Written By 
Reviewed By Miley Raven
Introduction
When your Epson printer is not connecting to your computer, it can bring your printing tasks to a standstill. Whether you’re using a USB cable, Wi-Fi, or Ethernet connection, several factors—such as outdated drivers, network issues, or incorrect settings—can cause this problem. Fortunately, with the right troubleshooting steps, you can get your Epson printer connected again and back to work.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through common reasons and proven fixes for Epson printer connection issues on both Windows and Mac computers.
Common Reasons Why Your Epson Printer Won’t Connect to the Computer
Before jumping into solutions, it’s helpful to know why the issue occurs:
- Loose or faulty USB cables
- Wi-Fi network issues or incorrect network settings
- Outdated or corrupted printer drivers
- Firewall or antivirus blocking printer communication
- Printer not set as default
- Pending Windows or macOS updates
- Printer firmware issues
Epson Printer Not Connecting to Computer? Here’s How to Fix It
Solution 1: Check the Physical Connections (USB or Ethernet)
If you’re using a USB cable to connect your Epson printer:
- Disconnect and reconnect the USB cable from both the printer and computer.
- Ensure the cable is not damaged—try using another USB cable if available.
- Plug the cable directly into the computer (avoid USB hubs).
For Ethernet connections:
- Make sure the cable is securely connected to the printer and router.
- Check the Ethernet port lights—if they’re off, replace the cable.
Solution 2: Verify Your Wi-Fi Connection
If your printer is wireless, ensure it’s connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer:
- On the printer’s control panel, go to Network Settings.
- Check the Wi-Fi status—if it’s disconnected, reconnect using your network’s SSID and password.
- Restart your Wi-Fi router and printer.
- Avoid public or guest networks—these may block printer communication.
Solution 3: Set Your Epson Printer as the Default
Sometimes, your computer may be sending print jobs to another printer:
On Windows:
- Press Windows + R, type
control printers, and press Enter. - Right-click your Epson printer and select Set as default printer.
On Mac:
- Go to Apple Menu > System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
- Select your Epson printer and make it the default.
Solution 4: Update or Reinstall Epson Printer Drivers
An outdated or corrupted driver is one of the most common causes of connection issues.
On Windows:
- Press Windows + X and choose Device Manager.
- Expand Printers, right-click your Epson printer, and select Update driver.
- If updating doesn’t work, uninstall the driver and reinstall the latest version from Epson’s official website.
On Mac:
- Go to System Settings > Printers & Scanners.
- Remove the printer by clicking –.
- Add it again using the + button—macOS will automatically download the correct driver.
Solution 5: Restart the Print Spooler Service (Windows)
If the print spooler service is stuck, your printer may fail to connect.
- Press Windows + R, type
services.msc, and press Enter. - Scroll down to Print Spooler, right-click, and choose Restart.
- Try printing again.
Solution 6: Disable Firewall or Antivirus Temporarily
Some security programs can block the printer from communicating with your computer.
- Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus software.
- Try printing a test page.
- If the printer works, adjust your security settings to allow printer communication before re-enabling your protection.
Solution 7: Check for System and Firmware Updates
Outdated operating systems or printer firmware can cause compatibility issues.
- Windows: Go to Settings > Windows Update and install available updates.
- Mac: Go to Apple Menu > System Settings > General > Software Update.
- Printer Firmware: Check the printer’s control panel or Epson’s website for firmware updates.
Solution 8: Remove and Re-add the Printer
If none of the above works, try removing the printer entirely and adding it again.
On Windows:
- Go to Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners.
- Select your Epson printer and click Remove device.
- Restart your PC and add the printer again.
On Mac:
- Go to Printers & Scanners in System Settings.
- Remove the printer and then add it again.
Additional Tips for Reliable Connection
- Keep your printer close to the Wi-Fi router to avoid signal drops.
- Avoid connecting multiple printers at the same time to prevent confusion.
- Regularly restart both your printer and router.
- Use only genuine Epson drivers to prevent compatibility issues.
When to Contact Epson Support
If your Epson printer still won’t connect after trying all the above steps, the issue may be hardware-related or require advanced troubleshooting. Contact Epson’s official support for guidance and possible repairs.
FAQs: Epson Printer Not Connecting to Computer
Q1. Why is my Epson printer not showing up on my computer?
This can happen due to driver issues, incorrect connection settings, or network problems. Try updating drivers and checking your connections.
Q2. How do I reconnect my Epson printer to my computer?
You can reconnect by re-adding the printer in your computer’s printer settings or reconfiguring the Wi-Fi connection.
Q3. Can antivirus software block my Epson printer?
Yes, sometimes firewalls or antivirus software may block communication. Temporarily disable them to test.
Q4. Do I need the internet for my Epson printer to connect?
Not necessarily. USB connections do not require internet, but Wi-Fi printing requires a stable network connection.
Q5. Will resetting my Epson printer fix connection issues?
Resetting can help by restoring default network and printer settings, but you’ll need to reconfigure your connection afterward.
