My Laptop Isn't Connecting With My Printer via the USB

If you have a printer hooked up to your company laptop via a USB cable but are unable to print, there are several potential solutions. Not all printer issues like these are related to connection problems, so before proceeding, try printing from multiple applications on your laptop to verify that the problem is related to the printer connection rather than to the program from which you're trying to print.

General Troubleshooting

When it comes to diagnosing and fixing printers, often the simplest solutions are the most effective. Start by verifying that your USB cable is securely connected both to your laptop and your printer. Verify that the printer is turned on and that its status lights indicate that it is ready to print. Once the printer is turned on and the cable is connected, Windows 8 should display a message and automatically recognize and install your printer. If this does not happen, the printer may already be installed.
To check whether the laptop has already installed the printer, swipe to the right edge of your screen and click "Search." Enter "Devices" in the Search box, click "Settings," and then click "Devices." Your printer should appear in the list on the right side of the screen. If it doesn't, click "Add Device" and choose your printer on the list to install it.

Reboot and Update Windows

You can remedy many printing problems in Windows 8 by downloading available updates for the operating system. Move your cursor to the top-right corner of your screen, click "Settings," and then enter "Windows Update" in the Search box. Click "Check for Updates," accept all updates, and then reboot your computer again. When the laptop has fully rebooted, connect your printer's USB cable and see if you can print.

Install Printer Software

Some printer manufacturers require you to install manufacturer-specific print software before their printers will function as they should. If you have not yet installed this software, insert the CD or DVD that came with your printer, and then proceed with the automated prompts to install the software. If your laptop does not have an optical drive, download the software from the printer manufacturer's website. When the download is complete, open the downloaded software file and proceed through the prompts to install the software.

Printer Troubleshooter

Windows 8 has a dedicated device troubleshooter designed to help diagnose and fix printing issues. To launch the tool, swipe to the right edge of your screen, click "Settings," and then click "Find or fix problems." Click "Use a Printer" under the "Hardware and Sound" header, and then proceed through the automated prompts to have Windows diagnose any printer problems.