If you are facing the issue of Lexmark printer not connecting to the network, you are not alone. Many users experience network problems with their printers at some point. It can be frustrating when you are required to print homework, office work, or important documents and your printer fails to connect. The good news is that most network problems are easy to solve. You must understand the causes of the problem and follow the right procedures to solve it.

Network issues mostly occur due to low Wi-Fi signals, wrong passwords, outdated drivers, conflicts with routers, or minor system issues. In this comprehensive guide, you will learn how to solve the problem by understanding the cause of the issue.

Understanding Why the Printer Is Not Connecting

When your device displays “Lexmark printer won’t connect to wifi,” it indicates that the printer is unable to communicate effectively with your wireless router. This could be due to a weak Wi-Fi signal. In some instances, people often enter the wrong network password. In other cases, the printer might retain old network settings that are no longer compatible with the current router settings.

Before applying advanced solutions, it is always important to perform basic troubleshooting. Basic troubleshooting often involves simple steps such as restarting devices or reconnecting to Wi-Fi.

Check the Wi-Fi Network and Signal Strength

The first thing you need to do is verify that your internet connection is in order. You can do this by trying to connect your phone or laptop to the same Wi-Fi network that your printer is connected to. If you are unable to connect, it is probably a problem with your router and not your printer.

Unplug your router from the power source. Wait for 30 seconds and then plug it back in. This will allow your router to fully reboot before you test your printer again. Move your printer closer to your router to get a better signal. Thick walls, metal objects, and other electronic devices can interfere with wireless signals.

A strong Wi-Fi signal is necessary for your printer to work properly.

Reconnect the Printer to the Wireless Network

If your Wi-Fi is working properly but the printer still does not connect, reconnect it manually. Open the printer control panel and go to the network or wireless settings menu. Select the wireless setup option and choose your network name from the list.

Enter your Wi-Fi password carefully. Even one incorrect letter or number can stop the connection. After entering the password, confirm the setup and wait for the printer to connect.

Restart both the printer and your computer after reconnecting. This refreshes the network configuration and often solves temporary glitches.

Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers can prevent your printer from connecting properly. Drivers act as communication tools between your computer and printer. If they are outdated, the system may fail to detect the printer correctly.

Visit the official website of Lexmark and download the latest driver for your specific printer model. Install it carefully and restart your computer after installation.

If updating does not help, uninstall the existing driver completely and then install a fresh copy. This removes corrupted files and restores proper communication between devices.

Fix Printer Showing Offline on Windows

Sometimes the printer connects to Wi-Fi but appears offline on your computer. Many users complain that their Lexmark printer keeps saying offline even though it is turned on.

If you are using Windows and facing the Lexmark printer offline Windows 10 problem, open the Control Panel and go to Devices and Printers. Right-click your printer and select “See what’s printing.” Click on the Printer option in the top menu and uncheck “Use Printer Offline.”

You can also restart the Print Spooler service. Open the Run box, type services.msc, and find Print Spooler in the list. Right-click it and choose Restart. This action refreshes the printer communication system.

Fix Printer Offline Issue on Mac

Mac users may face the Lexmark printer offline issue. If this happens, open System Settings and select Printers & Scanners. Remove your printer from the list and then add it again using the plus button.

Re-adding the printer creates a fresh connection with updated network settings. If your Lexmark printer keeps going offline, the problem may be caused by unstable Wi-Fi or router interruptions. Keeping the printer within proper range and avoiding network overload can help maintain a stable connection.

Printer Connected but Not Printing

Sometimes the printer connects successfully but does not print anything. The Lexmark printer connected but not printing issue usually happens because of a stuck print queue or incorrect default printer selection.

Open the print queue and cancel all pending print jobs. Make sure your Lexmark printer is set as the default printer. Restart your computer and printer before trying again.

Printing a test page from printer settings can confirm whether the issue is fixed.

Check for Paper Jam Errors

Hardware issues can sometimes appear along with network problems. Users occasionally experience Lexmark printer jamming while troubleshooting connectivity errors.

Open the printer carefully and check inside for stuck paper. Even a small piece of torn paper can block the sensors. Some users see the Lexmark printer paper jam, but no paper message. This usually means tiny paper fragments remain inside the rollers. Remove them gently and restart the printer.

Clearing jam errors ensures the printer functions properly after reconnecting to the network.

Solve IP Address Conflicts

Every device connected to your network has a unique IP address. If two devices share the same address, connection errors can happen.

You can print a network configuration page from the printer menu to find its IP address. Enter this IP address into your web browser to access printer settings. Assign a manual IP address that does not conflict with other devices. This helps maintain a stable and permanent connection.

Check Firewall and Antivirus Settings

Security software may block printer communication without showing clear warnings. Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus program and test the printer connection.

If the printer connects successfully, add it to the firewall exception list and enable security again. This step ensures safe and smooth network communication.

Improve Router Settings and Compatibility

Some printers work best on a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band. If your router operates only on 5GHz, switch it to dual-band mode. Then reconnect the printer using the 2.4GHz network.

Updating your router firmware can also improve device compatibility. Firmware updates fix bugs and improve overall network stability.

Reset Network Settings on the Printer

If none of the previous steps solve the issue, reset the printer’s network settings. Open the printer menu, go to network settings, and select restore network defaults.

After resetting, reconnect the printer to your Wi-Fi network from the beginning. This removes incorrect configurations and fixes most connection problems.

Prevent Future Network Problems

You can reduce future issues by keeping your printer firmware updated and maintaining a stable Wi-Fi connection. Avoid changing your router password frequently without updating printer settings. Restart your router occasionally to refresh the network.

Place the printer in a location where it receives a strong signal. Regular maintenance keeps your printer working smoothly.

Conclusion

However, when you encounter a connection problem with your network, it can be frustrating. But the truth is that most printer problems are easy to fix. By ensuring that your Wi-Fi connection is stable, reconnecting your printer, updating your drivers, modifying your system settings, and resetting your network settings when necessary, you will be able to fix your printer connection problem quickly.

Therefore, remain patient and follow the steps above. By so doing, your Lexmark printer will always be connected and ready to print whenever you need it.