Laptop can't see networked printer via wifi - any clues?

[nevets88]

So it's the old annual Please Fix my Computer week, my relatives have a Windows 7 laptop that can't see a Samsung laser printer. Another laptop can and can print to it. An iPad can print to it.

The setup app automatic search can't find it. I gave the setup app the printer IP address and server name. No love. Any clues?

[iacas]

Stop using Windows 7? :)

[nevets88]

Stop using Windows 7? :)

Ha ha. I hate working on Windows problems. Oy vey, such a mess of configuration options.

[saevel25]

So it's the old annual Please Fix my Computer week, my relatives have a Windows 7 laptop that can't see a Samsung laser printer. Another laptop can and can print to it. An iPad can print to it.

The setup app automatic search can't find it. I gave the setup app the printer IP address and server name. No love. Any clues?

Your labtop probably doesn't have the drivers for the printer. Usually Windows 7 can search for them it self, but sometimes it can't. Go to Samsung's website, and download the drivers for the printer.

I had this issue at work. Had the IP address and everything.  I had to go manually download the driver. What you could also do is plug the labtop directly into the Samsung device by USB cord, and see if that installs the drivers. Most printers, USB harddrives, Mouse, Keyboards, ect; have the drivers on the device and will load automatically that way.

[Lihu]

Is it having issues only over wifi? Have you tried a wired connection?

The main issues with Windows (Any version) is the driver. Are you using the latest and /or 64 bit drivers if available?

[Missouri Swede]

So it's the old annual Please Fix my Computer week, my relatives have a Windows 7 laptop that can't see a Samsung laser printer. Another laptop can and can print to it. An iPad can print to it.

The setup app automatic search can't find it. I gave the setup app the printer IP address and server name. No love. Any clues?

Were you using the setup app from the printer, or the "add a printer" from Control Panel?

I had a similar problem a few weeks ago when replacing a printer on my home network (new Epson printer).  On my laptop (Windows 7 Home Premium), the Epson installation software would install the drivers, etc., but it wouldn't see the printer.

I think I finally got it to work by adding the IP address directly into Add Printer -> Add a network printer -> "The printer I wanted isn't listed" -> "Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or home name" then put in the IP address in the box on the next screen.

If it's not seeing the IP address as a valid address, then I suspect there's some sharing issues with the network (the new laptop doesn't have permission to see everything on your network):

-On another computer (one that sees the printer), go to Control Panel -> Devices and Printer -> right click on the printer, select "Printer Properties," select the Sharing tab, and make sure that the "share this printer" box is checked.

-then see if the new laptop can see it.

[nevets88]

OK, it works now. I was using the setup program, input the ip, server name, search for printer, nothing. Disabled the firewall, repeat, nothing.

So I gave it the three bloody finger salute and rebooted, ran the setup program again and the search for printer worked. Gave it the rubbish middle finger salute.

Thanks for all the suggestions though - they will be useful next time I run into this again.