Printer Communication Not Available

Trying to print something then you receive an error message saying that your printer is not communicating with your computer, then it suggests some troubleshooting steps like reseating the usb cable, power off then on the printer. But doesn't work.

You tried to call the tech support team of your printer manufacturer but your on hold for atleast 1hour.

Well, you can try these steps first.

Cause of printer communication error:

1. Printer might be offline

2. Firewall issue

3. Printer driver issue.

Let's first eliminate the factors that would cause the printer not to communicate with your computer.

Most printer thend to be offline when, you removed the usb cable, then place it back to the computer maybe after a week.

To check if the printer is online, follow this steps:

If you're using Win Xp

1. Click on start > control panel > printers and faxes

2. Look for your printer, make sure that there's a green check on it, it has a 0 and it says ready.

3. IF it doesn't have a check, it has number on it and it says offline, try these steps/

3.1 Right click on your printer > set as default

3.2 Right click on your printer > cancel all documents

3.3 Right click on your printer > make this printer online

If your using Win Vista

1. Click on pearl > on start search type "printers" then click on the printer link at the top of the column.

2. Look for your printer, make sure that there's a green check on it, it has a 0 and it says ready.

3. IF it doesn't have a check, it has number on it and it says offline, try these steps/

3.1 Right click on your printer > set as default

3.2 Right click on your printer > cancel all documents

3.3 Right click on your printer > make this printer online

Now after verifying that the printer is online, set as default and with no pending documents, and still same issue, let's check the firewall.

If you're not familiar what firewall you're using, mostly it's integrated with the antivirus you're using.

You can check the firewall by accessing the GUI (Graphical User Interface) of your antivirus.

Look for firewall, then click on settings or advance under the firewall link.

Try to look for an option that would say "program permission" or just simply "programs".

Look for any program there that would have a status that says "blocked"

If you find one, usually, the antivirus program would indicate what program is being blocked.

Check if it would have any indication or label of your printer.

Also check for the "printercomms" program or "spool".

These programs are for your printer.

Now after verifying that the printer is not blocked by your firewall.

It's time for us to isolate the driver issue.

If you still have the cd of the printer, that would be great.

If you don't have the cd of the printer, well you can visit the support site of the manufacturer of the printer to download the driver.

After preparing the cd or downloading the driver.

Uninstall the printer driver, unplug the usb cable. DO NOT restart the computer.

Why? we need to configure something first.

1. Click on start > computer > open drive C

2. Open Windows folder > System32 > Spool

3. Open Drivers folder

3.1 Rename the w32x86 folder to w32x86.old

Go back to Spool folder

4. Open Prtprocs

4.1 Rename the w32x86 folder to w32x86.old

Then restart the computer.

After restarting the computer, DON'T connect the printer usb cable.

Install the driver first, wait 'till the installer ask you to connect the usb cable.

After installing the printer driver, print the test page.

Basically this step would fix this issue.

But if it doesn't fix the issue.

The're three hardware factors and one software factor that would cause it.

Hardware

1. Defective USB Cable

2. Defective printer

3. Defective USB port

Software

1. Corrupt Operating System

IF buying new usb cable or trying different port won't fix the issue.

Then it would be the printer or the operating system (your windows)

The easiest to isolate would be buying new printer, but if you don't have the budget. 

Then you need to back up your files, and we need to reformatt your hard drive and reinstall your windows back.

But as I've said the first steps that I've asked you to perform wherein you need to uninstall,rename folder and reinstall the driver of the printer would fix the issue. You don't need to worry about reformatting your hard drive or buying a new printer.

Because, 99% of this kind of issue can be fixed by the steps that I listed.

If you would have any questions, feel free to post it here.

Thanks and have a great day.