Windows · Devices
Manage Printers & Scanners
Printers & Scanners settings let you add, remove, and manage printing and scanning devices connected via USB, network, or Bluetooth. From here you can set a default printer, view print queues, and run scans directly from connected multi-function devices.
How to open Printers & Scanners
- Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Printers & scanners.
- Click 'Add device' and select your printer or scanner from the discovered list.
- Set your preferred default printer, or leave Windows to manage it automatically.
- Click a specific printer and select 'Open print queue' to manage pending jobs.
What you should know
- Add a new printer or scanner automatically, or manually by IP address for network devices.
- Set a specific printer as default, or let Windows manage it automatically based on recent use.
- Open the print queue to pause, cancel, or reorder pending print jobs.
- Run the printer troubleshooter directly from a device's settings page if it stops responding.
'Let Windows manage my default printer' automatically switches your default to whichever printer you used most recently, which can be surprising if you occasionally print to a different device than usual.
Why it matters
Printer configuration is one of the more persistently frustrating parts of using a PC, and this settings page is the first stop for both setting up a new device and troubleshooting one that's stopped responding. Getting the default printer right avoids the common annoyance of documents silently printing to the wrong device, especially in homes or offices with more than one printer. Because scanning shares the same underlying device list, keeping printer entries current also keeps scanning functional without needing separate configuration.
Best practices
- Turn off 'Let Windows manage my default printer' if you consistently use the same printer and don't want it to switch automatically.
- Remove old or disconnected printer entries so the device list and default printer selection stay accurate.
- Use the manufacturer's full driver package instead of the generic Windows driver if you need advanced features like duplex printing or ink-level monitoring.
- Clear a stuck print queue promptly, since a jammed job can block every subsequent print request to that printer.
Common problems and fixes
- A print job is stuck and nothing else will print to that printer.
- Open the print queue for that printer, cancel the stuck job, and if it won't clear, restart the Print Spooler service via services.msc.
- Windows keeps switching the default printer unexpectedly.
- Turn off 'Let Windows manage my default printer' under Printers & scanners settings and manually select your preferred default instead.
- A network printer shows offline even though it's powered on.
- Confirm the printer and PC are on the same network, then remove and re-add the printer, or run the built-in printer troubleshooter from its device page.
Tips and tricks
- Use 'Add a Bluetooth, wireless, or network-discoverable printer' if a printer isn't found automatically the first time.
- Right-click a printer in the device list and choose 'Printer properties' for advanced options like paper size defaults and print quality that aren't in the main Settings page.
Frequently asked questions
Why does scanning open a different app than the printer settings page?
Windows Scan is a separate app for the actual scanning workflow, but it pulls its device list from the same scanners configured under Printers & scanners settings.
Can I print to a printer that's connected to someone else's PC on the network?
Yes, if that PC has printer sharing enabled and your network profile is set to Private, you can add their shared printer from your own device list.
Do I need to install manufacturer software, or does Windows handle everything?
Windows' built-in drivers handle basic printing for most modern printers, but manufacturer software often unlocks extra features like ink-level monitoring, advanced scanning modes, or wireless setup wizards.
Related settings
- Bluetooth SettingsBluetooth settings allow you to connect wireless devices such as headphones, keyboards, mice, and smartphones to your PC. You can pair, remove, and manage connected devices easily.
- WiFi ConnectionWiFi Connection settings allow you to view, connect to, and manage wireless networks. You can configure automatic connections, set network priorities, and troubleshoot connectivity issues from this panel.
- Windows SecurityWindows Security is the built-in protection center for virus & threat protection, firewall & network protection, and device health. It runs Microsoft Defender Antivirus and lets you review recent scans and threats.
More Devices guides for Windows
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