Connecting a printer to Windows 1. Tips and troubleshooting. Microsoft tried to make setup processes much easier with Windows 1. Now that its automated, hooking up a printer in Windows shouldnt pose a problem especially with our guide. However, since this is the real world, well also talk about what to do if your printer connection fails. After all, it happens to the best of us. Utility for Windows that monitors the activity of Bluetooth devices around you. Connecting your printer automatically. For the average user, connecting a printer in Windows should be a snap, especially since the streamlined process relies mostly on auto detection and printer identification. When it works right, the setup should only take a minute or two. Remember to start with the basics, however. Make sure that both the printer and your computer are turned on, and that youve activated their wireless capabilities. Most printers have an LED logo that lights up when the system is looking for or connected to Wi Fi. Once the printer successfully connects to your network, head over to Windows 1. First, head to the Start menu and select Settings. Then, look for a logo labeled Devices and select it. Devices will take you to a window with a drop down menu that allows you to manage a variety of computer accessories. The first option should be Printers scanners. Select this. Add Printers Scanners. More. In the Printers scanners menu, look for the first option, which says Add a printer or scanner. Select this option and Windows 1. After the search is done, Windows 1. Double check your name and model number if necessary, and then select your printer from the list. However, you might be thinking, what if I dont have a wireless printer Thats okay Find the right cable connection to hook up your printer to your computer its usually a USB connection. Connect your printer directly to your Windows 1. Windows 1. 0 should then connect to your printer, download the latest drivers, and get you ready to print a test page without you needing to lift a finger. Related The best 3. D printers under 1,0. Troubleshooting solutions. If only everything was so easy. Printers being what they are, you may have run into trouble during the automatic connection process. Theres a myriad of reasons for this, most of which are directly linked to the age or brand of the printer youre using. If you are curious, then yes, buying a new wireless printer can often solve these problems for you, but thats an expensive fix for the average consumer. If you want to stick with your printer, we have a few other solutions for you to try. Buckle up, because things are about to get complicated. Start by going by to the Add Printer menu, where Windows 1. There should be a heading that says Find a printer by other options. Under this heading are several alternative setup methods that you can choose instead. Well go through them one by one. My printer is a little older. Help me find it. This should be the first option you should try if your printer is more than a few years old. It helps Windows scan for older connection protocols that it may not have otherwise picked up on. Best case scenario, it quickly finds your printer and you can move on. However, if your printer is very old, then you may not be able to find current drivers or use it with Windows 1. Microsofts new OS. In that case, sorry but youre out of luck. Select a shared printer by name. This solution is designed for office or class printers that are shared by other computers and are already on the network. Sometimes this prevents Windows 1. Choosing this option brings up a window that allows you to type in the name of a printer thats already in use. This helps Windows 1. Successfully Added Printer. More. Add a printer used a TCPIP address or hostname. Now were getting into more complex, manual setup options. Here you will open a window that encourages you to list the Device Type and Hostname or IP Address. Keep in mind that the Port Device type should be set to TCPIP for best results here. However, youll have to look up the hostname or IP address and the port name so you can correctly identify the internet connection your printer is using. These stats will be easier to find if you can examine your printers connection properties on another computer or via another available method. Add a Bluetooth, wireless or network discoverable printer. Essentially, this alternative allows Windows to find a printer through a connection other than traditional Wi Fi. If your printer has Bluetooth, for example, this is worth a try. The problem may be in Wi Fi connection quality, and this connection option will bypass that difficulty. Printer Port Configuration. More. Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings. This choice takes you through several windows that allow you to manually identify your printer. First, youll be prompted to choose a printer port which you should leave as the existing printer port Windows has already created and your printer manufacturer and model from the provided lists. This will allow you to download the appropriate drivers. You will then be asked to name the printer, decide your sharing settings, and, hopefully, print a successful test page. This is actually a good step to try first if you have a newer printer that wont connect properly. Does something seem wrong with your printer Story Continues. Troubleshooting Report. More. If you start suspecting that your printer just isnt working properly, even when it appears to be connected, then you should focus on troubleshooting. Your first step should always be to check for any available driver updates through Windows or on the manufacturers website. Downloading new drivers can add new compatibility to your printer and help it successfully connect. If the driver option doesnt work for you, then its time to run the Printer Troubleshooter app from Microsoft. This launches a wizard that asks you to identify your printer, and then scans for any apparent problems. This can provide you will valuable information that may allow you to fix your problem. Restoring Lost Bluetooth Icon to Your Windows System Tray. The Bluetooth icon in the Windows system tray provides an easy way to connect and manage Bluetooth devices on your Windows 7, 8, 8. Bluetooth users rely on it. But an accidental click in the wrong place can cause you to lose that icon, leaving no obvious way to access Bluetooth settings. Here is how to restore it. The Problem. When Bluetooth is activated in a Windows 7, 8, 8. Windows places a Bluetooth icon in the System Traythe collection of easily accessible icons near the clock. It will either appear on the task bar or can be accessed by clicking the upward pointing triangle. Clicking the Bluetooth icon displays a menu with entries for adding and managing Bluetooth devices. At the bottom of the menu, in a location that is easy to click by mistake, there is a Remove Icon entry. This removes the icon and closes the menu with no notification or confirmation. The next time you go to use Bluetooth, the icon is unexpectedly gone. With no icon or other indication that Bluetooth is available, it is easy to assume that Bluetooth is broken or no longer exists on the computer. It is difficult to understand why Microsoft included this, since icons in the System Tray can be easily hidden using the Customize link on the menu. Although it is extremely easy to remove the icon by accident, Windows provides no easy way to restore it. Despite the importance of Bluetooth these days, especially to tablet users, Windows provides no Bluetooth control applet in the Control Panel. In Windows 88. 1, a Bluetooth settings panel is available several levels deep from the Settings icon in the Charms menu, but like most Charms panels, its functionality is limited, and it includes no method to restore the Bluetooth icon. Restoring the Icon. A detailed Bluetooth control applet does exist. Called Change Bluetooth Settings, it can be opened by searching for it in the Start menu. The procedure is slightly different in Windows 7 and in Windows 88. Windows 7. 1. Click the Start button. Type change Bluetooth settings in the Search Programs and Files box directly above the Start button. Change Bluetooth Settings should appear in a list of search results as you type. Click it to open the Bluetooth Settings window shown below. Under the Options tab, place a check in the box next to Show the Bluetooth icon in the notification area. Click OK and restart Windows. The icon should reappear the next time you log in. Window 88. 1. 1. Right click the Start Button. Select Search. 3. Making sure Everywhere is selected, type change Bluetooth settings. 4. Change Bluetooth Settings should appear in a list of search results as you type. Click it to open the Bluetooth Settings window shown below. Under the Options tab, place a check in the box next to Show the Bluetooth icon in the notification area. Click OK and restart Windows. The icon should reappear the next time you log in. Windows 1. 01. Click the Start button. Type control panel3. Type change bluetooth in the Search Control Panel field at the upper right of the Control Panel. Change Bluetooth Settings should appear under Devices and Printers on the left of the screen. Click Change Bluetooth Settings to open the Bluetooth Settings window. Under the Options tab, place a check in the box next to Show the Bluetooth icon in the notification area. Click OK and restart Windows. The icon should reappear the next time you log in. We hope this guide is useful If you have any questions, please comment below.