Printer connected via Ethernet but not listed — network discovery fix

Joe B.

Reviewed for technical accuracy

Specialities: Windows 11/10, macOS (Sonoma/Ventura/Monterey), Printers, Networking (TCP/IP/DNS), Office Equipment

Ethernet printer not showing on Windows 10/Windows 11 or Mac — enable Network Discovery, add by IP (HP, Epson, Canon, Brother)

Technician

Hey! We’ll get your network printer not listed issue fixed. Tell me the brand (HP, Epson, Canon, Brother), and whether you’re on Windows 10, Windows 11, or macOS. Is the printer connected by Ethernet directly to the router/switch, and do you know its IP address?

Customer

Windows 11 desktop. HP LaserJet with an Ethernet cable into our router. The web page shows an IP if I enter it in the browser, but in Add a device Windows can’t find the printer. It’s not listed in Printers & scanners either.

Technician

Got it. When an Ethernet printer is connected but not discovered, the usual causes are:
• Network Discovery turned off or Function Discovery Provider Host services stopped.
• Windows tries WSD discovery only; the fix is to add by TCP/IP address using a Standard TCP/IP Port (RAW 9100 or LPR).
• Firewall blocks File & Printer Sharing, or SNMP is disabled causing port detection to fail.
• Printer is on a different subnet/VLAN or the router has client isolation.
• DNS/DHCP keeps changing the IP; you need a static IP or DHCP reservation.
Quick plan: enable discovery, verify IP with a ping, add the printer by IP, and switch from WSD to Standard TCP/IP Port (or IPP) with the correct driver.

Customer

How do I add it by IP and avoid WSD?

Technician

Add network printer by TCP/IP — Windows 10/11:
1) Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners → Add device → click Add manually.
2) Choose Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname → Device type: TCP/IP Device → enter the printer IP address (from the printer’s test page or router).
3) Uncheck Query the printer and automatically select the driver so it doesn’t create a WSD port. Windows will create a Standard TCP/IP Port (RAW 9100).
4) Pick the vendor driver (HP PCL/PS, Epson ESC/P, Canon UFR II, Brother) or install the latest package. If detection fails, try LPR with queue lp or raw, and enable SNMP status if supported.

Customer

Pinging the IP works. But Windows still doesn’t see it automatically. Could discovery be off?

Technician

Yes. Turn on Network Discovery and the discovery services:
• Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settings → enable Network discovery and File and printer sharing for your active profile.
• Press Win+R, run services.msc, set Function Discovery Provider Host and Function Discovery Resource Publication to Automatic (Delayed Start) and start them.
• In Windows Defender Firewall → Allow an app, allow File and Printer Sharing, Network Discovery, and Bonjour/mDNS if you use AirPrint/IPP Everywhere.

Customer

The IP sometimes changes after reboot and then printing fails. Can I make it stick?

Technician

Absolutely. Set a static IP on the printer (outside DHCP pool) or create a DHCP reservation in your router so the address never changes. Update the Windows queue to use that IP on the Standard TCP/IP Port (RAW 9100). This prevents “printer offline” after DHCP renewals.

Customer

What about macOS — the Mac can open the printer’s web page but it’s not listed in Printers & Scanners.

Technician

Add by IP on macOS: System Settings → Printers & Scanners → Add Printer → tab IP → enter the printer’s IP address.
Protocol: choose IPP or HP Jetdirect – Socket (RAW 9100). Name it and select the specific driver (or AirPrint/IPP Everywhere if supported). If Bonjour discovery fails, adding by IP is the reliable path.

Customer

Could our network be the problem? The office uses two VLANs and a managed switch.

Technician

Good call. Discovery protocols (WSD/Bonjour/mDNS/LLMNR) are typically link-local and don’t cross subnets. If the printer sits on a different VLAN/subnet, use TCP/IP by IP address and ensure inter-VLAN routing and firewall rules allow TCP 9100, 631 (IPP), 515 (LPR), and SNMP 161. Disable AP/Client isolation on access points for wired↔wireless visibility.

Customer

I added by IP, but jobs still fail. The port shows WSD. Do I need to change it?

Technician

Yes. Open Printer properties → Ports → Add Port… → Standard TCP/IP Port → enter the IP → finish (RAW 9100). Check SNMP Status Enabled if your model supports it. Then Delete the WSD port. This stabilizes printing and fixes “printer connected via Ethernet but not listed” symptoms.

Customer

Anything else to reset on Windows if the queue is stuck?

Technician

If jobs hang, reset the Print Spooler (Services → restart) and clear %systemroot%\\System32\\spool\\PRINTERS. Update the NIC driver on the PC, and install the latest printer firmware/driver. For HP/Epson/Canon/Brother, their Full Feature packages include IPP/JetDirect support and better SNMP.

Customer

Great — adding by TCP/IP plus a static IP did it. The printer now shows online on all PCs and Macs.

Technician

Summary: If your printer is connected by Ethernet but not listed, enable Network Discovery, allow it through the firewall, then add the printer by IP address using a Standard TCP/IP Port (RAW 9100/LPR) or IPP. Assign a static IP/DHCP reservation, verify DNS, and avoid WSD ports. Need help mapping ports or VLANs? Open the chat.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Accepted fix when Ethernet printer not showing (Windows 10/Windows 11/macOS): turn on Network Discovery and File & Printer Sharing, then add the printer by TCP/IP address (create a Standard TCP/IP Port, RAW 9100 or IPP/LPR). Assign a static IP or DHCP reservation, allow ports through the firewall, and avoid WSD ports for reliability.

FAQ

Step-by-step (Windows 10/11)

1. Turn on Network Discovery and File and Printer Sharing in Advanced sharing settings.
2. Restart services: Function Discovery Provider Host and Function Discovery Resource Publication.
3. Click Add device → Add manually → Add a printer using a TCP/IP address → create a Standard TCP/IP Port (RAW 9100 or LPR).
4. Select the correct vendor driver; enable SNMP status. Remove any WSD port.

Step-by-step (macOS)

1. Open System Settings → Printers & Scanners → Add Printer.
2. Choose the IP tab, enter the printer IP, and select IPP or HP Jetdirect – Socket.
3. Pick the model driver or AirPrint/IPP Everywhere, then print a test page.

Sources

• Microsoft — Turn on Network Discovery & File and Printer Sharing
• Microsoft — Add a printer using a TCP/IP address or hostname
• Apple — Add a network printer by IP on Mac
• HP — Jetdirect/Standard TCP/IP Port setup
• Epson — Network printer installation
• Canon — UFR II network setup
• Brother — TCP/IP printing and driver downloads

Matt ● replies in < 1 min

Technician Expert

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Trusted by 27,000+ customers

Alex · Expert's Assistant

Start Chat

5 Tech Support Specialists are online right now.