F5F Stay Refreshed Software Operating Systems Your Windows 11 computer can't find your shared printer, so it won't work with it.

Your Windows 11 computer can't find your shared printer, so it won't work with it.

Your Windows 11 computer can't find your shared printer, so it won't work with it.

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ShadowNiqht
Member
198
04-18-2026, 03:35 AM
#1
The printer is plugged into a desktop computer using USB cable, and this desktop runs Windows 10. I have a newer laptop that has Windows 11 installed, but it can see the printer on the network even though it won't connect to it. A second laptop with Windows 10 connects fine to the same printer without any trouble. Here is the link to the manual for this specific HP printer: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c05200561.pdf
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ShadowNiqht
04-18-2026, 03:35 AM #1

The printer is plugged into a desktop computer using USB cable, and this desktop runs Windows 10. I have a newer laptop that has Windows 11 installed, but it can see the printer on the network even though it won't connect to it. A second laptop with Windows 10 connects fine to the same printer without any trouble. Here is the link to the manual for this specific HP printer: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c05200561.pdf

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loltribo
Posting Freak
870
04-20-2026, 01:14 AM
#2
Do both computers sit on the same Private Network? Did you try running the Printer Troublehooter? What printer model do you have?
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loltribo
04-20-2026, 01:14 AM #2

Do both computers sit on the same Private Network? Did you try running the Printer Troublehooter? What printer model do you have?

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CoolDudette26
Junior Member
4
04-21-2026, 05:33 PM
#3
This "but will not connect" message means I can't make a connection to it. I need to know exactly what error message, pop-up window, or anything else shows up when the connection tries to fail. Also, are there any related error codes in Reliability History/Monitor or Event Viewer? Let's compare Windows 10 laptops and Windows 11 laptops using PowerShell's Get-SmbShare command to see how they differ.

FYI: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powers...ver2022-ps Results from my computer show this text below. I will install the latest version of PowerShell so it gets better features and improvements. https://aka.ms/PSWindows PS C:\Users\XXXX> Get-SmbShare

Name ScopeName Path Description
---- --------- ---- ----------- ADMIN$ * C:\WINDOWS Remote Admin C$ * C:\ Default share Chicago-DVD * E:\ D$ * D:\ Default share IPC$ * Remote IPC T$ * T:\ Default share I want to look at what the results show on my Windows 10 laptop that connects, and compare it with the results from my Windows 11 laptop that does not connect. Are there any differences between these two sets of data?
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CoolDudette26
04-21-2026, 05:33 PM #3

This "but will not connect" message means I can't make a connection to it. I need to know exactly what error message, pop-up window, or anything else shows up when the connection tries to fail. Also, are there any related error codes in Reliability History/Monitor or Event Viewer? Let's compare Windows 10 laptops and Windows 11 laptops using PowerShell's Get-SmbShare command to see how they differ.

FYI: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powers...ver2022-ps Results from my computer show this text below. I will install the latest version of PowerShell so it gets better features and improvements. https://aka.ms/PSWindows PS C:\Users\XXXX> Get-SmbShare

Name ScopeName Path Description
---- --------- ---- ----------- ADMIN$ * C:\WINDOWS Remote Admin C$ * C:\ Default share Chicago-DVD * E:\ D$ * D:\ Default share IPC$ * Remote IPC T$ * T:\ Default share I want to look at what the results show on my Windows 10 laptop that connects, and compare it with the results from my Windows 11 laptop that does not connect. Are there any differences between these two sets of data?

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Canadensee
Junior Member
31
04-22-2026, 06:36 PM
#4
They are on the same private network. I've tried fixing things many times with HP Laserjet Pro MFP M227fdn. The laptop sees the printer in the network. But when I try to find it, I get a message that says Printer not found.
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Canadensee
04-22-2026, 06:36 PM #4

They are on the same private network. I've tried fixing things many times with HP Laserjet Pro MFP M227fdn. The laptop sees the printer in the network. But when I try to find it, I get a message that says Printer not found.

