computer is not communicating with my printer

This usually means the printer cannot communicate with the PC. Common causes in Windows are a connection problem, the printer being in an error/offline state, or a driver/spooler issue. The provided guidance does not identify malware as a cause.

Try these steps in order:

1. Restart the printer
   • Turn off the printer.
   • Unplug it, wait 30 seconds, plug it back in, and turn it on.
2. Check the connection
   • USB printer: make sure the cable is firmly connected to both the printer and the PC.
   • Wi‑Fi printer: make sure the printer’s wireless option is on and that the PC is connected to the same Wi‑Fi network as the printer.
   • If the printer has a wireless connectivity test in its menu, run it.
3. Check printer status in Windows
   • Open Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & scanners.
   • Select the printer and check whether it appears offline or in an error state.
   • If the printer status shows Stopped, add the Status Reason column to look for errors such as Out of toner or Off-line.
   • Also check for simple printer-side issues like low paper, low ink/toner, open cover, or paper jam.
4. Run the Windows printer troubleshooter
   • Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
   • Select Run next to Printer.
   • On Windows 10, the troubleshooting guidance also points to the automated printer troubleshooter in the Get Help app.
5. Remove and reinstall the printer
   • Go to Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Printers & scanners.
   • Select the printer, then choose Remove.
   • After removal, select Add device and let Windows search for the printer again.
   • If Windows does not find it, select Add manually.
6. Reinstall or update the driver
   • In Device Manager, right-click the printer and select Uninstall device.
   • Restart the PC, then reinstall the printer driver.
   • If the latest OEM driver still fails, try a generic in-box driver.
7. Clear and restart the Print Spooler
   • Warning: this clears pending print jobs.
   • Search for services and open Services.
   • Double-click Print Spooler and select Stop.
   • In the taskbar search box, enter %WINDIR%\system32\spool\printers and delete all files in that folder.
   • Go back to Services, open Print Spooler again, select Start, set Startup Type to Automatic, and select OK.
8. Print a test page
   • After reinstalling, print a test page to confirm the printer is working.

If the printer works from other devices but not from this PC, that points more to a Windows printer setup, driver, or spooler problem on this computer than to the printer itself.

• Printer isn't responding
• Fix printer connection and printing problems in Windows
• Fix printer connection and printing problems in Windows