FIX: Network Printer Stopped Working after Windows 24H2 update.
Many users have reported that their network printer stopped working after installing the Windows 11 24H2 update. If you’re experiencing this issue, continue reading below to discover how to fix the problem.
**Symptom:** After upgrading Windows 11 to version 24H2, Windows cannot communicate with the network printer (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) or nothing prints without any error. In contrast, with Windows 11 23H2 or Windows 10, the printer prints without a problem.
How to FIX: Windows 24H2 Network Printing Problems.
Method 1. Change Printing Port to Printer's IP Address.
The printing problems in Windows 11 24H2 mainly occur when the printer is configured to print through a WSD (IPP) port rather than a TCP/IP port. Proceed to set the printer to print using the printer's IP address instead of WSD. By making this change, you optimize the data transmission path directly to the printer, avoiding potential WSD protocol bottlenecks, thus improving print job reliability. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners.
2. Click on the printer and then open Printer Properties.
3. Select the Ports tab and then click Add Port.
4. Select Standard TCP/IP Port and click New Port.
5. Click Next at the next window and then type the IP Address of your printer. When done, click Next & Close. Inputting the IP address allows Windows to communicate with the printer over your local network seamlessly, removing the dependency on potentially flawed port discovery processes.
6. Ensure that the printer is set to print to the printer's IP Address and click Apply.
7. Now, go to the General tab and click Print Test Page to test if your printer is working. If not, continue to the next method.
Method 2. Remove and Reinstall the Printer.
1. Navigate to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners
2. Click on the printer and then click Remove. Removing the printer clears its driver and configuration settings, thereby eliminating any corrupted setup files that may impede its functionality.
3. Then click Add device and let Windows search for the printer. Once done, click Install to reinstall the printer drivers. Reinstallation ensures that the most compatible and updated drivers are associated with your printer, resolving issues stemming from outdated or incompatible driver software.
Method 3. Install Printer's Manufacturer Drivers.
1. Go to Start > Settings, select Bluetooth & devices on the left and then open Printers & scanners on the right.
2. Select your Printer and then click Remove.
3a. After removing the printer, press Windows 
+ R keys to open the run command box.
3b. Type "printmanagement.msc" to open Print Management. This tool provides a centralized management interface for handling printer drivers, queues, and sharing settings efficiently.
4. Select "All Drivers" in the left pane of the window, then (on the right), right-click on all the drivers associated with your printer and select Remove Driver Package. Removing these ensures no remnants of old drivers remain that could conflict with newly installed software.
5. After removing the printer driver package, restart your computer. Restarting is necessary to flush the system cache and apply changes effectively.
6. Finally, go to the printer manufacturer's support website and download the latest driver for your printer. Then, install it and check if the issue is resolved. Installation of official drivers ensures optimal compatibility and functionality by leveraging manufacturer-specific enhancements and fixes.
Method 4: Rollback to Windows 11 v23H2 (Last Resort)
The final method to fix the printing issue is to rollback your system to the previous version of Windows 11 (23H2), until Microsoft fixes the bug. By reverting, you re-establish a known, stable environment pre-dating the problematic system update, allowing regular operations to resume until a patch is issued. To do that:
- Go to Settings > System > Recovery and click Go back.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to rollback to the previous version of Windows 11.
Method 5: Update Windows 11 to the Latest Patch
1. Navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and click Check for Updates. This step checks for newer updates that might contain bug fixes for your specific printing issue. Installing the latest updates ensures your system incorporates Microsoft's newly released patches and improvements. For further assistance, refer to Microsoft’s official support page: [Update Windows]
By employing these methods, I hope you can resolve the network printing issues you're experiencing after updating to Windows 11 24H2. Please leave a comment in the comment section below or even better, like and share this blog post on social networks to help spread the word about this problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my network printer stop working after installing Windows 11 24H2?
The issue mainly arises when the printer is set to print via a WSD (IPP) port instead of a TCP/IP port, which causes communication problems between Windows 11 24H2 and the network printer.
How can I configure the printer to use its IP address on Windows 11 24H2?
To configure the printer to use its IP address, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Printers & scanners. Click on your printer, open Printer Properties, and select the Ports tab. Add a new port by selecting 'Standard TCP/IP Port', enter the printer's IP address, and ensure the printer is set to this IP address.
What should I do if changing the port to the printer's IP address doesn't work?
If changing the port doesn't resolve the issue, try removing and reinstalling the printer, or install the printer's manufacturer drivers. If this fails, as a last resort, consider rolling back to Windows 11 version 23H2 until the bug is fixed.
How can I rollback to a previous version of Windows if the printer issue persists?
To rollback to Windows 11 version 23H2, navigate to Settings > System > Recovery and click 'Go back'. Follow the on-screen instructions to revert to the previous version.
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