When your HP printer suddenly disappears from the network after a Windows or macOS update, it can interrupt work and cause unnecessary frustration. This issue commonly occurs due to driver conflicts, network setting changes, disabled services, or firewall restrictions triggered during system updates.
Why HP Printer Is Not Showing on Network After Update?
After a system update, several changes may affect printer connectivity:
- Printer driver becomes incompatible or corrupted
- Network discovery is turned off
- Printer IP address changes
- Windows Firewall blocks the printer
- HP services are disabled
- Router resets network configuration
Understanding the root cause helps in applying the correct fix.
1. Restart Printer, Computer, and Router
Before applying advanced solutions, perform a basic restart:
- Turn off your HP printer.
- Shut down your computer.
- Unplug your Wi-Fi router for 60 seconds.
- Turn everything back on.
- Reconnect the printer to the Wi-Fi network.
A simple power cycle refreshes the network and often restores visibility.
2. Check Network Discovery Settings (Windows)
If Network Discovery is disabled, your HP printer won’t appear.
- Open Control Panel
- Go to Network and Sharing Center
- Click Change advanced sharing settings
- Turn ON:
- Network Discovery
- File and Printer Sharing
- Save changes and restart your PC.
After enabling this, check if the printer appears under Devices and Printers.
3. Set HP Printer as Default Printer
Sometimes after updates, the system removes the default printer.
- Open Settings
- Go to Bluetooth & Devices
- Click Printers & Scanners
- Select your HP printer
- Click Set as Default
If it is not listed, proceed to re-add the printer.
4. Re-Add the HP Network Printer
If your printer is missing, manually add it again:
- Open Settings > Printers & Scanners
- Click Add a Printer
- If not found, select The printer that I want isn’t listed
- Choose Add a printer using TCP/IP address
- Enter your printer’s IP address (find it from printer display or router admin page)
- Complete installation
This forces Windows to reconnect the printer via network.
5. Update or Reinstall HP Printer Drivers
After updates, old drivers may stop working.
Steps to Reinstall Driver:
- Open Device Manager
- Expand Print Queues
- Right-click your HP printer
- Select Uninstall device
- Restart your computer
- Install the latest driver from HP support
Make sure you install the driver version compatible with your updated Windows or macOS version.
6. Run HP Print and Scan Doctor
HP provides a built-in diagnostic tool to fix connectivity problems.
- Download and run HP Print and Scan Doctor
- Select your printer
- Allow the tool to detect and fix network issues automatically
This utility resolves most detection and communication errors.
7. Check Firewall or Antivirus Settings
System updates sometimes tighten firewall security.
- Temporarily disable Windows Defender Firewall
- Check if the printer appears
- If it works, add the HP printer software to firewall exceptions
- Re-enable firewall
Avoid keeping firewall disabled permanently.
8. Assign a Static IP Address to HP Printer
If the printer IP changes after router reboot, it may disappear.
To fix:
- Access printer’s control panel
- Go to Network Settings
- Select IPv4 Configuration
- Choose Manual IP
- Assign a static IP within your router range
- Save settings
Then re-add printer using that IP address.
9. Enable Required Windows Services
Certain services must be running:
- Press Win + R
- Type
services.msc - Ensure these are Running:
- Print Spooler
- Function Discovery Provider Host
- Function Discovery Resource Publication
Restart these services if necessary.
10. Check for Windows Update Printer Bugs
Sometimes the update itself causes printing issues.
You can:
- Install latest Windows patch fix
- Or uninstall the recent problematic update
- Restart system
Microsoft occasionally releases printer-related hotfix updates.
HP Printer Not Showing on Mac After Update
If you are using macOS:
- Open System Settings
- Go to Printers & Scanners
- Remove existing HP printer
- Click Add Printer
- Select printer from list
- If not listed, add via IP tab
Also ensure AirPrint or HP driver is selected correctly.
Troubleshooting Checklist
✔ Restart all devices
✔ Check Wi-Fi connection
✔ Enable Network Discovery
✔ Update HP drivers
✔ Re-add printer manually
✔ Disable firewall temporarily
✔ Assign static IP
✔ Run HP diagnostic tool
When to Contact HP Customer Support
If none of the above solutions work, you may need professional assistance. Contact HP Customer Support for:
- Advanced network configuration
- Firmware update issues
- Printer hardware malfunction
- Persistent driver errors
Have your printer model number and Windows/macOS version ready before contacting support.
Prevent Future Network Printer Issues After Updates
- Always update HP printer drivers before major Windows updates
- Keep firmware updated
- Use static IP configuration
- Avoid forcing shutdown during updates
- Maintain stable Wi-Fi connection
Conclusion
The issue of an HP printer network printer not showing after update is usually caused by driver conflicts, disabled services, or network changes. By following the step-by-step troubleshooting methods above, you can quickly restore your printer connection and resume printing without interruption.
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