Printer not recognised

[dlpmikki]

I used to have an HP printer and the PC suddenly stopped recognising it intermittantly. I had to turn off and unplug the PC (not the printer) to get it recognised. I thought it might be because the printer was getting a bit old so I bought myself a new Canon printer. Now it has started doing the same!

The printer troubleshooter software says the printer is offline, make sure it is attached and turned on. Windows says an unrecognised device has malfunctioned. Now that two different makes of printer are having the same problem I am suspecting the PC. Doesn't matter which USB port they are plugged into.

Can anyone help?

 

[WartHog]

Have you tried doing a complete uninstall on both printers yet? I would suggest doing that first. Go into Control Panel\Hardware and Sound\Devices and Printers, click on your printers and select "remove Printer" at the top of the page.

Then install the new printer again, and go back into control panel and make sure it is set up as your default printer.

 

[mitchell65]

Have you got the latest drivers for the printer. Go to the Canon site and check. If you need help with this then post here the full model and number details of your new printer and say which version of Windows 7 you have and one of us will find the driver for you.
The next job you should do please is to fill in your system specs. This is most important as we will definitely need this to help you with queries in the future. Again if you need help with this please ask!

 

[mitchell65]

Whoops sorry, we crossed here but both replies are relevant. Perhaps do the re-install first and my idea if that doesn't help second

 

[Imperfect1]

I'm not 'technologically' inclined, but it sounds to me as you might have a hardware problem --- having something to do with the interface between the computer and the printer. Have you checked this out?

 

[dlpmikki]

Thanks. I did try uninstalling and reinstalling when it happened with the HP printer but it made no difference. I have found some slightly more up to date drivers for the canon so have tried that. Will have to see if the problem recurs. If it does I will have to come back and ask about finding the system specs as I can't remember how to do that at the moment!

I have got a new cable with the new printer so don't think it is that sort of hardware. If it is the motherboard I wouldn't have a clue where to start.

 

[mitchell65]

So is the printer now working OK or not? Please do not leave filling in your system specs. You can get the info you want by running this free software
Belarc Advisor - Download

When you have done that go to the User CP button at the top of this Forum and you will see where to enter your details!