Can't Connect to a Shared Network Printer

If you can't connect to a shared printer on the network, here's how to troubleshoot it. Step 1: Make sure the host computer is on For printers shared through a Windows PC (not a direct network printer), the computer sharing the printer must be powered on and logged in. Step 2: Confirm printer sharing is enabled on the host On the computer the printer is connected to: 1. Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners 2. Click the printer > Manage > Printer Properties 3. Go to the Sharing tab 4. Make sure "Share this printer" is checked and note the share name Step 3: Connect to the shared printer On your computer: 1. Open File Explorer and type \ComputerName in the address bar (replace ComputerName with the name of the PC sharing the printer) 2. You should see the shared printer listed 3. Double-click it to connect — Windows will install the driver automatically Step 4: Add the printer manually If step 3 doesn't work: 1. Go to Settings > Printers & scanners > Add a printer 2. Click "The printer that I want isn't listed" 3. Select "Select a shared printer by name" 4. Type \ComputerName\PrinterShareName Step 5: Check Windows Firewall The Windows Firewall on the host computer may be blocking printer sharing. Go to Control Panel > Windows Defender Firewall > Allow an app through > make sure "File and Printer Sharing" is checked. Step 6: Enable Network Discovery On your computer, go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings > Turn on network discovery. Contact us if you're on a managed network — there may be domain or group policy settings we need to adjust.