When installing a new printer on your network, it can be tempting to use Windows’
“Add Printer” feature and let the operating system find the device automatically. While this may seem like the quickest option, it can often lead to printing problems further down the line.
Set Your Own Default Printer
Windows includes a setting that allows it to manage your default printer automatically. While this may sound helpful, it can often cause confusion by continually changing your default printer based on the last device used.
We recommend disabling this option and selecting your preferred default printer manually. This ensures documents are always sent to the correct device and avoids unnecessary frustration when printing.
Browser Printing Can Cause Conflicts
Many web browsers include their own print dialogue and printing preferences. Whilst these can be useful in some situations, they may not always communicate correctly with the printer driver installed on your PC.
If you experience printing issues from websites or web-based applications, look for the option to “Print using system dialogue” or similar. This ensures the print job is processed using the manufacturer’s driver and settings rather than the browser’s own print engine.
Don’t Forget a Static IP Address
A static IP address is another important part of a reliable printing setup. If a printer’s IP address changes, computers may no longer know where to send print jobs, resulting in offline printers and failed printing.
Assigning a static IP address ensures the printer always remains at the same network location, allowing computers and print servers to communicate with it consistently.
