Solved Printers missing in Devices and Printers

stevejum

New Member
Messages
6
New printers do not display in Windows 8.1 Devices and Printers (no icon):
New Dell, clean install:
- Reinstalled Dell Factory Image
- Updated to Windows 8.1
- Installed Office 2013
- Added BUILT-IN Windows Driver for LaserJet 5P/5MP
- Added Epson driver for Windows 8 64 bit from Epson website
Neither printer shows in Devices and Printers.
1 Devices and Printers.JPG

Rebooted. Stopped and started print spooler. Checked registry and all printers, including the new ones, appear to be listed in all the correct registry areas.

Open Notepad, select Print, both printers are listed.
2 Notepad Printers.JPG

Both printers print. When in Notepad, select Print, I can right click on the printer, select properties, and control the printer, print test pages, change drivers and preferences, etc.
3 Notepad Printers - Properties.JPG

The ONLY PROBLEM is the printers do not show in Devices and Printers, so I cannot control them from there. Problem is reported in Microsoft Forums but of course replies are stupid ... like "did you try to reboot?" and "try using a supported driver". In my case the LaserJet driver is a Windows 8 built-in driver.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Arghhh !!!

I've been trying to use Windows 8.1 from the Desktop, and the printers don't show up. I just found that if I go to the idiotic Apps screen, use the Charms bar (Windows +K), and select Printers ... all the printers are listed there. So it appears Microsoft broke Windows 8.1 Devices and Printers?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Hi stevejum, not sure where you're coming from but all printers should show up in the Devices & Printers menu...

Printers.JPG

If not, something is wrong or they're not installed.

Also, when I go to the apps screen and hit Windows + K, than click printers, I get a message saying can only print from apps an no choice of printers are presented, which is the way it should work. So that also seems odd. Perhaps you mean the PC & Devices screen... ???

PC and Devices Screen.JPG

Thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built by me
    CPU
    Haswell i7-4770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte G1 Sniper 5 (BIOS F9)
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator Platinum 32 gig (1866MHz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire R9-280 Vapor X
    Sound Card
    Soundblaster ZXR
    Monitor(s) Displays
    NEC PA242W - 24 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 512gig 850 Pro SSD (OS), Samsung 256gig 840 Pro SSD (photo editing), Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB HD
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 1000 G2
    Case
    Cooler Master HAF X
    Cooling
    Corsair H100i Closed Loop Cooler
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech Performance MX
    Internet Speed
    High Speed
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Norton Security
    Other Info
    RAM Speed: 1866MHZ @ 9-10-10-27-2T, 1.5v
I guess you have tried "Add" printer and letting it search?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Use several different computers during a day, so specs are irrelevant.
Yes Sygnus21, all printers should show up in the Devices and Printers ... but as you see in the screenshots I posted, the new printers I added do not show up in Devices and Printers. That is why I created the thread ... they don't show up.
Yet, if you look at the screenshot from Notepad (or any other program ... and even the Windows 8.1 Apps) the printers show up when you go to print.
You will also see from my screen shots that I can even right click on the printer, open properties, set defaults, print a test page, etc.

This means the printers are installed, they work, and I can mess with all the normal properties, clear the queue, etc. But only if I go into an application program, select print, and then open the printer properties.

As you will also see, this is a fresh reinstall (I did the reinstall because I was trying to see if it would fix this problem).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
DaveHC ... why would I want to add a new printer? The printers are already installed ... look at the screen shots. One of the missing printers is even a Microsoft Windows 8 built-in driver ... it came with Windows 8. The printers are installed and work ... they are just missing in Devices and Printers. If I use the ridiculous Windows 8 Metro screen, the printers are listed there as well. They are even listed in Device Manager.
As I stated, they are missing in Devices and Printers ... everything else works. Other people are reporting this problem (Google search) ... but no one has suggested a reasonable alternative.
Does anyone know where in the registry Devices and Printers is looking?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
Yes Sygnus21, all printers should show up in the Devices and Printers ... but as you see in the screenshots I posted, the new printers I added do not show up in Devices and Printers. That is why I created the thread ... they don't show up.
Yet, if you look at the screenshot from Notepad (or any other program ... and even the Windows 8.1 Apps) the printers show up when you go to print.
You will also see from my screen shots that I can even right click on the printer, open properties, set defaults, print a test page, etc.

This means the printers are installed, they work, and I can mess with all the normal properties, clear the queue, etc. But only if I go into an application program, select print, and then open the printer properties.

As you will also see, this is a fresh reinstall (I did the reinstall because I was trying to see if it would fix this problem).

My main issue was with this statement...

So it appears Microsoft broke Windows 8.1 Devices and Printers?

which isn't the case.

