Error code
“Printer not responding”: Windows can’t reach the printer
“Printer not responding” means Windows sent a job and the printer never answered. Usually it’s asleep, off the network or at a new IP address. Check each in turn.
Windows message
What it means
Windows sent a job, or asked the printer for its status, and got no reply in time. It doesn’t mean the printer is faulty; it means the two aren’t talking. The most common reasons are a printer that has dozed off or dropped Wi-Fi, a printer whose IP address has changed while Windows still uses the old one, or a VPN or firewall in the way.
When you’ll see it
- Printing to a Wi-Fi printer that has been idle for hours
- After the router was restarted or replaced
- When the printer was moved or reconnected to a different network
- From a laptop connected to a VPN or a guest network
Usually caused by
- Most commonThe printer is asleep or has dropped off Wi-Fi
- Most commonThe printer’s IP address changed and Windows uses the old one
- SometimesA WSD port has lost track of the printer
- SometimesA VPN, firewall or guest network blocks the connection
- Less commonStatus checks fail even though printing itself would work
How to clear it
Work down the list in order. Tick off each step as you go: your progress is saved on this device.
Windows 11 and 10
0 of 7 tried
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Wake the printer and check its network status
Press a button on the printer to wake it and look for the Wi-Fi or network icon on its panel. If it shows disconnected, reconnect it to your network from the printer’s own Wi-Fi setup menu before changing anything in Windows.
You should see: The printer’s panel shows a steady Wi-Fi or network indicator.
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Restart the printer, then the router if needed
Turn the printer off, unplug it for 60 seconds and turn it back on. If other devices are also struggling, restart the router too and wait until the internet is back before powering the printer up, so it gets an address from a working router.
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Find the printer’s current IP address
Print a network configuration page from the printer’s control panel, or look in its network settings, and write down the IP address. Type that address into a browser on your PC; if the printer’s own web page loads, the network side is fine and the problem is in Windows’ settings.
You should see: The printer’s built-in web page opens in the browser.
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Point Windows at the current address
In Printers & scanners, select the printer, open Printer properties and go to the Ports tab. If the ticked port shows an old IP address or is a WSD port, click Add Port, choose Standard TCP/IP Port, click New Port and enter the current address. Make sure the new port is ticked, then click Apply.
You should see: A test page prints straight away.
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Turn off SNMP status on the port
Still on the Ports tab, select the TCP/IP port and click Configure Port. Clear SNMP Status Enabled and click OK. Windows uses SNMP only to ask the printer for its status, and if the printer doesn’t answer those questions, Windows can call it unresponsive even though printing works.
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Disconnect the VPN and check the firewall
Disconnect any VPN and make sure the PC is on the same main network as the printer, not a guest network. If your security software has its own firewall, check that it treats your home network as trusted, and leave the firewall itself switched on.
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Reserve the printer’s address in your router
In your router’s settings, find the address reservation or DHCP reservation option and tie the printer’s current IP address to it. That stops the address changing again and bringing this error back after the next router restart.
Common questions
Why does the printer say ready while Windows says not responding?
The printer is ready, but Windows is talking to the wrong address or through a port that lost track of it. Checking the port against the printer’s current IP address usually fixes the mismatch.
Should I switch from a WSD port to a TCP/IP port?
For most home and small-office networks, yes. A Standard TCP/IP Port pointed at a reserved address is predictable, while WSD relies on discovery that can lose the printer after network changes.
Can a USB printer show “not responding” too?
It can. Plug the cable straight into the PC rather than a hub, try another USB port and a shorter cable, and restart both devices.