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michal070804
Member
129
04-23-2026, 02:40 AM
#5
What about the PowerShell Get-SmbShare command? Are there any error codes or messages in Reliability History, Monitor, or Event Viewer? The printer is a shared one, not a network printer. Look closer at the properties of the shared printer. On the Windows 10 laptop that connects successfully and on the Windows 11 laptop that cannot connect, both might see the printer, but the second laptop might just be missing the right permissions to use it.
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michal070804
04-23-2026, 02:40 AM #5

What about the PowerShell Get-SmbShare command? Are there any error codes or messages in Reliability History, Monitor, or Event Viewer? The printer is a shared one, not a network printer. Look closer at the properties of the shared printer. On the Windows 10 laptop that connects successfully and on the Windows 11 laptop that cannot connect, both might see the printer, but the second laptop might just be missing the right permissions to use it.

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DarkBoy__YT
Posting Freak
898
04-23-2026, 11:35 AM
#6
I had a similar issue with my wife's laptop not finding the printer when plugged into my desktop computer using a USB cable. All our computers ran Windows 10, but I still couldn't make the laptop connect or work properly with that printer. After trying everything else, I finally set up the laptop to use WiFi instead of the USB cable and it works perfectly now. Now I don't even need the other PC connected to that printer via USB anymore. Can you get it connected through WiFi?
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DarkBoy__YT
04-23-2026, 11:35 AM #6

I had a similar issue with my wife's laptop not finding the printer when plugged into my desktop computer using a USB cable. All our computers ran Windows 10, but I still couldn't make the laptop connect or work properly with that printer. After trying everything else, I finally set up the laptop to use WiFi instead of the USB cable and it works perfectly now. Now I don't even need the other PC connected to that printer via USB anymore. Can you get it connected through WiFi?

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Amegahoney
Posting Freak
789
04-24-2026, 02:34 AM
#7
I don't know what Powershell Get-SmbShare command does. Also, I have never used Reliability History or Monitor tools. Although I tried using Event Viewer before, it was hard for me to read the results here. Yes, the shared printer is connected via USB to a Win 10 desktop computer. Both my Win 11 laptop and my Win 10 laptop can connect to this network by Wi-Fi. For permissions, that might be where I am getting things wrong. Specifically, what exactly do I look for in the Event Viewer or elsewhere on both laptops to compare them?
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Amegahoney
04-24-2026, 02:34 AM #7

I don't know what Powershell Get-SmbShare command does. Also, I have never used Reliability History or Monitor tools. Although I tried using Event Viewer before, it was hard for me to read the results here. Yes, the shared printer is connected via USB to a Win 10 desktop computer. Both my Win 11 laptop and my Win 10 laptop can connect to this network by Wi-Fi. For permissions, that might be where I am getting things wrong. Specifically, what exactly do I look for in the Event Viewer or elsewhere on both laptops to compare them?

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jf_poli
Member
111
05-02-2026, 12:06 AM
#8
That is exactly what I am attempting to do with my wifi home network connection.
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jf_poli
05-02-2026, 12:06 AM #8

That is exactly what I am attempting to do with my wifi home network connection.

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brandoninmi
Junior Member
7
05-02-2026, 01:09 AM
#9
Going back a bit then. My thought is that there is some mix up or confusion with respect to "wireless". As I understand the network and connections: The host desktop is a wired network connection to the network router and the desktop is sharing the printer via one of the desktop's USB ports. The share is succesful because a wirelessly connected network Windows 10 laptop is able to print, And can only do so if the desktop hosting the printer and the printer are both turned on. The desktop computer and other network computers are able to print - correct? The wirelessly connected network Windows 11 laptop can "see" the printer but is unable to print. Consider that the Windows 11 laptop is perhaps "seeing" the printer as a wireless network connected printer and not as a printer shared by the desktop computer. Were any configuration changes made on the printer with respect to network connectivity: i.e., printer name, IP address, subnet mask? (Reference physically numbered page 114 in the printer's user manual.) Print out the printer's configuration report - the report may be necessary. Set up the Windows 10 and 11 laptops side by side. Both now using wireless network connectivity with their respective wired network adapters disabled. Using the Windows 10 laptop (printing) as a reference to work through the printer configuration settings on the Windows 11 laptop (not printing). Change the Windows 11's printer configuration settings to match the Windows 10 's printer configuration settings. If there is some difference then the printer's Configuration Report may resolve the matter as to the necessary configuration setting. = = = = For now, the objective will be to focus on getting the Windows 11 laptop to print to the shared printer. Bear in mind, just as a general observation, is that if you can setup the printer as a network printer (versus shared) then the printer can be directly configured and managed more on its' own merits with no dependency on the desktop. The printer thus being a wired network device connected to the router. (However, the printer can be configured to be a wirelessly (Wifi) connected network device if required. ) Wired will perform much better in most environments. And wireless computers or other devices can still print because their respective wireless connections to the router allow access to the wired network printer. If you really require the printer to be a standalone wireless network device that can be done.
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brandoninmi
05-02-2026, 01:09 AM #9

