High-temp filament capable enclosure
Cost: More expensive, but worth the investment for serious use
10. When to Call in the Professionals
If all of the above fails—and your printer will still not connect—it may be time to:
Call the printer manufacturer’s technical support line
Contact your PC’s technical support
Call in a neighborhood tech (particularly for networked office environments)
For devices such as the Bambu Lab X1E, don’t forget looking for firmware upgrades or support guides on Bambu Lab’s support page.
Last Thoughts: Print Issues Don’t Have to Ruin Your Day
Fighting a picky PC that won’t hook up to the printer is annoying, but it’s seldom impossible. The overwhelming majority of problems are boiled down to something straightforward—drivers, network options, or a hung print queue.
With the steps described in this guide, you’ll be printing in no time—without forking over an arm and a leg for a new printer or freaking out before a deadline.
And if you’re in the market for a purchase upgrade? The Bambu Lab X1C vs X1E review observes that there’s something powerful left on the back burner out there for each and every level of user—pro creatives through enterprise teams.
Need More Help?
View more tutorials, comparison guides, and walkthroughs for troubleshooting issues at PrinterNotWorking—your one-stop site for all printers.
- Can’t Print? Here’s What to Do When Your PC Won’t Connect
- Explore why your PC isn’t connecting to your printer and learn how to fix it fast. Bonus: See how the Bambu Lab X1E compares to the X1C
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