Now my USB and network connected printers won't print. What gives?

Question

I recently put in a USB external 500GB HDD. I tried multiple usb ports and the computer recognizes something being plugged in via the safely remove hardware screen. After trying to print I am prompted with an "error in the connection" message. After deleting the printers, the auto-find-and-install process of plug-and-play in printers and faxes panel says no printers can be found. I have all USB ports front and back plugged up with keyboard, mouse, 2 external HDDs, 1 printer (the one were talking about), APC battery backUPS and the last for the USB audio DAC link to my shelf system (essentially giant speakers). The printer has never done this until I turned on the new external HDD.

Answer 1

Probably siimply the sasme of trivk that Windows got confuzzled and has it on teh wrong "virtual port"



Open printer folder

Right click the printer, select PROPERTIES

Under teh PORTS tab, expand the header for PORT NAME so you can read it.



Scroll down you will probably find it on USB001

If there is also a USB002 tick that, click apply, try a windows test page.



If no luck proceed through list of the USB00x ports





Still no luck, disconnect printer

UNINSTALL driver

REINSTALL ONLY connected when prompted to



Good luck

Answer 2

Could it be that you are sucking too much power from the USB ports.

I assume you have tried disconnecting your latest addition?



Start with just kbd,mouse and printer, reboot the system and see if it finds new hardware ie your printer. Build up slowly from this. Try using back or front in case the supply to a set of usb ports has failed. ie if dead in back try it in the front.

Some devices use more power than others also not all ports have the same power capability. as an example a 1Gb usb key will work in an outlet in a keyboard but a 8Gb probably wont.

You may need to go for a powered usb extender block.

Answer 3

There might be many reason for this issue occurance.



To isolate the issue Go to Control Panel > Printer and Faxes > And see the printer icon.



> Make sure that printer icon must have check mark on it.



> Printer icon should be ready/online.



> If the printer icon show offline > Right click on the printer icon > select set as default.



> Right click on the printer icon > properties > Ports tab > And select the port as USB.



> Right click on the printer icon > Properties > Advanced tab > check 'Print directly to printer' radio button.



If the issue persists even after performing the above steps > Refresh the USB drivers.



To refresh the USB drivers > Disconnect the USB cable from the computer > Press Windows logo key and R key simultaneoulsy from the keyboard > It will open run window.



> In the run box type devmgmt.msc > It will open Device Manager window > Click on the + sign left of 'Universal Serial Bus Controllers' > check for printer related entries > Right click on that entries > click uninstall.



After performing with the above steps > Restart the computer > Connect the USB cable > It will prompt you with Add new hardware wizard > Proceed with onscreen instruction to add new hardware.



If the issue presists again, even after performing with all the above steps > Disconnect the USB cable from the computer > Insert the CD of printer > Proceed with uninstallation process.



> After uninstalling the software completely > Restart the computer to make the uninstallation process effective > Now insert the CD of the printer and proceed with the installation process.



If you need further assistance please write to me