Going back a bit then. My thought is that there is some mix up or confusion with respect to "wireless". As I understand the network and connections: The host desktop is a wired network connection to the network router and the desktop is sharing the printer via one of the desktop's USB ports. The share is succesful because a wirelessly connected network Windows 10 laptop is able to print, And can only do so if the desktop hosting the printer and the printer are both turned on. The desktop computer and other network computers are able to print - correct? The wirelessly connected network Windows 11 laptop can "see" the printer but is unable to print. Consider that the Windows 11 laptop is perhaps "seeing" the printer as a wireless network connected printer and not as a printer shared by the desktop computer. Were any configuration changes made on the printer with respect to network connectivity: i.e., printer name, IP address, subnet mask? (Reference physically numbered page 114 in the printer's user manual.) Print out the printer's configuration report - the report may be necessary. Set up the Windows 10 and 11 laptops side by side. Both now using wireless network connectivity with their respective wired network adapters disabled. Using the Windows 10 laptop (printing) as a reference to work through the printer configuration settings on the Windows 11 laptop (not printing). Change the Windows 11's printer configuration settings to match the Windows 10 's printer configuration settings. If there is some difference then the printer's Configuration Report may resolve the matter as to the necessary configuration setting. = = = = For now, the objective will be to focus on getting the Windows 11 laptop to print to the shared printer. Bear in mind, just as a general observation, is that if you can setup the printer as a network printer (versus shared) then the printer can be directly configured and managed more on its' own merits with no dependency on the desktop. The printer thus being a wired network device connected to the router. (However, the printer can be configured to be a wirelessly (Wifi) connected network device if required. ) Wired will perform much better in most environments. And wireless computers or other devices can still print because their respective wireless connections to the router allow access to the wired network printer. If you really require the printer to be a standalone wireless network device that can be done.

K
216
05-03-2026, 01:08 AM
#10
I own two computer PCs that both run Windows 10 Pro. One of them is connected to a printer using a USB cable, while the second one is hooked up through a network. Both machines are right next to each other. The other PC connects via Wi-Fi (if you meant that's how it works, then maybe I should say wireless? My wife's laptop runs Windows 10 Home). I tried everything possible but had so much trouble getting my wife's laptop to connect to the printer that after three hours of frustration, I gave up. Then I remembered seeing an option to wirelessly connect (through a modem, I suppose?). Once I did that, not only does the laptop print to the printer, if I turn off those other two desktop computers, the laptop still prints! Not sure if any of this helps or makes sense. Good Luck.
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Kawaiichan1776
05-03-2026, 01:08 AM #10

I own two computer PCs that both run Windows 10 Pro. One of them is connected to a printer using a USB cable, while the second one is hooked up through a network. Both machines are right next to each other. The other PC connects via Wi-Fi (if you meant that's how it works, then maybe I should say wireless? My wife's laptop runs Windows 10 Home). I tried everything possible but had so much trouble getting my wife's laptop to connect to the printer that after three hours of frustration, I gave up. Then I remembered seeing an option to wirelessly connect (through a modem, I suppose?). Once I did that, not only does the laptop print to the printer, if I turn off those other two desktop computers, the laptop still prints! Not sure if any of this helps or makes sense. Good Luck.

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