At any rate, why your printer isn't showing is a mystery as it most definitely should be showing, unless there's a drive issue. But no, Microsoft didn't brake Devices & Printers. And just for FYI, I just installed my 3880 about 3 weeks ago.

Anyway I've no further suggestions so I'm out.

Peace :cool:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built by me
    CPU
    Haswell i7-4770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte G1 Sniper 5 (BIOS F9)
    Memory
    Corsair Dominator Platinum 32 gig (1866MHz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire R9-280 Vapor X
    Sound Card
    Soundblaster ZXR
    Monitor(s) Displays
    NEC PA242W - 24 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 512gig 850 Pro SSD (OS), Samsung 256gig 840 Pro SSD (photo editing), Western Digital Caviar Black 2TB HD
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 1000 G2
    Case
    Cooler Master HAF X
    Cooling
    Corsair H100i Closed Loop Cooler
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech Performance MX
    Internet Speed
    High Speed
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Norton Security
    Other Info
    RAM Speed: 1866MHZ @ 9-10-10-27-2T, 1.5v
When printer drivers are installed from M$ they do not show in Ctr. Panel/ Devices and printers when they are not connected, on and initialized.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
I found the problem. I removed the CutePDF printer, and all of the devices now show up. It seems CutePDF Printer has a new release out, when I installed that the devices still show up. So, it seems the problem was the previous release of CutePDF Printer breaks Devices and Printers in Windows 8/8.1.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
I found the problem. I removed the CutePDF printer, and all of the devices now show up. It seems CutePDF Printer has a new release out, when I installed that the devices still show up. So, it seems the problem was the previous release of CutePDF Printer breaks Devices and Printers in Windows 8/8.1.
It was probably taking real printers default slot.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home made
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen7 2700x
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime x470 Pro
    Memory
    16GB Kingston 3600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus strix 570 OC 4gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 evo 250GB
    Silicon Power V70 240GB SSD
    WD 1 TB Blue
    WD 2 TB Blue
    Bunch of backup HDDs.
    PSU
    Sharkoon, Silent Storm 660W
    Case
    Raidmax
    Cooling
    CCM Nepton 140xl
    Internet Speed
    40/2 Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    WD
When printer drivers are installed from M$ they do not show in Ctr. Panel/ Devices and printers when they are not connected, on and initialized.
? That seems to be different from my setup? I have just checked, after seeing your post. At the moment I have three devices/printers (among others) showing, which are not connected in any way.
Anyway, not important any more. The OP has solved his own problem.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Use several different computers during a day, so specs are irrelevant.
This is still happening in Windows 10. There's a discrepancy between the "Devices and Printers" section (old style of windows NT/2000/XP/7) and what was called the Metro interface (start menu | settings gear | devices and printers) introduced in Windows 8. It's two OS's in one, and they don't talk back and forth. I'm still trying to find the optimal configuration flow for devices. Microsoft seems to be pushing more functionality into the Metro area, so they make sure the Metro can read the old areas. That doesn't happen in reverse (Old areas reading settings from the Metro). The challenge continues :(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Everything
This is completely insane. My printers WERE in devices and printers, now they have suddenly disappeared. (Still working and showing in application print dialogs)

I have tried checking all sorts of things – computer Management/device installed service, device set up manager, device association service, all set to the correct settings (not that I had changed any),

have found only one bizarre thing that gets them to reappear (but unworkable). When I right click the printer in the drop-down menu in the print dialogue in notepad, and change the port to LPT1, appears in devices in printers. When I change it back to USB001 (which it has to be, and was showing in devices and printers before with this setting), it disappears from the devices and printers window again.

I have 5 printers installed each with custom settings, it will take hours to reinstall them and still no guarantee they will appear in the devices and printers window. Even more bizarre, however when I did try clicking "add printer", lo and behold, all 5 turned up there! But trying to click on and reinstall one did not make it appear in the devices and printers window.

WTF -???
Printer-not in devices and printers list-installed printers all in Add Printer dialog @2017-05-0.png

Printer- missing from Devices and Printers @2017-05-01, 10_44_13.png

Hasn't solved anyone else's, davehc - can this be marked as UNSOLVED?

When printer drivers are installed from M$ they do not show in Ctr. Panel/ Devices and printers when they are not connected, on and initialized.
? That seems to be different from my setup? I have just checked, after seeing your post. At the moment I have three devices/printers (among others) showing, which are not connected in any way.
Anyway, not important any more. The OP has solved his own problem.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hp Pavilion touchscreen
    CPU
    AMD
    Memory
    16 GB/1 TB
    Browser
    ie
Back
Top