1. Open the Control Panel by clicking on the Start menu and selecting Control Panel from the drop-down list.
2. In the Control Panel, select Devices and Printers.
3. In the Devices and Printers window, look for your printer in the list of installed devices. If you’re having difficulty recognizing the printer, be sure to read the manufacturer information, model number, and other specifications listed for each device.
4. When you have identified your printer, right click on it and select Printer Properties from the pop-up menu. This will open a new window with several tabs.
5. The General tab is selected by default. Here, you can take basic action such as printing a test page or setting your printer as the default printer.
6. If something more complex is going wrong with your printer, select the Advanced tab. Here, you can choose advanced settings like setting duplex printing and paper size as well as uninstall and reinstall the printer drivers.
7. Select the Ports tab if you need to configure port settings. This tab allows you to specify which port the printer uses as well as add a port and configure port settings.
8. The Port Monitor tab is used to view the status of the port that your printer is using and provides a log of the communication between the printer and the computer. This can be helpful when diagnosing connection issues.
9. The Sharing tab allows you to share the printer and manage any print queues. Here, you can also enable branches office printing for printers connected over the network.
10. Finally, the Security tab shows you what users/groups are allowed to use the printer as well as any special requirements to use the printer such as authentication.
By troubleshooting through the Control Panel, you can quickly identify and solve common printer problems without needing to call customer service or go through complex processes. If your printer is still not functioning after troubleshooting, then it may be time to consider a new printer or contacting a professional for assistance.