Epson printer issues with Windows 11

My new laptop came with Windows installed, and my Epson tank printer wouldn't work with it. I loved my Epson printer and was lucky that it was still under warranty, so I upgraded to the new version of the Epson ET4800. Loved that printer, too, but I had the same issues. Neither Windows nor Epson seemed to have an answer for me, and the drivers provided didn't work unless I went through a routine of turning off and turning on my laptop every time I wanted to print.

I finally gave up, returned the newer Epson, and bought an HP Smart Tank printer. So far, after a week and lots of printing full pages of color art pieces, it's working. It's quick, the color is great, it prints double-sided, and I'm still holding my breath and crossing my fingers, but I'll tell you, I don't want any new updates for a while!

I had an Epson ET3750 which worked great with Windows 10, then I got a new laptop with Windows 11 already installed and the printer wouldn't work anymore. Like you, I had to jump through hoops each time I wanted to print. I finally called Costco and they approved a return, full refund, even after 2.5 years. Then I bought the Epson ET4550. I thought that since it's a new model, it would work with Windows 11 which had been out for a while. Nope, same issues. Now I don't know what to do. I love my laptop with Windows 11 and I love my printer, but... It's such a time-suck each and every day that I need to print. I've re-installed the printer 5 or 6 times, and it always works afterward. Until the next day. It's like it will connect but then loses the connection. Or I turn off my laptop, with all my work on the screen, hoping I don't lose anything, and restart the laptop, then the printer is sometimes connected. It seems to be a driver and/or connection issue. I'm thinking I'll probably end up returning the Epson and buying an HP tank printer. I'd rather get this problem solved and keep the Epson.

I just ran into this, yesterday, March 17th 2023.

I've also been on Windows 11 since perhaps a few months after it came out and I never had an issue until a recent update in March of 2023.

After checking the cable, I noticed my 5 USB port was slightly loose, however, I doubt this was the cause of this issue.

Just like most software, it's fickle - and "installing just right" is often times a thing, unfortunately.

I solved this issue by installing the same software 3 times, over and over and over.

Updating & downloading a [different file], and installing it again and again.

Meaning, I had the - 1st Install, which failed, then "Install (1)" software download file / name repeated, which failed, and finally Install (2) which worked.

Window search printer - set Install (3) as default.

I removed them from the icon tray (as 3 showed up)

• Monitor preferences
• Remove icon tray
• Cleaned up the 2 that weren't being used.

I just ran into this yesterday, fixed it, corrected the duplicate icon tray, reset the default printer, and cleaned it up.

* PC/Windows 11/Epson XP-6100

Hope this may help.

JMC

I have just spent 2 full days trying to get an epson workforce to print from windows 11. I have done everything at least 5 times -- installed uninstalled gone into the router as admin - everything I have been told or have read -- and the printer says it's ready -- then I tell it to print and ERROR Communication Error I'm at my wits end!! HELP PLEASE

Just like others in this thread, 

when I try to use the windows shared printer feature (an Epson WF-2830 via USB), which is connected to a windows-10 primary computer on a private peer to peer network, windows 11 hits a wall and never connects to the 

printer device. All I get is a mini advisory window that says in part . . . "windows could not connect to the 

printer". That windows 11 OS is running on a surface pro 8 tablet computer which works A-OK as a peer in our at home wired network. The printer address is \primary computer name\EPSON6C9720 

and works just fine doing the shared device [printer] connection routine on the other win 10 peer computers in our household. 

What is it about windows 11 that blocks adding a shared printer device?