Network printing is one of the most convenient features of modern HP printers. Whether you’re using Wi-Fi or Ethernet, connecting your HP printer to Windows 11 allows seamless printing across devices. However, many users face an issue where the HP network printer does not appear on Windows 11.
Why Is My HP Network Printer Not Showing on Windows 11?
There are several common reasons why your HP printer may not appear:
- Printer and PC are connected to different Wi-Fi networks
- Outdated or corrupted printer drivers
- Windows 11 firewall blocking printer discovery
- Network discovery turned off
- Printer service not running
- Incorrect installation setup
Understanding the root cause makes troubleshooting easier and faster.
Check Network Connection First
Before making any changes, confirm that:
- Your HP printer is powered on
- The printer is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Windows 11 PC
- There are no network interruptions
You can verify the network status from the printer’s control panel under Wireless Settings. If needed, reconnect the printer to your Wi-Fi network.
Enable Network Discovery on Windows 11
If network discovery is disabled, Windows 11 cannot detect network printers.
Follow these steps:
- Open Control Panel
- Go to Network and Internet
- Click Network and Sharing Center
- Select Change advanced sharing settings
- Turn on:
- Network Discovery
- File and Printer Sharing
- Save changes
Restart your PC and check if the printer appears.
Restart Print Spooler Service
Sometimes the print spooler service may stop working.
- Press Windows + R
- Type
services.msc - Locate Print Spooler
- Right-click and select Restart
- Set Startup Type to Automatic
This refreshes printer communication with Windows 11.
Add HP Printer Manually
If the printer does not appear automatically, try adding it manually:
- Open Settings
- Click Bluetooth & Devices
- Select Printers & Scanners
- Click Add Device
- If not detected, select Add Manually
- Choose Add a printer using TCP/IP address
- Enter your printer’s IP address
You can find the printer IP address from the printer’s network configuration page.
Update or Reinstall HP Printer Drivers
Outdated drivers are a common reason for printer detection issues.
Steps to Update Drivers:
- Open Device Manager
- Expand Printers
- Right-click your HP printer
- Select Update Driver
- Choose automatic search
If the issue persists:
- Uninstall the printer from Device Manager
- Restart your PC
- Reinstall the latest HP driver
Updated drivers ensure compatibility with Windows 11.
Disable Firewall Temporarily
Windows Defender Firewall may block printer discovery.
- Open Windows Security
- Click Firewall & Network Protection
- Temporarily disable the firewall
- Check if the printer appears
If the printer shows up, add it as an exception in firewall settings instead of keeping the firewall disabled.
Run Windows 11 Printer Troubleshooter
Windows includes a built-in troubleshooting tool.
- Open Settings
- Go to System
- Click Troubleshoot
- Select Other Troubleshooters
- Click Run next to Printer
This automatically detects and fixes common printer problems.
Check HP Smart Login and Setup
If you use HP Smart for printer management:
- Ensure you are logged into your HP account
- Confirm the printer is added in the app
- Remove and re-add the printer if necessary
Sometimes reconfiguring the printer inside HP Smart resolves network detection problems.
Reset Network Settings on HP Printer
If nothing works, reset the printer’s network settings:
- Go to the printer control panel
- Select Network Setup
- Choose Restore Network Defaults
- Reconnect to Wi-Fi
After reconnecting, try adding the printer again on Windows 11.
When HP Printer Is Still Not Working
If your HP network printer still does not show:
- Restart your router
- Use Ethernet connection temporarily
- Check for Windows 11 updates
- Verify printer firmware is updated
- Ensure no VPN is active on your PC
Network-based printing issues are often resolved by refreshing both printer and system connections.
How to Activate and Update HP Printer Software
To ensure optimal performance:
- Install the latest HP printer software
- Complete the printer setup process
- Activate printer services through HP Smart
- Check for firmware updates regularly
Keeping software updated prevents compatibility and network discovery issues.
Contact HP Customer Support
If the problem continues after troubleshooting, you may need professional assistance. HP customer support can help diagnose advanced network issues, driver conflicts, or hardware-related problems. Be ready with:
- Printer model number
- Windows 11 version
- Error messages displayed
- Network type (Wi-Fi or Ethernet)
Conclusion
When your HP printer network printer is not showing on Windows 11, the issue is usually related to network settings, outdated drivers, disabled services, or firewall restrictions. By enabling network discovery, restarting the print spooler, updating drivers, and re-adding the printer manually, you can resolve most issues quickly.
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