Unknown Printer

How to Identify and Fix Common Problems ?

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If the error message, Unknown device appears, this can indicate that there is not adequate power and the PC can not identify the printer correctly. Verify that there are no extension cables and that the power cable is no longer than five meters. Reseat the power cables.
Check the printer connection status: Make sure the wireless signal is on, and the printer is connected to the same network as your computer or mobile device. If your printer has a light next to a Wireless icon or button , make sure the light is on. If it is off or blinks the printer is disconnected from the network.
Restart the printer and try again. Unplug the printer from an outlet. You can plug it back in again to see if it works this time. Check if the printer is properly set up or connected to your computer`s system.
Updated: 10/11/2021 by Computer Hope. An unknown device is a device name listed in Device Manager that Windows cannot identify or doesn`t have the appropriate drivers to be recognized.
If you see an “unknown accessory detected near you” message (or similar), it means there`s an item compatible with the Find My network that might be traveling with you. If so, its owner may be able to see your location. You should look to see if something you`re borrowing has such a device attached.
Your printer should have been packaged with a USB cable regardless of whether it is a wireless or wired printer. Plug the cable into your printer and your computer`s USB port. The direct linking should trigger your computer to recognize the printer and start up the software needed to complete the installation.
The problem of the printer icon not displaying in devices & Printers is frequently resolved by downloading and installing the most recent printer driver. If your printer drivers are out of sync, they may not function until you download and install the latest update.
Make sure that both ends of the USB cable are correctly inserted into the computer and the printer. Try disconnecting and reconnecting the USB cable at both ends. Disconnect the printer and the computer and reconnect them. Try another USB port if available.
Wi-Fi printers

Go to the Start menu and click Settings, Devices, then Printers & scanners. Select Add a printer or scanner and wait for your printer to appear in the list, then select it and hit Add device. If Windows doesn`t find your printer, select The printer that I want isn`t listed and follow the instructions.

The problem of the printer icon not displaying in devices & Printers is frequently resolved by downloading and installing the most recent printer driver. If your printer drivers are out of sync, they may not function until you download and install the latest update.
Open the start menu and select Control Panel > Administrative Tools > and choose the Services icon. Locate the Print Spooler service and right-click. Then select the option to “Stop” the service.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

HP DESKJET 1280 ERROR
ANSWER : Help please! Printer power and paper lights continue to flash,- even after : encoder strip cleaned, carriage rod lubed, carriage is not stuck, rollers cleaned, no paper jambed . I know this is a variation on an existing theme, but could anyone help solve the issue.Many thanksKen

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Unknown Printer

HP deskjet 460 Waste ink tank full
ANSWER : I worked fixing printers for 5 years for Verizon and some of the older printers were notorious for the waste receptacle filling and overflowing with ink. My solution was good old warm water. Remove the waste container and scoop out as much as you can with a small screwdriver, wiping the discard on a paper towel, then just run warm water from the faucet into the container till all the residue is removed. This is just water soluble ink folks, if you want to test it, scoop out a glob and dissolve it in warm water, its easy as pie. I never once bought a new ink discard reservoir. I just cleaned out my mobile 460 printer reservoir by the same method. There are no electrical connections its just all plastic.

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Unknown Printer

hp deskjet 3420- system error
ANSWER : Hi I am having problem in printing from java file , I followed all your steps but C:\\WINDOWS\\system32\\spool\\drivers\\w32x86\\3 after this I am getting no files in this folder ,please help me as I am struggling to get print from java since a week

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Unknown Printer

HP DeskJet 1220C Prints only Pink & Black
ANSWER : hi everyone. i have an hp ink advantage 5525 all-in-one. changed all cartridges as they were empty and when i tried to print i got blank pages. i gave a print order a couple times to find out what was going on and found out that yellow and magenta inks worked but not cyan and black. removed cartridges, clean and all many times and nothing happened. then i tried this youtu.be/f57jOGj-G5s and the print quality of magenta and yellow improved significantly but still no black or cyan at all. i can’t do the running water thing because the print head is not detachable. any suggestions?

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Unknown Printer

HP Deskjet 5150
ANSWER : Ok I have the same problem, Kemal. HOW DO YOU DISASSEMBLE the printer carriage and the Ink Service Station from that??

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Unknown Printer

HP DeskJet 722C Paper Feed Problem
ANSWER : Detach the force string from the holding nothing back one and expel all paper from it.

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Unknown Printer

HP DeskJet 950C Leaking Ink
ANSWER : Thanks for the “loose, white rectangular piece” comment in my 990cse. I found this same white piece of rubber today jamming up the cleaning station carriage assembly and was wondering where it came from!

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Unknown Printer

HP Deskjet 1120C
ANSWER : I have just experienced a similar problem after cleaning out the ink build up without removing the outer case. The two lights are flashing and the ink cartridges end up on the far left after jumping back and fore a few times.

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Unknown Printer