Unknown Printer
How to Identify and Fix Common Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced technical support :
The printer driver needs to be uninstalled and reinstalled if listed under “Unspecified” in the Printers folder. Connecting the label printer to the computer before the installation can cause a problem with the printer driver installation.
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.
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.
Oct 11, 2021•Knowledge. Why Does My Printer Show Up As “Unspecified” In Devices and Printers? A printer connected to a Windows 10 PC shows up under the “unspecified” section in Devices and Printers. Printers show up under “unspecified” when Windows cannot associate an appropriate driver.
Click Start on your computer, then select Devices and Printers. Right-click on the printer`s icon that did not install correctly, then select Troubleshoot. After you confirm that the printer driver for the device you want to use is not installed, select Apply this fix.
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.
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.
Restart devices
If your printer connects to a Wi-Fi network, disconnect your computer or mobile device from the network name (SSID), and then reconnect it to the same network name your printer is connected to. If the printer is available and has a ready status, the issue is resolved.
If you`re using Windows 10, click or tap the “+ Add a printer or scanner” button. No matter if you`re using Windows 11 or Windows 10, the operating system begins “searching for printers and scanners,” and if it manages to find your local printer or scanner, it will try to install its drivers automatically.
Almost all printers can print out a network configuration page, which will include the printer`s IP address. If your printer has a user interface (UI) display, the configuration page can generally be printed by going to the Settings or Setup page. Again, the exact steps will vary for different printer makes and models.
A printer, like any device that connects to the internet, has an IP address.
HP Smart app (Android, iOS): Open the app, tap your printer, and then tap Printer Information or Network Information to find the IP address. Most printers with a touchscreen display or menu: Open the Wireless Summary or Network Settings menu to find the IP address.
Sometimes, the “Windows couldn`t connect to the printer” issue could be simply due to outdated printer drivers and hence, updating the driver to the latest version may help fix the issue. Follow the below instructions to update the printer driver: Step 1: Go to Start, right-click on it and select Device Manager.
Select the Start button, then select Settings > Devices > Printers & scanners. Under Add printers & scanners, select Add a printer or scanner. Choose the printer you want, and then select Add Device. If you don`t see the printer you want, select The printer that I want isn`t listed.
Printer device settings involve information about the printers, such as its name, whether or not it`s the default printer, and what drivers it`s using. Unlike printing preferences, which only affect the computer, some of the printer`s device settings, like its name, will be visible across the network.
Printers are configured in the Printers section of the Windows Control Panel. Printer Settings: Displays the printer settings window associated with the selected printer. The desired paper size, among other settings, can be selected in the printer settings window.
A Universal Print Driver enables printers of different ages and models to work together under a single, standardised solution. Also referred to as the `generic` solution, it removes the need to install or manage individual drivers for each printer you use.
FIX Unknown Device Drivers with Windows Update
Open Device Manager and go to the device in question in your device. Typically, it is listed as an Unknown Device in the Other devices node and expands the section. Right-click on the Unknown Device and select Update Driver.
In the Devices and Printers window click on Add a printer. Choose “Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings”, then click Next. Select Create a new port and choose Standard TCP/IP Port, then click Next. Under Hostname or IP address: Type in the IP address of the printer you intend to connect to.
Go to Devices > Printers & scanners > select a printer > Manage. Then select Set as default. If you don`t see the Set as default option, the Let Windows manage my default printer option may be selected. You`ll need to clear that selection before you can choose a default printer on your own.
Click on Device Manager from the context menu. In Device Manager, click on View and select Show hidden devices. Next, expand the Printers section to view your printer.
It doesn`t slow down your computer as there are no processes or CPU activity associated with them. It adds clutter to Device manager and in general I would say that you should either remove them or fix them. But it won`t have an impact on performance.
According to Error codes in Device Manager in Windows, Error Code 28 refers to a missing driver for the piece of hardware that the error appears on in Device Manager. To resolve this error, install the latest driver for the device showing the error.
Simply plug the USB cable from your printer into an available USB port on your PC, and turn the printer on. On the taskbar, select the Search icon, type Printers in the search bar, and then select Printers & scanners from the search results to open the Printers & scanners system setting.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
newly installed printer…can scan but cant be set as a default printer???
ANSWER : ITS AN EPSON L210…
Read Full Q/A … :
Unknown Printer
Unknown Printer
Difference Between Laser Printer and InkJet Printer
ANSWER : Laser uses toner which is a powder that gets melted onto the page. Inkjet uses ink that gets squirted onto the page.
Read Full Q/A … :
Unknown Printer
Unknown Printer
PRINTER MX 320 CANON ALL IN ONE PRINTER
ANSWER : Probably a worn feed roller. You can try cleaning it with a damp rag as it might just be covered with paper dust.
Read Full Q/A … :
Unknown Printer
Unknown Printer
printer not working
ANSWER : Not knowing which printer model (out of over1200) it’s hard to say how to clean the print head. Without the make and model number there is no way we can offer any sound advice.
Read Full Q/A … :
Unknown Printer
Unknown Printer
epson printer problems
ANSWER : My Printer Has A Internal Erro
Read Full Q/A … :
Unknown Printer
Unknown Printer
HP Laserjet printer page counter backward move
ANSWER : On all HP laserjet printers if you power them off the page count will decrease back to the nearest 10. For example, if the page reading is 123,799 and you power it off, the page count will go back to 123,790.
Read Full Q/A … :
Unknown Printer
Unknown Printer
All panel lights blinking, printer doesnt respond
ANSWER : This is very easy process, you must change a new one
Read Full Q/A … :
Unknown Printer
Unknown Printer
printer error fix
ANSWER : Epson 2540
Read Full Q/A … :
Unknown Printer
Unknown Printer